Community College Month
April is Community College Month and an opportune time to reflect on our community
and technical colleges and the impact they have on our local communities.
The South Carolina Technical College System is South Carolina’s largest higher education sector, educating nearly 175,000 South Carolinians each year. Your hometown technical college, Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC), is the fourth largest technical college in South Carolina (out of 16) and one of the most affordable colleges in the state. HGTC has a local economic impact of $12 million, and we have graduated 25,000 students since 1966. 90% of our graduates live, work and thrive right here in South Carolina, and 94% of our graduates successfully find work or transfer to a four-year university.
My colleagues and I strive to remove barriers to education for all. The HGTC Foundation awards $400,000 annually in student scholarships. Our new Distance Learning Institute makes higher education a reality for the working parent who doesn’t have time to come to campus. Our unique, hands-on programs inspire learning in individuals not meant for the traditional university setting.
Our college is driven by more than 600 employees dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our students. Our faculty and staff go above and beyond to ensure student success beyond the classroom. We are with our students on every step of the way, from the enrollment process to applying for financial aid to launching their careers.
I am blessed to get to witness firsthand the successes of our students, and I invite you to join our mission in helping your neighbors improve their lives through education. I’m asking you to go beyond encouraging a family member or friend to consider one of our 65 programs. Engage with people you encounter on a regular basis – at your favorite restaurant, in the grocery store, or at work. You’ll be amazed at what you learn about someone through small talk, and how easily they’ll share their hopes and dreams with you. Listen for that opportunity to encourage them and direct them on the right path towards education, and help us help them reach their goals.
With HGTC pride,
Dr. Marilyn “Murph” Fore
President, Horry-Georgetown Technical College