February 21, 2024

Forsyth Technical Community College today announced that it has been designated a Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community colleges as hubs of equity and economic mobility in their communities.

“We are honored to be among one of ten Leader Colleges this year, and grateful that our work to be a place of promise for everyone in our community is being recognized in this way by Achieving the Dream,” said Dr. Janet N. Spriggs, President of Forsyth Tech.

Leader Colleges play an important role in accelerating the adoption of effective practices within the ATD Network and across higher education. They are recognized for the quality of their work in whole-college reform, resulting in increased completion rates for all students. Leader Colleges develop innovative ways to work with other colleges to share knowledge and facilitate an exchange of ideas about evidence-based reform strategies.

Forsyth Tech is being recognized for their progress in decreasing achievement gaps between the majority of students and students of color. Many institutional changes have contributed to this positive metric, including: newly created and expanded offerings by the Minority Male Success Initiative (MMSI); the creation of a wrap-around support system designed to reduce non-academic barriers to student success called Forsyth Tech Cares; and the redesign of developmental education.

Forsyth Tech is part of the ATD Network, made up of 300+ colleges committed to advancing equity and supporting student success at their institutions and throughout their communities. Forsyth Tech has been a member of the ATD Network since 2019.  

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About Achieving the DREAM

Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, the organization provides institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. ATD calls this Whole College Transformation. Its vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable, antiracist, and economically vibrant communities. ATD knows that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers. Follow ATD on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn. To learn more, visit the Achieving the Dream (ATD) website: www.achievingthedream.org.