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| North
Carolina Community College System |
The community college system was created by legislation passed
by the 1963 General Assembly of North Carolina. The legislation
provided that the system of community colleges and technical institutes
would be administered by a Department of Community Colleges under
the State Board of Education. In January 1981, supervision of the
community college system became the responsibility of the State
Board of Community Colleges.
The community college system in North Carolina provides educational
experiences for those people who are 18 years or older, whether
or not they are high school graduates. The educational opportunities
range from instruction in basic literacy skills to college-level
courses, including general education and occupational, technical,
and university transfer programs. These opportunities are available
to all adults who wish to learn and who can profit from instruction
provided.
In 1964, Dr. Dallas Herring, former chair of the State Board of
Education, developed a statement of philosophy for North Carolina
community colleges, which is published in the Department of Community
Colleges Policy Manual. Dr. Herring stated:
“The
only valid philosophy for North Carolina is the philosophy of total
education: a belief in the incomparable worth of all human beings,
whose claims upon the state are equal before the law and equal before
the bar of public opinion, whose talents (however great or however
limited or however different from the traditional) the state needs
and must develop to the fullest possible degree.
That is why the doors to the institutions in North Carolina’s
system of community colleges must never be closed to anyone of suitable
age who can learn what they teach.
We must take the people where they are and carry them as far as
they can go within the assigned function of the system.
If they cannot read, then we will simply teach them to read and
make them proud of their achievement.
If they did not finish high school, but have a mind to do it, then
we will offer them a high school education at a time and in a place
convenient to them and at a price within their reach.
If their talent is technical or vocational, then we simply offer
them instruction, whatever the field, however complex or however
simple, that will provide them with the knowledge and the skill
they can sell in the marketplace of our state, and thereby contribute
to its scientific and industrial growth.
If their needs are in the great tradition of liberal education,
then we will simply provide them the instruction extending through
two years of standard college work which will enable them to go
on to the university or to the senior college, and on into life,
in numbers unheard of in North Carolina.
If their needs are for cultural advancement, intellectual growth,
or civic understanding, then we will simply make available to them
the wisdom of the ages and the enlightenment of our times and help
them on to maturity.”
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| Durham
Technical Community College |
Durham Technical Community College is a charter member of the
North Carolina Community College System. When the North Carolina
General Assembly authorized a small appropriation to establish a
limited number of area schools to be known as industrial education
centers in 1957, Durham already had a vigorous program in adult
education through the Vocational and Adult Education Department
of the Durham City Schools. A Practical Nursing program had been
established in 1948; other programs included training in mechanical
drafting, architectural drafting, and electronics technology. In
addition, literacy skills training was offered for adults. Courses
to upgrade the skills of workers were also offered in a variety
of trades.
As a result of the General Assembly’s appropriation, a challenge
went out from the State Board of Education to the various school
administrative units in North Carolina to establish separate education
facilities which would provide for the educational needs of the
area’s adult population. A comprehensive curriculum was devised
for people needing the education and technical skills required to
advance satisfactorily in their careers.
Through action by the Durham City Board of Education, Durham was
among the first of six counties in North Carolina to meet the State
Board of Education’s challenge. In a successful referendum
in June 1958, Durham County residents made $500,000 available to
purchase a site and erect the initial building. The Durham Industrial
Education Center officially opened its doors on September 5, 1961.
The institution continued to operate as an Industrial Education
Center until February 4, 1965, when the State Board of Education
officially designated that henceforth it be properly identified
as a technical institute. On March 30, 1965, the Board of Trustees
authorized changing the name of the institution to Durham Technical
Institute. On July 15, 1986, the North Carolina General Assembly
approved Durham Tech’s request to add a university transfer
program to its curriculum offerings. During a meeting on July 22,
1986, the Board of Trustees authorized the institution to change
its name to Durham Technical Community College.
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| Performance
Measures |
Each year, the state’s community colleges report on 12
performance measures that the N.C. General Assembly has mandated
for evaluating how well colleges are serving students, business
and industry, and the community. A table summarizing how Durham
Tech performs according to the N.C. Community College System’s
most recent Critical Success Factors Report is available on the
web and also printed in the college’s Catalog
and Student Handbook.
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| Purpose |
As a comprehensive community college serving Durham and Orange counties, Durham Tech follows an open-door with guided placement admissions policy to provide adults an opportunity to better themselves through education and training. Offerings include technical and occupational programs leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate; the first two years of a four-year degree; general education for personal growth and development; a wide variety of corporate and continuing education courses for workforce preparation and broadening personal horizons; and adult basic skills instruction that includes GED preparation, the Adult High School diploma, and English as a Second Language classes.
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| Mission |
As a comprehensive community college serving Durham and Orange counties, Durham Tech follows an open-door with guided placement admissions policy to provide adults an opportunity to better themselves through education and training. Offerings include technical and occupational programs leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate; the first two years of a four-year degree; general education for personal growth and development; a wide variety of continuing education courses for workforce preparation and broadening personal horizons; and adult basic skills instruction that includes GED preparation, the Adult High School diploma, and English as a Second Language classes.
Durham Technical Community College’s mission is to enrich students’ lives and the broader community through teaching, learning, and service.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on July 22, 2008
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| Values |
| Our core values are as follows:
WELCOMING: We value a welcoming, vibrant, and safe campus environment.
LEARNING: We value learning through rigorous quality instruction, focused student support, and appropriate student activities.
ENGAGING: We value an engaging, collegial atmosphere with professional, ethical, and respectful interactions that enhance learning.
UNDERSTANDING: We value the unique experiences of individuals and the diversity of the community.
IMPROVING: We value continual improvement in all areas of the college through encouraging effective innovation, appropriate use of technology, responsible stewardship of financial and human resources, and professional development for faculty and staff.
UNIFYING: We value unity through the common purpose of serving students and the community.
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| Accreditation |
| Durham Technical Community College is accredited by the
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools to award associate’s degrees.
Inquiries about the college’s accreditation status may be
made to the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; Phone:
1-404-679-4501. For other inquiries, including general admission
questions, individuals should contact Durham Technical Community
College directly.
The college is a member of the American Association of Community
Colleges, and the following programs are accredited by national
associations: the Dental Laboratory Technology program is accredited
by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental
Association; the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited
by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education;
the Opticianry program is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry
Accreditation; and the Respiratory Therapy program is accredited
by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The Pharmacy
Technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System
Pharmacists. The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
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| Approbation |
Durham Technical Community College is approved by and a member
of the North Carolina Community College System. The following programs
are approved by state agencies: the Opticianry program is approved
by the North Carolina State Board of Opticians; the Nursing Assistant
I program is approved by the North Carolina Division for Facilities
Services; the Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs
are approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing; real estate
courses are approved by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission;
insurance pre-licensing courses are approved by the North Carolina
Department of Insurance; and the Basic Law Enforcement Training
program is approved by the North Carolina Department of Justice.
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| Governance |
The statutes of the State of North Carolina provide for the
organization and administration of a community college system under
the direction of the State Board of Community Colleges. The 21-member
board has full authority to adopt all policies, regulations, and
standards it deems necessary for the operation of the system. Members
of the State Board are appointed by the Governor and the General
Assembly. The State Board has three major functions: equitable distribution
of funds and fiscal accountability; establishing and maintaining
state priorities; and educational program approval and accountability.
Durham Technical Community College is governed by a
Board of Trustees. Four members of the Board are appointed by
the Governor, four are appointed by the Durham County Board of
Commissioners, four are appointed by the Durham Public Schools
Board of Education, and two are appointed by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Trustees serve four-year terms and set local
policy for the college. A representative of the college’s
Student Senate also serves as a non-voting member of the Board.
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| Board
of Trustees: |
| Appointed by the Governor |
| The Honorable Anne C. Barnes |
Mrs. Susan O. Griffin |
| Mr. C. Darrell DeLoatche |
Dr. Mary Ann Peter, Chair |
| Appointed by the County Commissioners |
| Mr. Edward F. "Ted" Conner |
Mr. W. Barker French |
| Mr. David L. Dodson |
Mr. Lee Johnson, Jr., Vice Chair |
| The Honorable Valerie Foushee |
Mr. Aaron Nelson |
| Appointed by the Durham Public Schools Board |
| Mr. Willie L. Covington |
Mr. Dennis B. Nicholson |
| Mrs. Wanda J. Garrett, Esq. |
Mr. Charles T. Wilson, Jr. |
| Durham Technical Community College President |
| Dr. William G. "Bill" Ingram |
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| Student Trustee |
| Christine L. Wright |
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| Retired
and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) Program |
The Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP) Program is a special
feature of the college’s community service effort. Officially
sponsored by Durham Tech, RSVP provides retirees 55 years of age
and older residents exciting opportunities for personal development
and satisfaction through various volunteer activities. Each year,
more than 350 retired and senior volunteers contribute over 40,000
hours of service to area non-profit and public agencies through
RSVP. Learn more about RSVP and
the volunteer opportunities.
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