General Information
Bainbridge College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4097, tel. 404-679-4501) to award the associate of arts degree, the associate of science degree, the associate of applied science degree and certificates in vocational/technical programs.
Bainbridge College is an Equal Opportunity College.
Bainbridge College Mission Statement
Bainbridge College is a two-year, non-residential college of the University System of Georgia and is in the rural southwestern corner of the state. In addition to its own offerings in academic transfer and technical areas, Bainbridge College provides educational opportunities for area residents through its Continuing Education Division, joint degree programs with nearby technical colleges, upper division and graduate offerings by Georgia Southwestern State University and Albany State University, and distance learning transmissions from other academic institutions and governmental and professional agencies.
Bainbridge College shares with other two-year colleges in the University System of Georgia the following core characteristics or purposes:
- a commitment to excellence and responsiveness within a scope of influence defined by the needs of a local area and by particularly outstanding programs or distinctive characteristics that have a magnet effect throughout the region or state;
- a commitment to a teaching/learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom, that sustains instructional excellence, functions to provide University System access for a diverse student body, and promotes high levels of student learning;
- a high quality general education program that supports a variety of well-chosen associate programs and prepares students for transfer to baccalaureate programs, learning support programs designed to ensure access and opportunity for a diverse student body, and a limited number of certificate or other career programs to complement neighboring technical institute programs;
- a commitment to public service, continuing education, technical assistance, and economic development activities that address the needs, improve the quality of life, and raise the educational level within the College's scope of influence;
- a commitment to scholarship and creative work to enhance instructional effectiveness and to meet local needs.
In addition, Bainbridge College shares the following characteristics with its thirtyfive sister institutions of the University System of Georgia:
- a supportive campus climate, necessary services, and leadership and development opportunities, all to educate the whole person and meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff;
- cultural, ethnic, racial, and gender diversity in the faculty, staff, and student body, supported by practices and programs that embody the ideals of an open, democratic, and global society;
- technology to advance educational purposes, including instructional technology, student support services, and distance education;
- collaborative relationships with other System institutions, State agencies, local schools and technical colleges, and business and industry, sharing physical, human, information, and other resources to expand and enhance programs and services available to the citizens of Georgia.
Bainbridge College is the only comprehensive community college in southwest Georgia. Students come from the surrounding service area and other states and countries. Bainbridge College attracts students with its approach to education, which includes programs in the liberal arts and technical and career training as well as noncredit activities.
This diverse student population includes many ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. All students commute to campus; approximately half attend college on a full-time basis. Most students are employed. Minority enrollment approaches the percentage of the minority population in the service area. Most students receive some form of financial aid, and many are first generation college students.
In order to serve this heterogeneous student population, Bainbridge College has developed relevant strategies to meet student needs, including flexible class scheduling, a strong learning support department, a peer tutorial program, professionally staffed computer laboratories, and various specialized workshops to help students improve academic skills.
Bainbridge College's mission is three-fold: to provide transfer degrees, technical programs, and public service/continuing education courses. The College assists in area economic and community development programs and has established collaborative relationships with local businesses, industries, and cultural/civic groups. The College also supports local public education by sponsoring various academic and technical competitions and by offering on-going cultural programs, including lectures, musical programs, art exhibits, and theatrical performances for students and the community.
Bainbridge College places primary emphasis on excellence in instruction. The College provides opportunities for faculty development, scholarship, and creative work that support institutional effectiveness and enhance faculty qualifications. Its faculty has one of the highest percentages of earned doctorates among two-year System institutions. Members of the faculty are active in professional and civic organizations and have accumulated a significant publication record.
Bainbridge College is an evolving institution dedicated to providing a superior learning environment. Aspirations include the exploration of interactive computer technologies; development of campus facilities to maintain breadth in programs, services, and delivery systems; continuous improvement of administrative processes; and the refinement of assessment strategies that provide reliable feedback on institutional effectiveness and educational outcomes.
Human Rights and Nondiscrimination
Bainbridge College is committed to equal opportunity education. The college is guided in philosophy and practice by the principle that individuals shall not be treated differently because of race, creed, color, sex, age, disability, or national origin and that legitimate and reasonable access to facilities shall be available to all. This principle is particularly applicable in the admission of students to all programs of the college. It also is applicable in extracurricular activities, all student services, the employment of students by the college, and in the employment of faculty and non-instructional staff.
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Bainbridge College does not discriminate on the basis of handicap or disability.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, see list of OCR enforcement offices for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-(800)-421-3481.
Historical Timeline
- 1970. The College was established Regents of the University System of Georgia with an agreement between through the authorization of the Board of the local community and the Board.
- 1971. Decatur County residents approved a $2 million bond issue to finance the College's construction.
- 1972. The founding president, Dr. Edward D. Mobley, was appointed. Construction of the first five buildings began.
- 1973. Bainbridge College opened its doors to a charter class of 217 students. Two major academic units, a Division of Vocational/Technical Education and Department of Developmental Studies, were added later to the College.
- 1974. The College held its first formal Graduation. A total of 42 degrees and certificates were conferred.
- 1975. Original accreditation was received from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
- 1978. Construction began on a $1.6 million Vocational/Technical facility which now houses ten vocational programs.
- 1980. The College occupied the newly completed Vocational/Technical facility.
- 1984. The Continuing Education Department was relocated to the remodeled Physical Education Building, now called the Continuing Education Center, and the Department began offering upper division and graduate programs in cooperation with Valdosta State University and Albany State University.
- 1987. The Board of Regents removed the word "Junior" from the names of all two-year colleges of the University System of Georgia
- 1988. The Board of Regents approved the waiver of out-of-state tuition for counties in other states which adjoin Georgia counties where University System of Georgia institutions are located.
- 1990. The Vocational/Technical Division was designated the Division of Technical Studies in recognition of the growing complexity and sophistication of its course offerings, and reaffirmation of accreditation was granted.
- 1992. Fall quarter enrollment at the College increased to more than 1,000 students; additional new business, medical, service, and technology programs were added through a cooperative program with Thomas Technical Institute.
- 1993. Bainbridge College celebrated its twentieth year of service to southwest Georgia.
- 1994. The College converted a modular building, the Oak Center, into a new art studio and classroom and began refurbishing a second modular building, the Pine Center, for noncredit use. The College completed the installation of the fiber optics network to expand the opportunities of faculty, staff, and students to participate in a worldwide information exchange via the campus computer network.
- 1995. The College constructed a 2,000 square foot stage on campus for outdoor productions and renovated the old bookstore for Financial Aid Offices.
- 1996. The College erected a modular building to house the Southwest Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center to provide programs and resources which promote interest and enthusiasm in science, mathematics, and technology among elementary and middle school students and teachers.
- 1997. The College completed construction for the Maple Center, a new modular building, which houses two interactive distance learning classrooms and an office wing for technical support personnel; additional new business, medical, service, and technology programs were added through a cooperative program with Albany Technical Institute.
- 1998. In the Fall the University System of Georgia converted from the quarter to the semester system
- 1999. The Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia Chancellor Stephen Portch named Dr. Clifford Brock as the second president of Bainbridge College.
- 2000. BC raised $1.3 million toward the cost of the proposed River Regional Center.
- 2002. Groundbreaking for new Bookstore.
- 2003. Bainbridge College celebrates its 30th anniversary.
- 2004. The River Regional Center became the Charles H. Kirbo Regional Center.
- 2004. Bainbridge College is third in the state with the highest growth in semester credit hours among community colleges in Georgia.
- 2005. Veteran University System administrator Sherman R. Day became Interim President in February. Thomas A. Wilkerson was elected president at the May 2005 meeting of the Board of Regents. Dr. Wilkerson, a 30-year veteran of the University System, assumed office on July 1, 2005.