James March-April 2024 online - Flipbook - Page 70
local organizations on initiatives to
ensure our communities can develop,
attract and retain the talent and workforce necessary to sustain and propel
this region economically. We also are
expanding our efforts to work with the
Chambers and other regionally focused organizations across northwest
Georgia to ensure we are effectively
serving each community. This includes
exploring ways to partner with our sister USG institutions, such as Georgia
Highlands College, and with Georgia
Northwestern Technical College.
PK How many graduates who enter
the workforce get jobs in Georgia?
JF We are producing nearly 750 grad-
uates each year, and the majority are
employed before or upon graduation.
Our most recent survey of graduates
showed that 78 percent were employed in Georgia, and 67 percent
were employed in positions in Dalton
and the surrounding area.
intercollegiate college sports do the
Roadrunners compete in?
JF Roadrunner birds are known for
their quickness, determination, charisma, and loyalty— and our athletes are
no different. We compete successfully
in the NAIA Southern States Athletics
Conference, and we field seven teams,
including men’s and women’s golf and
soccer, men’s basketball, and women’s
track and cross country. Our men’s
and women’s golf teams are currently
ranked No. 1 and No. 4 in the nation.
I am super proud of our men’s
soccer team this year. They made it to
the quarterfinals of the NAIA Men’s
Soccer Championship and six team
members have signed with professional and semi-pro teams.
PK As you well know, student tuition
and related college costs present a
big obstacle for all too many parents
and students. What are the ways
Dalton State is providing an affordable,
high-quality education?
PK Dalton State’s athletic teams are
the Roadrunners. Tell us about your
athletic program and how many
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JAMES
M ARCH/ A PR I L 2024
JF About 50 percent of our students
are first-generation college students,
so affordability is particularly important for them and their families. Importantly, as a state college, our tuition
and fees are among the lowest in the
state— and Georgia overall is among
the lowest in the nation and certainly
in the SREB region. In fact, a full-time
student will pay under $4,000 in tuition and fees on an annual basis.
We are also focused on fundraising
to support need and merit-based scholarships and, in fall 2023, 78 percent of
our students received aid. It is impressive that 83 percent of our students
graduate without student loans. Of
those who did borrow, the amount
of debt at graduation was less than
$13,000— a nominal amount compared
to what your readers might be seeing
in national media reports.
I would add that a college degree
remains one of the best investments
you can make. A recent study showed
that USG graduates with a four-year
degree earns an average of more
than $1 million over their lifetime. To
paraphrase Chancellor Sonny Perdue,
a college education changes the future
for that student, and it represents a
generational impact for years to come.
