Greenville Tech customizes education with entrepreneurial spirit

Innovation and responsiveness fuel student and community success.

Greenville Technical College (GTC) is redefining the landscape of community colleges with its unique blend of programs tailored to meet community needs. Unlike traditional schools with standard curricula, GTC works closely with businesses and all stakeholders to modify its programs to suit evolving market demands. Driven by this entrepreneurial spirit to be continuously relevant, the college is significantly raising the quality of life of students and society.

“We can turn on a dime as technology changes rapidly,” says Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College. “If we are going to train people to be knowledgeable about the latest equipment or process, then we need to change, not on an annual basis but almost on a monthly basis. That ability to evolve as the need dictates and the entrepreneurial spirit to make change happen are two big keys to our continued success.”

As a comprehensive community college with more than 20,000 students, GTC has three major focus areas: transfer education, manufacturing and health care. While the college helps students move on to universities, it also serves manufacturing enterprises in South Carolina, such as BMW and Michelin. The college also boasts a broad allied health program, including radiology, dental hygiene and respiratory, occupational and physical therapy.

One of GTC’s standout achievements is its Center for Manufacturing Innovation, which opened in 2016. Primarily built to change how education is delivered in manufacturing-related programs, the center’s forward-thinking approach addresses the growing demand for skilled technicians in a rapidly evolving industry. Additionally, GTC is the only two-year college in South Carolina offering a baccalaureate degree in advanced manufacturing technology, further cementing its role as a leader in the field.

Beyond manufacturing, the college is making significant strides in health care education. This is exemplified by GTC’s recently opened Prisma Health Center for Health & Life Sciences, which is a product of close collaboration with the area’s largest health care provider to meet community needs.

“We’re in place to serve the community, so as it changes, it’s incumbent upon us to change as well,” says Dr. Miller. “My vision is to increase that energy behind our entrepreneurial spirit to be able to implement services even quicker as the demand requires. We’re committed to empowering individuals, changing lives and reshaping communities.”

Learn more about Greenville Technical College at www.gvltec.edu.