History
The General Assembly of the State of South Carolina authorized the establishment of Denmark Technical College in 1947, and the College began operation on March 1, 1948, as the Denmark Branch of the South Carolina Trade School System. At its inception, the institution functioned under the authority of the South Carolina Department of Education and was mandated to educate black citizens in various trades.
In 1969, the control of Denmark Area Trade School (Denmark Technical College) was transferred to the South Carolina Advisory Committee for Technical Training which acted under the supervision of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education. During the same year, the name of the College was changed to Denmark Technical Education Center. In 1979, the institution was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and assumed its present designation as Denmark Technical College.
Since 1948, the College has experienced significant growth and now takes pride in the fact that it has become a comprehensive two-year college which offers a broad range of programs and services. The College is in Denmark, South Carolina, a small city of approximately 3,200 citizens. The campus stands on 53 beautifully landscaped acres of land conveniently located about 50 miles south of Columbia, 85 miles northeast of Charleston, and 50 miles east of Augusta, Georgia.
Mission
Denmark Technical College engages, educates, and empowers students to impact the industry by identifying transformative solutions to complex issues in South Carolina, the nation, and the world.
Senior College/University Transfer Program: Courses directly equivalent to the first two years of traditional college study offered at senior colleges and major universities which may be transferred to senior colleges. Technical Education: Curriculums designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed for employment in industry, business, and government.
General Education: Courses to provide the common knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by each individual to be effective as a worker, a consumer, and a participant in a democratic society.
Continuing Education: Credit and non-credit classes offered with flexibility in time, place, and modality to assist the adults in the region to continue their learning experiences.
Transitional Studies: Denmark Technical College wants all students to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. Enrolling in developmental studies courses is the first step toward a successful college experience for many students. The college offers academic and support services as part of its comprehensive program to help students succeed in their chosen programs of study. Courses in the department meet a variety of student needs. New or re-admitted students whose test scores on the college’s placement tests identify academic needs will enroll in developmental courses in math, reading and/or English before entering core courses that are required for their degrees. Students who are attending college for the first time should enroll in COL 103 or IDS 102 to help them succeed in college and improve personal study habits and skills.
Specialized Training Programs: Training coordinated with South Carolina industries through the ReadySC and Apprenticeship Carolina™ programs provided where specific job opportunities are available for new or expanding industries.
Region and Community Services: Specialized services to help meet the cultural and educational needs of the region including cultural events, workshops, meetings, lectures, conferences, seminars, and other special community projects.
Student Development Programs and Services: Programs and services to enrolled and prospective students and alumni to increase their success and enhance their potential for personal, educational and professional growth. The college increases student access to higher education through recruitment, developmental education, financial services, counseling and career services, and evaluation and support services.
Sustainability Services: A Continuous Improvement Plan to include technology integration, internal control measures for financial health and green technology measures for conservation.
Region and Community Services: Specialized services to help meet the cultural and educational needs of the region including cultural events, workshops, meetings, lectures, conferences, seminars, and other special community projects.
Institutional Goals
Marketable Graduates: Prepare graduates with the skills and competencies to meet the demands of a technologically dynamic, competitive workplace, and academically challenging senior college environments.
Academic Programs: Provide comprehensive instructional programs using flexible access to education, training, and retraining using distance learning, evening and weekend scheduling, and variable length courses in addition to traditional instruction and implement Student Learning Outcome based teaching and learning processes across all academic programs as well as developing and implementing processes for a seamless transition of students from high school through Denmark Technical College to a four year institution.
Resources: Expand and upgrade the financial and infrastructure resources necessary to achieve the College’s Mission by implementing sustainable practices to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity.
Institutional Effectiveness: Ensure accountability and the effective and efficient performance of all aspects of the College through assessment and the continual professional development of the faculty, staff and administrators. Economic Development: Contribute to the economic and community development of the service area and the state financial need as determined through cooperative and collaborative programs with business and industry, community agencies and organizations, local schools and other colleges and universities by developing partnerships with the stakeholders to promote economic development and enhance quality of life and by implementing training programs based on the needs of businesses and industries for workforce development.
Student Development: Provide students with instructional support and cultural, recreational, and social experiences in a student-centered environment with respect for diversity and implement technologies to enhance student learning and support programs.
Marketing and Image: Provide quality customer service and develop a marketing strategy to enhance perception, through branding and continuously promoting culturally diverse experience, and globally competitive educational opportunities and promote the image of the College to facilitate the recruitment of students.
Campus Facilities: The College is situated on 53 landscaped acres with a baseball field, tennis courts, and basketball courts for recreational use. The cafeteria is open to students for breakfast, lunch, and evening meals. A canteen, with a lounge area for residential and commuting students, is housed in the William L. McDuffie Student Services Center and provides an alternate meal – snack area.