Delaware Tech presents fiscal 2015 budget request

Delaware Technical Community College presented its fiscal year 2015 budget request Nov. 14 to state budget officials in the Senate Chamber at Legislative Hall in Dover. The presentation emphasized the college’s commitment to connecting Delawareans with jobs through excellence in education, responsive and relevant programs, and strong partnerships.

President Orlando J. George Jr. began by updating state budget officials on the college’s continuing commitment to excellence as demonstrated by its reaccreditation with commendations by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in June.

Early next year, the college will expand three of its programs in response to the needs of Delaware’s business and industry. In January, the college’s existing FAA-certified aviation maintenance program will be expanded to prepare highly skilled and sought-after graduates to work on the engines of airplanes in addition to the shells. Next spring, the college will also add an accelerated program option for nursing students and increase the size of its emergency medical technician/paramedic program to double the number of graduates required by county agencies and the Delaware State Police.

George highlighted several key partnerships. The Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership had another successful year helping small and medium-sized manufacturers. Partnerships have also helped the college grow its entrepreneurship, high school dual enrollment, and STEM programs.

Delaware Tech’s operating budget request included continued funding for existing general fund positions and the SEED scholarship program, which has helped more than 5,800 Delawareans over the last seven years. The college also requested five additional full-time public safety personnel and faculty positions in the following academic programs: diagnostic medical sonography, science, mathematics, nursing and engineering technology.

The capital budget request included funding for minor improvements and technology at all campuses, the expansion of classrooms and labs to the Arts & Science Center at the Owens Campus and the East Building at the Wilmington Campus, and two new facilities - a Student Services Building at the Terry Campus and a Child Development Center at the Stanton Campus.