College Profile
College Profile
- About the President
- Administrative Staff
- Locations
- College History
- Mission Statement
- Philosophy
- Service Delivery Area
About the President
Ms. Kathy S. Love serves as president of Flint River Technical College, a position she has held since March of 2002. Her career in technical education began in 1984 when she began teaching Computer Programming as an adjunct instructor at South Georgia Technical Institute. Other positions held in the progression of her career include Computer Information Systems Instructor and Vice President of Administrative Services at South Georgia Technical College as well as Vice President of Instructional and Student Services at Middle Georgia Technical College.
As president of Flint River Technical College, Ms. Love oversees the technical education, adult literacy and economic development operations in the three county service area of Upson, Talbot and Taylor counties. In addition to the main campus in Upson County, Flint River Technical College has technical education centers in Upson, Talbot and Taylor counties.
She earned her Specialist in Education from Columbus State University, her M.S. in Business Administration and B.S. in Computer Science from Georgia Southwestern State University. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Northcentral University.
Administration
Kathy S. Love
President
Wayne K. Sandefur
Vice President of Administrative Services
Mark Andrews
Vice President of Economic Development
Jim Wheeless
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Gary Williams
Vice President for Student Affairs
Len Moore
Director of Adult Literacy
Steve Brown
Director of Information Services
Steve Cromer
Dean of Instruction
Kay Williamson
Director of Public Relations and Information
Locations
Main Campus |
Taylor County Center |
Talbot County Center |
| Community Development Center 115 East Main Street Thomaston, GA 30286 Phone: 706.646.6148 Fax: 706.646.6126 |
Flint Hill Center 173 Highway 85 N Shiloh, GA 31827 Phone: 706.665.2206 |
College History
In April 1961, an agreement between Upson County and the City of Thomaston created the Upson County Area Vocational-Technical School. Upson Tech was the seventh vocational-technical school established in Georgia. After two years of planning and organizing, the school began classes in September of 1963, in a temporary building in north Thomaston. The school offered four programs of study.
In September 1964, a new facility was completed on U.S. Highway 19 South that is now considered the main campus. The new facility allowed for programs of instruction to increase to 11. The school served an eight-county area. Additional facilities were added in 1975, 1978, 1991, and 1996.
The institution received its first accreditation with The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 1973. The institution maintained its accreditation with SACS until 1995 when the accreditation was transferred to the accrediting commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
In 1988, the Georgia Legislature created a new Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education. The change allowed local schools to become a part of a unified state system with governance vested in a state board. This change became effective for this institution in 1988. The change also caused the institution’s name to become Upson Technical Institute.
Since 1963, several programs of instruction have been added to reflect the changing employment opportunities in the institution’s service area. Likewise, programs have been deleted due to a lack of student interest and/or employer needs.
In 1989, in addition to the main campus located in Upson County, a major effort was begun to establish outreach centers in the three other primary counties served by the institution. As a result of this effort, the institution developed full-time services in Crawford, Taylor, and Talbot counties. Associated with this expansion of services, the institution changed its name to Flint River Technical Institute. The name was selected to reflect the geographic area served by the institution that borders the Flint River.
Major changes occurred in the year 2000. Flint River Technical Institute applied for and received permission to offer the Associate of Applied Technology degree in Computer Information Systems, Electronics, Early Childhood Care and Education, and Secretarial Science. The first associate degree general education courses were offered in Spring Quarter, beginning March 20, 2000. On July 6, 2000, the name of Flint River Technical Institute officially became Flint River Technical College.
Continued growth necessitated further expansion in 2004, when the Flint River Technical College Foundation acquired the former Thomaston Mills corporate office complex. This location in downtown Thomaston served as new locations for Adult Education, Economic Development Programs, and the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. The Community Development Center (as named) provided more space to deliver these programs and freed up locations on main campus for new credit classes.
In 2006, the Georgia Legislature approved funding for a new industrial training center to be placed on the main campus location with approved funding of $7.8 million. A new building (Building D) consisting of 16,000 square feet was also started in 2006. This building was built to house the Welding and Joining Technology program as well as other programs. It was also in 2006 that the Associate of Applied Technology degree was changed to Associate of Applied Science degree.
Mission Statement
The mission of Flint River Technical College is to promote the economic development of Upson, Talbot, and Taylor counties by providing quality academic and technical education. The College will provide certificate programs, diploma programs, associate degrees, adult literacy education, continuing education, and economic development services that meet the needs of citizens and employers.
Philosophy
Flint River Technical College subscribes to the belief that its primary mission is to provide technical and adult education for the citizens in its service area. The College’s programs of study should enable students to develop skills, knowledge, attitudes, and work ethics essential for securing and maintaining employment.
Further, it will enable them to function as responsible citizens in the community. The College will provide special support services that identify and remove potential barriers for individuals demonstrating a genuine desire to pursue their educational and career goals.
It is firmly believed that students successfully completing a program of study will have a greater opportunity of employment, a better understanding of their role in society, and a better quality of life in their community. Flint River Technical College is dedicated to developing and maintaining an active partnership with local businesses, industries, governmental and public service agencies. This shall be accomplished by active participation of employees in the exchanging of ideas and information with community organizations.
It is the College’s belief that this active partnership will assure a greater quality and validity of its programs and services. In addition, the partnership will contribute to an environment which maximizes the effectiveness of each party’s effort toward community economic growth and development. Concurrent with the College’s dedication to serve the needs of students and the community is its commitment to serve the needs of employees.
This concern for employee needs will include opportunities for professional development and leadership. Also, it will establish a positive work environment conducive to intellectual exchanges of ideas and institutional involvement.
Service Delivery Area
Flint River Technical College serves Taylor, Talbot and Upson Counties. Click the map below for a larger image.
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