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needs. Advanced manufacturing, robotics, mechatronics and automation
are among the fastest-growing areas,
alongside expanding use of artificial
intelligence in industrial settings.
Healthcare remains the largest
area of enrollment, encompassing
nursing, respiratory therapy, surgical
technology, dental programs and
radiologic technology.
Skilled trades— including welding, HVAC, carpentry, cabinetmaking, and automotive technology—
continue to draw strong interest,
reflecting both regional demand
and competitive wages. “We work
closely with employers, the Chamber, and our development partners
to stay ahead of workforce trends,”
Todd said. “Economic development
depends on talent availability, and
we take that role seriously.”
MAKING EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE
Affordability remains central to
Columbus Tech’s mission. Through
Georgia’s dual enrollment program,
high school students can earn up to
30 credit hours at no cost— including
tuition, books and fees.
Beyond dual enrollment, approximately 75 percent of Columbus Tech
students utilize some form of financial
assistance, Todd said. The college
supports students in accessing federal aid, veterans’ benefits, workforce
funding and a wide range of scholarships through its foundation.
In addition, Columbus Tech
addresses the non-academic barriers
that often stand between students
and completion. “Sometimes it’s not
about tuition,” Todd said. “It’s about
food, utilities, transportation—those
wraparound supports can be the
difference between finishing and
stopping out.”
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
After steady post-pandemic enrollment growth, Todd sees a strong
future ahead for Columbus Tech. In
addition to the Puckett Center, the
college is working toward launching
aviation maintenance programming,
including an airframe and power
plant technician pathway in partnership with Georgia Northwestern
Technical College and regional
industry partners.
“This institution has been serving the community for 65 years,” she
said. “Our responsibility now is to
keep evolving, keep listening, and
keep providing opportunities that
change lives.”
As Columbus Technical College
celebrates that milestone anniversary, its impact is evident across the
region— in hospitals, manufacturing
plants, construction sites, classrooms
and businesses powered by graduates who found their path through
technical education.
For Todd, the mission remains
clear. “We’re here to help people
build better futures. And there’s no
more important work than that.”
Cindy Morley is a staff writer for James and
James Magazine Online.
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