About ATC
About Aiken Technical College
Founded on September 1, 1972, Aiken Technical College is a public, open-door, comprehensive two-year college serving Aiken County and the surrounding region. What began with 177 students attending classes in temporary facilities has grown into a dynamic institution focused on education opportunity, workforce preparation, and community impact
As one of 16 colleges in the South Carolina Technical College System, Aiken Tech provides a variety of academic programs, workforce training, and continuing education designed to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and the community. Programs are available in areas such as health sciences, business, public service, manufacturing, nuclear and energy technology, computer technology, and university transfer.
Over the decades, Aiken Tech has expanded its campus, strengthened partnerships with business and industry, and increased collaboration with K-12 schools, universities, and community organizations. Recent investments include the development of a new Nursing Education Center, new dual enrollment partnerships, and enhanced student support initiatives designed to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
Quick Facts
Location
Graniteville, South Carolina
Accreditation Status
Southern Association for College and Schools Commission on Colleges
Current President
Forest E. Mahan, Ph.D
- Vision
Aiken Technical College seeks to be the first choice for higher education in the region.
- Mission
Aiken Technical College is a public, open-door, two-year, comprehensive institution of higher education established to provide citizens of greater Aiken County opportunities for educational and workforce development.
- Values
Aiken Technical College's core values define the college and provide the environment for all decisions and actions. These core values are:
Collaboration – Exemplified in community-centered relationships and partnerships.
Commitment – Exemplified in students, businesses, and the community.
Excellence – Exemplified in teaching, learning, engagement, and development.
Innovation – Exemplified in new approaches, risk-taking, flexibility, change, and leadership.
Integrity – Exemplified by honesty, accountability, and transparency.
Respect – Exemplified in engagement and compassion
By the Numbers
3,146
Total Students Served in 2024-2025
1,000
Jobs Supported
88
%
ATC Placement Rate
43
%
Alumni who earn this much more than someone with only a high school diploma
$
161
M
Aiken Tech Economic Impact
71
%
Students from Aiken County
History Highlights
- 1969
- 1969: Feasibility study conducted for a new technical education in Aiken County
- 1970s
- 1970: Site of future technical education center selected and purchased
- September 1, 1972: Aiken Technical Education Center founded as a vocationally-based training center
- Winter 1973: The current campus location opened with three buildings
- 1975: Aiken Technical Education Center received accreditation as a two-year technical college
- 1977: Name formally changed to Aiken Technical College and Aiken Technical College Foundation was established
- 1984
- 1984: President Ashley J. Little Retires
- July 1984: Dr. Paul L Blowers becomes second president of Aiken Technical College
- 1990s
- Fall 1991: College begins new basketball sports program; team is called the "Knights"
- 1994: President Dr. Paul L. Blowers retires
- June 1994: Dr. Kathleen Noble becomes the third president of Aiken Technical College
- 1999: President Dr. Kathleen Noble resigns
- September 1999: Dr. Susan A. Winsor becomes the fourth president of Aiken Technical College
- 2000s
- Fall 2000: Dale Phelon Information Technology Center opened for classes
- Summer 2001: Test Center is opened
- 2002: Health Sciences Building groundbreaking
- Fall 2003: Health Sciences Building opened
- 2004: Outdoor student commons area created between Dale Phelon Information Technology Center, Health Sciences Building, and the Gregg-Graniteville Student Activities Center; the area was dedicated to former SC Senator Thomas L. Moore, who represented Senate District 44 from 1981 until 2007 and represented SC House District 44 as a House Representative from 1979-1980
- Fall 2004: College begins new fast-pitch softball sports program; team is called the "Lady Knights"
- 2013
- 2013: New Enrollment Services Center opened; the center centralized admissions and records, financial aid, and academic advising services into one convenient location
- Fall 2013: College ends its sports programs (basketball and softball)
- 2014
- 2014: College broke ground for Center for Energy and Advanced Manufacturing
- 2015
- September 2015: The Center for Energy and Advanced Manufacturing opened.
- 2016
- June 2016: President Dr. Susan A. Winsor retires; is recognized as the College's longest serving President
- July 1, 2016: Dr. Forest E. Mahan became the fifth president of Aiken Technical College
- 2021
- July 2021: Aiken Technical College's accreditation reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- 2022
- August: Aiken Technical College introduced its new logo and visual brand identity
- September: Aiken Technical College celebrated its 50th anniversary and buried a time capsule to be opened in 2047
- October: Aiken Technical College and the Aiken County Public School District signed a MOU for the college to lease land to the district for the construction of a new Aiken County Career and Technology Center
- 2024
- March: Aiken Technical College un-retired and rebranded its mascot
- May: Groundbreaking ceremony held for new Aiken County Career and Technology Center
- 2025
- March: Construction began on the new Aiken County Career and Technology Center
- May: Groundbreaking ceremony held for college’s new Nursing Education Center
- August: Construction began on Nursing Education Center
- 2026
- April: The college opened its newly renovated Building A, becoming the college’s new Enrollment and Administration hub
- May: The Ashley J. Little Building, the college’s oldest and original administration building, is closed.
Awards and Honors
- 2025-2026
2025 Trustee of the Year, Southern Region, awarded to Aiken County Commission for Technical and Comprehensive Education Chair Joe Lewis by the Association of Community College Trustees
2025 PEBA Partners Award – Higher Education Division Winner, for employee wellness program, awarded by the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority
2025 Gold Medallion Award (District 2), annual report, awarded by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations
2025 Silver Paragon Award (National), annual report, awarded by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations
2025 Palmetto Award of Excellence, annual report, awarded by the International Association of Business Communicators – South Carolina Chapter
- 2023-2024
- 2022-2023 Military Friendly® School, awarded by Viqtory Media
2024 Faculty Member of the Year, Southern Region, awarded to Math Department Chair Lynn Rickabaugh by the Association of Community College Trustees
2024 Silver Medallion Award (District 2), alumni e-newsletter, awarded by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations
2024 Bronze Medallion Award (District 2), long form writing, awarded by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations
2024 Bronze Medallion Award (District 2), outdoor signage/displays, awarded by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations
2024 PEBA Partners Award-Overall Winner, for employee wellness program, awarded by the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority
2023 Chief Executive Officer of the Year, Southern Region, awarded to Aiken Technical College President Dr. Forest Mahan by the Association of Community College Trustees
2023 A. Wade Martin Innovation Team of the Year Award, for the nuclear fundamentals apprenticeship team, awarded by the South Carolina Technical College System
2023-2024 Military Friendly® School, Gold Distinction, awarded by Viqtory Media
2023-2024 Military Friendly® Spouse School, awarded by Viqtory Media
2023 PEBA Partners Award – Higher Education Division Winner, for employee wellness program, awarded by the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority
2023 Achieving Campus Efficiency Award, awarded by BankMobile Disbursements powered by BMTX, Inc.
- 2021-2022
2022 PEBA Partners Award-Overall Winner, for employee wellness program, awarded by the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority
2022 Bronze Medallion Award, for annual report, awarded by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations – District 2
2022 Best for Vets: Colleges List, ranked by Military Times
2021 PEBA Partners Award-Overall Winner, for employee wellness program, awarded by the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority
2021-2022 Military Friendly® School, awarded by Viqtory Media
2021 Aiken’s Choice for “Best Place to Further Your Education,” awarded by The Aiken Standard readers’ choice