Course Catalog

General Information

Mission

The mission of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is to promote community, educational and economic development by providing a highly trained workforce in our 11-county service area and throughout the State of Georgia. The college fulfills the mission by supporting student success and providing technical and academic instruction, through traditional and distance education delivery methods, leading to associate degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit; customized training for new and existing industries; professional and personal development through continuing education programs; and adult education services to meet the needs of citizens, businesses, and industry in the service area.

History of the College

On September 4, 2008, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia (SBTCSG) approved the merger of East Central Technical College and Valdosta Technical College to be effective July 1, 2010. Almost a year to the day the merger was announced, the local board, with input from stakeholders, decided on a new name for the combined college – Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has four primary campuses – Ben Hill-Irwin campus, Coffee campus, Cook County Workforce Development Center, and the Valdosta campus - as well as one extended campus, the Moody Air Force Base location in Valdosta. The college provides Adult Education services in each of the 11 counties served by the college, including Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, and Wilcox counties.

Individually, both East Central Technical College (ECTC) and Valdosta Technical College (VTC) have long, meaningful histories within the communities they have served. The rich history between these colleges and the local communities demonstrate how important training, and educational opportunities, have been, and will continue to be, for the citizens of the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College region.

East Central Technical College

East Central Technical College (formerly Ben Hill-Irwin Technical Institute and East Central Technical Institute) was established in 1966. Ben Hill-Irwin Tech officially opened its doors to its first full-time student body of approximately 200 on September 21, 1970, occupying three buildings with large vocational-technical labs and a small administration area. The first full-time graduates received their diplomas on September 15, 1971.

During the next 30 years, East Central Technical College underwent enormous transformation and growth. On June 10, 1977, Ben Hill-Irwin Tech held groundbreaking ceremonies for a new $600,000 expansion to house new programs. The Charles Harris Learning Center opened in 1994 housing an auditorium, classrooms, and office space. In 1995, the Board of Regents deeded land, originally part of South Georgia College, to DTAE for the Coffee Campus. On November 7, 1996, the name officially changed to East Central Technical Institute. Further county expansions occurred including the addition of the Wilcox Lifelong Learning Center in Rochelle. On April 10, 2002, the state allocated $10,000,000 for a new technology building on the Ben Hill-Irwin campus, which was completed in 2006.

On February 1, 2006, Dr. Ray Perren became the fourth president of East Central Technical College. He remained in this position until June 2008, when he left to serve at the Technical College System of Georgia as Assistant Commissioner of Technical Education. Interim Presidents were employed by ECTC until the merger of East Central Technical College and Valdosta Technical College, when Dr. Perren once again took over the presidency.

Valdosta Technical College

Valdosta Technical Institute was founded as a cooperative agreement by the state legislature, the Valdosta Board of Education, and the Lowndes County Board of Education in 1963 to serve the citizens of Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Lanier, and Lowndes counties. From 37 students utilizing one building on 10.5 acres of land to over 2,600 students per 14 quarter occupying eight buildings on 135 acres, Valdosta Tech’s original 40,300 square foot building, Berrien Hall, opened for classes in September of 1963.

The first addition to the campus was a 7,200 square foot building to house the Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Welding programs and is now known as Berrien Hall. The vigorous economic growth of the area, sustained by a workforce that included an increasing number of technically trained Valdosta Tech graduates, initiated a need for an additional expansion that almost doubled the size of the facility. In 1984, the college completed its second addition to house the horticulture, electronics, and health programs.

A few short years later in 1989, a 7,800 square foot addition for the Auto Collision program completed the U-shape of Berrien Hall. In 1989 the Georgia Legislature provided $175,000 for the purchase of 80.2 acres of land to continue the growth of the campus. Governor Zell Miller then approved a $7.64 million dollar, 83,770 square foot expansion which would be the second largest technical school expansion at that time. From this expansion, Valdosta Tech Buildings 300, 400, and 500 were opened in 1997.

The Cook County Workforce Development Center in Sparks opened its doors as a branch campus of Valdosta Tech in June 2002. Valdosta Tech opened an office at Moody Air Force Base in February 2004. The Adult Education program eventually relocated to its current location on East Park Avenue. In December 2007, Valdosta Technical College was accredited and approved for unconditional membership with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC).

In February 2009, Lowndes Hall officially opened housing the administrative offices of the President, business programs, a new 7,000 square foot library, an auditorium, early childhood education, drafting technology, and printing and graphics programs. A new student center was also constructed and includes 6,625 square feet of space for the Upper Crust, security offices, and offices for student activities.

Dr. Ray Perren became President of Valdosta Technical College on July 1, 2009, following the retirement of interim president, Dr. F.D. Toth.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

Dr. Ray Perren served as President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College until May 2013. In April 2013, Dr. Shawn Utley was appointed as interim president of Wiregrass Georgia Tech, effective May 1, 2013. Dr. Utley was Vice President of Economic Development for Moultrie Technical College.

Dr. Tina K. Anderson was appointed the new president of Wiregrass Georgia Tech on June 6, 2013, and assumed her duties on Monday, July 1, 2013. Before coming to WGTC, Dr. Anderson was president at Moultrie Technical College.

Following Dr. Andersons’s retirement in 2021, Mrs. DeAnnia Clements was appointed as interim president. In October 2021, the Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia appointed DeAnnia Clements as the third President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

Administrative Organization

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is under the policy and administrative control of the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia. This Board was established with the responsibility for the governance and management of all the state-supported technical colleges. The Board executes its responsibilities in two primary ways: (A.) by adopting policies to provide general guidelines for governing the system, and (B). by electing a Commissioner and, under his/her supervision, presidents of the colleges, who are given the responsibility and the authority for the administration of the system in accord with the adopted policies.

State Board of The Technical College System of Georgia (SBTCSG)

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a unit within the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The governing board for the college is the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia.

The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia became a statutory body on July 1, 1986, and has subsequently assumed direct governance of the majority of Georgia technical colleges and associated university technical divisions. The SBTCSG was established with the responsibility for the governance and management of all state supported technical and adult colleges. The Board executes its responsibilities in two primary ways:

By adopting policies to provide general guidelines for governing the system;
By appointing a Commissioner, who is given the responsibility and authority for the administration of the system in accordance with the adopted policies, and who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Technical College System of Georgia.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is authorized by the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to award associate degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit.

SBTCSG Board of Directors

First Congressional District; Mike Long, Jesup
Second Congressional District; Carvel Lewis, Quitman
Third Congressional District; Frank S. “Chunk” Newman, LaGrange
Fourth Congressional District; Fran Millar, Dunwoody
Fifth Congressional District; Joseph Hsiao, Atlanta
Sixth Congressional District; Corey Ferguson, Atlanta
Seventh Congressional District; Buzz Law, Alpharetta
Eighth Congressional District; Calder Clay, Macon
Ninth Congressional District; Lee Chapman, Gainesville
Tenth Congressional District; Robert “Eddie” Ausband, McDonough
Eleventh Congressional District; Jay Cunningham, Kennesaw
Twelfth Congressional District; Doug Lambert, Statesboro
Thirteenth Congressional District; Dr. Artesius Miller, Atlanta
Fourteenth Congressional District; John Thomas, Dalton

Members at Large

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Board of Directors

While the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia (SBTCSG) is the governing Board of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, a local board of directors operates in conjunction with the State Board to accomplish the mission of the college. Local boards were established for each college based on the philosophy that decisions regarding individual schools should be made at the local level, and a portion of the authority and responsibility of governance should be delegated to the local boards. The State Board delegates to the Local Board of Directors the authority to develop local policies and procedures to meet the needs of the college’s service area.

WGTC Local Board of Directors

Joe Brownlee, Lowndes County
Rebecca Corbett, Echols County
Mary Crawford, Lowndes County
Ronnie Dean, Lanier County
Dr. Rodney Green, Lowndes County
Sue Lane Hughes, Coffee County (Chair)
Amanda Ramshead, Cook County
Matt Seale, Irwin County
Bradfield Shealy, Brooks County
Lisa Sumner, Berrien County
Mark Sutton, Ben Hill and Wilcox Counties
Dr. Joi Williams, Cook County

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation North, Inc.

Established in April 1985, the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation North, Inc. is a non-profit organization operating in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation is organized under Georgia law and is fiscally and organizationally separate from the College. Governed by a Local Board of Trustees, the Foundation is dedicated to promoting education at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. It plays a key role in soliciting and administering contributions from industry, businesses, foundations, and individuals who support the College. The Foundation North specifically serves the College's Ben Hill-Irwin and Coffee campuses.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation South, Inc.

Established in 1988, the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation South, Inc. is a non-profit organization operating in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Foundation South is organized under Georgia law and is fiscally and organizationally separate from the College. The Foundation provides academic and institutional support, scholarships, student assistance, endowments, and promotes the overall mission of the College. The Board of Trustees South, comprised of distinguished business and civic leaders from the community, is empowered to solicit and administer donations to the Foundation. This board specifically supports the College’s Valdosta and Cook campuses.

Program Advisory Committees

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College utilizes program advisory committees, consisting of at least three representatives of local industry, to ensure that the college maintains programs that are meeting the current training needs in each field of specialization. This enables programs to adapt to changes that occur in the field. These advisory committees, composed of members of business, industry, and education from the 11-county service area, meet twice each year.

Campus Information

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) conducts instructional activities at four primary campuses, with extension sites across nearly every county within its 11-county service area. The college also offers Adult Education and Economic Development, and Continuing Education courses at numerous locations throughout the region, supporting lifelong learning and workforce development.

Primary Campuses

Ben Hill-Irwin Campus
667 Perry House Road, Fitzgerald, GA 31750
Phone: 229-468-2000 | Fax: 229-468-2110
Coffee Campus
706 West Baker Highway, Douglas, GA 31533
Phone: 912-389-4303 | Fax: 912-389-4308
Cook County Workforce Development Center
1676 North Elm Street, Sparks, GA 31647
Phone: 229-549-7368 | Fax: 229-549-6286
Valdosta Campus
4089 Val Tech Road, Valdosta, GA 31602
Phone: 229-333-2100 | Fax: 229-333-2129

Additional Instructional Sites and Adult Education Services Locations

Atkinson County Adult Education Center
59 North Pearson Street, Pearson, GA 31642
Phone: 912-422-7004
Ben Hill County Adult Education Center
667 Perry House Road, Fitzgerald, GA 31750
Phone: 229-468-2272
Ben Hill County - Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Library
123 N. Main Street, Fitzgerald, GA 31750
Phone: 229-468-2272
Berrien County Adult Education Center
100 West Marion Avenue, Nashville, GA 31639
Phone: 229-686-3745
Brooks County Adult Education Center
702 Barwick Road, Quitman, GA 31643
Phone: 229-709-9608
Coffee County Adult Education Center
706 West Baker Highway, Douglas, GA 31533
Phone: 229-468-2263
Irwin County Adult Education Center
202 E. Valdosta Avenue, Ocilla, GA 31774
Phone: 229-468-2272
Lanier County Adult Education Center
209 US Highway 221, Lakeland, GA 31635
Phone: 229-333-2123
Lowndes County – Horne Learning Center
930 Old Statenville Road, Valdosta, GA 31601
Phone: 229-333-8597, ext. 2638
Lowndes County Adult Education Center
4089 Val Tech Road (Wiregrass Valdosta Campus), Berrien Hall, Building 200, Valdosta, GA 31602
Phone: 229-333-2123
Lowndes County – Valdosta Department of Labor
221 S. Ashley Street, Room #125, Valdosta, GA 31602
Phone: 229-333-2123
Lowndes County – Valdosta Goodwill Center
100 North St. Augustine Road, Valdosta, GA 31602
Phone: 229-333-2123

Campus Amenities

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s four main campuses are designed to support student success and foster a welcoming, engaging environment.

Each campus offers comfortable student lounge areas for studying, meeting with classmates, or simply relaxing between classes. Vending machines with snacks and drinks are conveniently located in public gathering spaces on all campuses. In addition, wireless internet access is available at many locations to help students stay connected and productive.

These spaces are intended to encourage both academic focus and social interaction, creating a well-rounded college experience.

Campus Student Centers

Valdosta Campus Student Center

The Student Center on the Valdosta campus is located between Berrien Hall and Morris Hall. The lounge provides a comfortable place for students to eat, meet, and mingle, or to just relax between classes. The lounge offers seating inside or outside under a covered patio. In addition, the student center houses the office of the Director of Campus Life, the Student Government Association, and the Wiregrass SkillsUSA Chapter. Periodically, the Culinary Arts program will host luncheons/dinners. Tickets can be purchased in the bookstore.

Ben Hill-Irwin Campus

Dorminy-Mixon Hall has an ultra-modern high-tech student lounge with televisions, a cyber-café, vending machines, and microwave. In addition, there are study areas in the student lounge and on the patio adjacent to the student center. Charles Harris Learning Center has vending machines, microwaves, and the bookstore also offers a variety of food and drink options. Additionally, outside the Charles Harris Learning Center is a covered gazebo where students enjoy meeting, studying, relaxing, and eating.

Coffee Campus

The Coffee campus has two open areas for studying and eating. Building 100 also has an open area available to students for computer usage. Adjacent to this area is a covered patio with picnic tables and benches for relaxing and use during class breaks. Vending machines, televisions, and microwaves are located in this area as well.

Cook Campus

A snack area and student lounge are located in the main building, offering convenient vending options and a microwave for student use. Additionally, outdoor seating is available for use when weather permits.

Bulletin Boards and Posters

All postings must be approved by the Director of Marketing and Public Relations before being displayed. Once approved, important student information is shared across multiple platforms. The Department of Enrollment Management maintains bulletin boards at all campus locations, ensuring students have access to up-to-date financial aid details, registration guidelines, club announcements, and other relevant updates. Career Services provides job listings on the college website, offering students direct access to employment opportunities. Additionally, posters promoting special events and services are strategically placed throughout the college to keep students well-informed. Any postings that have not been approved or are deemed inappropriate will be removed at the discretion of College Administration.

Telephones

Students may use designated phones for local calls at the following locations: the Valdosta Campus Student Center near Morris Hall, the Ben Hill-Irwin Campus Welcome Center, and the Coffee Campus Student Center. For emergencies, department assistants may assist with phone access.

Lost and Found

The central location for lost and found items is the WGTC Police Department. Items will be managed in accordance with Chapter 13 (Property and Evidence) of the WGTC Police Department Policy and Procedures Manual.

Designated Smoking Areas

Smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated areas on each campus. Maps are available at reception desks. Smoking is prohibited in buildings and non-designated areas.

Bookstore

The bookstores are owned and operated by WGTC and are located on the Valdosta, Ben Hill-Irwin, and Coffee campuses. They offer required textbooks, supplies, and a variety of logo and gift items. Normal operating hours are posted at each location and are subject to change during holidays, semester breaks, and at the beginning of the semester. Books for the Cook campus can be purchased online and delivered to the Cook campus.

Current booklists are available online before the start of each semester. Information regarding title, author, ISBN, and pricing (when available) is listed alphabetically by course number.

Library

The mission of the Library/Media Services Center at WGTC is to foster lifelong learning by providing resources and services that support the diverse academic and professional needs of students, faculty, and staff. The library offers a current and relevant collection, state-of-the-art technology, and services that align with the college’s mission across all campuses.

A variety of learning resources are readily accessible to students, faculty, staff, business and industry, and the general public. WGTC students, faculty, and staff can access any WGTC library with a valid WGTC ID card. Additionally, current students, faculty, and staff have borrowing privileges at Valdosta State University’s Odum Library, South Georgia College’s Smith Library, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s (ABAC) Library, and all Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) libraries.

Wiregrass libraries include:

Lewis I. Brinson, Sr. Library – Located in the Charles Harris Learning Center, Room 101, on the Ben Hill-Irwin Campus.
Coffee Campus Library – Located in Coffee Hall, Room 2125.
Cook County Library Resource Center – Located in Room 204 at the Cook County Workforce Development Center (CCWDC).
Valdosta Campus Library – Located in Morris Hall, Room 7147A.

Hours of operation vary by location. Scheduled library hours are posted at each library and available online at https://www.wiregrass.edu/library/locations-and-hours.

Voter Registration

Available through One-Stop Enrollment and Success Centers. Georgia residents age 18+ may register free of charge using forms provided on campus.

Campus Tours and Visits

WGTC encourages visitations from individuals and groups on Wednesdays through scheduled appointments. Prospective students, groups, clubs, and organizations wishing to visit any campus location may contact the Recruitment Coordinator or visit the website to request a tour.

For the safety of all individuals, the following guidelines regarding children and pets should be observed while on campus:

Children are not allowed on campus unless accompanied by an adult and may not be left unattended at any time. Children should not be taken into classrooms, working lab areas, computer labs, or testing areas.
Service animals are allowed on campus only if required to assist persons with disabilities.

Free Speech

Students at colleges within the Technical College System of Georgia are free to express themselves in a manner that aligns with the guidelines applicable to the public and in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

The outdoor areas of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, in line with TCSG Procedure 6.8.4p, are designated as a traditional public forum. Therefore, members of the public may engage in expressive activities outdoors, provided they do not interfere with the college’s operations.

Free speech and expressive activities must:

Not attract a crowd larger than can be safely contained in the location of the activity.
Not significantly disrupt college activities, including classes or previously scheduled campus events.
Not use amplification devices.
Not obstruct entrances or exits to buildings, and must remain at least 20 feet from any entrances or exits.
Not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
Not include camping or the use of temporary shelters (e.g., tents).
Not affix items to any permanent structures or grounds (e.g., railings, buildings, greenways, trees).
Not involve lighting any material on fire, except for hand-held candles, which require special permission (open flames and bonfires are prohibited).
Not last longer than eight hours within a 24-hour period.
Not involve solicitations or promotion of commercial enterprises.
Not represent a threat to public safety or violate the policies and procedures set by the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia or others under its authority.

College Police have the authority to end any activity and expel individuals who violate the policies and procedures set forth by the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia.

Policy on Catalog and Requirements

Each student at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is responsible for learning and observing all current published regulations and procedures required by the institution and by the program in which he or she is enrolled. A current published regulation will not be waived, nor will an exception be granted, because a student pleads ignorance of the regulation or asserts that he or she was not informed of specific requirements by a faculty member or by an institution staff member.

Each student must become familiar with the offerings and requirements of his or her program of study and the contents of the schedule of classes, which may contain notices of changes in academic regulations or procedures.

While the provision of the appropriate catalog will normally be applied as stated, WGTC reserves the right to change any provision listed in a catalog, including but not limited to academic requirements for graduation, without actual notice to individual students. WGTC will make reasonable efforts to keep students advised of any such changes, and information on changes made by WGTC will be available in the Office of Academic Affairs in conjunction with Enrollment Management. Each student must be aware that it is his or her own responsibility to remain informed about current graduation requirements for his or her particular program.

A candidate for graduation is normally subject to the catalog requirements that are in effect at the time of initial enrollment. However, in consultation with his or her advisor, a student may elect to satisfy the graduation requirements specified in any of the catalogs in effect subsequent to the time of the initial enrollment, with the following exception: a student who has a break in enrollment is subject to the requirements in effect at the time of readmission.