"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
Lao-tzu (604 B.C. to 531 B.C.), founder of Taoism
What does Lao-tzu have to do with your dream of a college education? If lack of money , time or academic preparation has been holding you back , you might want to take your first step at a two-year institution.
The University System of Georgia has 13 state and two-year colleges whose mission is to increase access and remove barriers to higher education. A two-year degree prepares a student to enter the work force or to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree.
“There are lots of advantages to choosing a two-year college,” said Rob Watts, interim president of Georgia Perimeter College (GPC), the largest state college in the system, with 24,000 students on five campuses. “We usually talk about accessibility first. We have five campuses in metro Atlanta and we offer classes in the daytime, nighttime, on weekends and online.”
Whether you have small children, a job and need a school close to home — or in your home — GPC can meet your needs.
“If your education budget is limited, you’re going to find a two-year college more affordable,” Watts said. “You can attend classes here full time for a little over $100 a week or about $3,400 a year. Compared to the $60,000 you’ll pay at some private four-year universities, that’s a real bargain.”
In these tough economic times, more recent high school graduates are choosing to live at home and complete a two-year program , then transfer to a four-year school for their junior and senior years. It can make a huge difference in the total price of earning a four-year degree, and in the amount of debt a student incurs.
Transfer Admission Guarantee programs and transfer articulation agreements make it easy for students who complete programs at two-year schools and technical colleges to transfer to a number of public and private colleges and universities in Georgia and elsewhere. Taking the two-years-plus-two-years route can help you graduate from your dream school.
"One of the best reasons to choose Georgia Perimeter is our academic quality," Watts said. "This is the kind of college where the best faculty teach freshman because that's what they want to do."
Unlike large universities, the focus is on teaching — not research — at a two-year college.
“Our students get individual attention and find our faculty very accessible, because the average class size is 25. We don’t have any 400-seat lecture halls,” Watts added.
Because Georgia Perimeter College attracts large numbers of nontraditional and international students , the school offers free tutorial support for those who need extra help . One example is the language support group in the nursing program’s tutorial lab which helps international nursing students understand the medical terminology and jargon they’ll need to practice successfully in the United States.
“I’m proud that our students leave well-prepared. They perform well, whether their next step is a four-year college or work,” Watts said.
And student don’t have to miss out on a full college experience.
“We have a wide range of athletics and activities, including fine arts programs, student government and clubs of every variety,” he said. “And students don’t have to wait until they are juniors or seniors to take on leadership opportunities.”
Back in school
Anita Williams, 52, is working toward an associate degree in sign language interpreting at Georgia Perimeter College. She’s also president of Second Wind, a group for nontraditional students, and a member of the history club. Williams attended college in her teens, but dropped out, got married and had children. When she lost her job in 2011, she decided it was time to get serious about education.
“Convenience was a factor, and their programs. I live five minutes from the Clarkston and Decatur campuses,” Williams said. “Going back to school after all those years wasn’t easy, but I took advantage of all the resources they offered.”
She attended federal TRIO outreach and student services programs to learn about time management and study skills, and also went on cultural outings with fellow students. She found a math tutor through the school’s learning and tutoring services. A Pell Grant and work-study hours help her get by financially.
Williams began her studies by focusing on business classes, but decided to change her major to sign language interpreting with a business minor.
“I’m taking economics, Spanish and business information systems right now,” she said. “My goal is to make it into Phi Theta Kappa (honor society) this semester. It requires a 3.5 GPA, and mine is hovering at 3.44.”
Williams plans to graduate with an associate degree and apply to GPC’s new four-year degree program in sign language interpreting.
“I’ve been volunteering at the Atlanta School for the Deaf and I know there is a great need for interpreters,” she said.
Once Williams has earned her degree and gets certified, she wants to help hearing-impaired children and their parents, and hopes to become a foster parent to a deaf child.
“Standing at the edge of the stage at the Fox (Theatre) to interpret a play would be pretty cool, too,” she said. “Right now, I’m just passionate about learning and this is a great college for that.”
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