Lanier Technical College

Lanier Technical College refers to an entire unit of schools within the Technical College System of Georgia, which provides higher education opportunities to students across seven counties in the northern section of the state. The main and original campus is situated in the smaller city of Oakwood, within close distance to Gainesville State College on what is called Landrum Education Drive. In addition, there are the Forsyth, Winder-Barrow, Dawson, and Jackson campuses that expand the college's outreach to more students.

Lanier Technical College has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, in order to receive the right to grant technical certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees. Furthermore, the majority of the school's individual programs have been accredited or approved by their respective accreditation organizations. Tuition-free adult education courses are taught at the existing campuses and the Adult Education Center within Banks and Dawson counties. Lanier Technical College offers students opportunity to receive GED and ESL classes within specialized facilities in Hall and Lumpkin counties too.

First chartered in 1964 by the Georgia State Board of Education, the school began as the Gainesville-Hall County Area Vocational Trade School. Within ten months, the name was changed to Lanier Area Vocational-Technical School. In the fall of 1966, the first classes were held within various local schools, civic buildings, and even churches. It finally moved into its current Oakwood location in January of 1967, in order to accommodate for immediate popularity of its services. Since then, the college has grown to spread across northern Georgia and stretch the number of programs offered.

Besides general education courses, Lanier Technical College also offers a variety of associate degree programs. Business management, accounting, nursing, dental hygiene, cosmetology, criminal justice, early childhood education, and technology are just a few that the school has to offer. However, the college is most known for the wide array of technical and industrial certificates they award students. These include automotive technology, drafting, electrical systems technology, horticulture, industrial systems, and welding technology.

The college hosts a unique Lanier Tech Foundation, which is funded through donations from businesses, organizations, and individuals in the community. The foundation provides scholarships and tuition assistance to deserving students that attend the college. Scholarships offered by the foundations dramatically help to supplement federal or state grants and educational expenses to lighten the financial burden that is troublesome to many students.

Lanier Technical College also understands the significance of providing student organizations to foster growth, learning, and service to others on their campus. Some of the organizations that students can join include the Criminal Justice Technology Club, Delta Epsilon Chi, National Adult Education Honor Society, and Phi Beta Lambda. Students can even take charge by starting a new club that will be suitable to their own individual interests. Through leadership and campus service, students learn valuable workforce skills that will lead to career success.