The value a college brings to a community

Dalton State began serving our community in 1967, thanks to the vision and support of local leaders who saw the value of having a local college. Dalton State’s support from the regional community is unrivaled, and there is no question the college’s value to the community persists today.

The college will soon begin an exercise to envision our future and how we serve Northwest Georgia and beyond. Enduring priorities for the college will be providing access to affordable educational opportunities, producing career-ready graduates, and supporting positive community and economic development.

Dalton State serves nearly 5,000 students through campuses in Dalton and Ellijay and online, and we are on a growth trajectory as industry and the population in Northwest Georgia grow. Early indicators for this spring’s enrollment show a 10 percent increase over last spring, following an eight percent enrollment increase in fall 2023 over the previous year. Ninety-one percent of our students are from Northwest Georgia, and half of our students are first-generation college students. With a commitment to providing access to affordable, high-quality academic programs, Dalton State is a national leader in affordability, ranked in the top 10 percent of the most affordable public four-year or above institutions in the U.S. by the Department of Education. We graduate nearly 750 students each year, and 83 percent graduate without student loan debt.

In consultation with local industries, we have developed academic programs that are aligned with regional workforce and community needs, including logistics and supply chain management, information technology, environmental sustainability, and engineering technology. Through coursework, internships and hands-on learning opportunities, students develop expertise and practical experience that prepare them to enter these high-demand fields.

Since being welcomed by the campus and community last year, I have met so many graduates serving in leadership roles across our region. Our most recent graduate survey shows that 67 percent of graduates are employed in Dalton and surrounding areas. From K-12 systems to the healthcare system to entrepreneurs, our alumni represent Dalton State in every facet of the region, and they are thoughtful, competent leaders who can think across all dimensions of an issue and develop solutions.

Importantly, the college’s role extends beyond producing graduates to enter the workforce – we work to support the region that so many of our graduates call home. Supporting local industry, business owners, and entrepreneurs is a vital component of a thriving community, and we are committed to serving as an economic anchor and driver of the community’s infrastructure to help our region continue to prosper.

As an example, we recently celebrated a new partnership with UGA’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which brings a new SBDC office to Dalton State’s Gignilliat Hall and Wright School of Business. The SBDC will provide training and consulting services to local businesses and entrepreneurs, and bilingual services are available. The resources and services the SBDC will bring to our community will help local businesses grow and thrive in the years ahead.

I am grateful to those who had the foresight to understand the value a college would bring to the community all those decades ago and for the extraordinary support for the college that continues today. We are dedicated to preserving that value now and as we envision the future.