Governor rolls out Complete College Ga. plan

ATLANTA - Governor Nathan Deal Monday rolled out plans to boost graduation rates at state colleges and universities, including two in our area that will become one in January.

The plan for the University of North Georgia, the combination of North Georgia College and State University and Gainesville State College includes five major strategies.

They are improving college readiness through K through 12 partnerships and expanding access and completion. They also include reducing the time it takes to earn a college degree, developing new models of instruction and learning and transforming remediation, according to a press release.

Doctor Al Panu, GSC Vice President for Academic Affairs, will lead the unified university's implementation of its Complete College Georgia plan.

“In approaching the goal of raising the level of degree completion, our two institutions start from positions of academic strength and excellence," Panu said.

Governor Deal announced the statewide strategy to increase college completion in the state this past year.

“With four campuses located across the northern region of the state, and through partnerships with local educational agencies, government, and industry, the University of North Georgia will be strategically situated to address the critical need for an educated workforce for economic growth in the region," Dr. Bonita C. Jacobs, president of North Georgia College & State University said.

According to a study last year by Georgetown University, to meet projected workforce needs, Georgia must increase the percentage of its population that holds a post-secondary credential from 42 percent to 60 percent over the next eight years, according to the Governor's office.