Fayette County’s quest for higher education facilities gets a big boost next week when Clayton State University dedicates its new facility in Peachtree City on Tuesday.

Clayton State University-Fayette is located at 1200 Commerce Dr., in Peachtree City’s Westpark Office Park, and encompasses 9,000 square feet on the top floor of the two-story office building. Clayton State classes will be offered at this location starting in January 2008.

Clayton State started making noises about expanding its Fayette presence in July.

“Clayton State University has a tradition of quality teaching and innovative degree programs. We would like to make these resources more accessible to those who may not be able to travel to Clayton’s main campus to complete their bachelor’s degree or enroll in a graduate program,” said Assistant Vice President for Academic Outreach Dr. Kevin Demmitt in a news release.

Demmitt, who has lived in Fayette County for 15 years, said in July the university wants a permanent presence in the county.

He added the initial target population for the degree programs will be graduate students and non-traditional students who have some college education but are seeking to complete a four-year degree.

“We plan to begin by offering an interdisciplinary degree completion program for those who have at least 60 hours of college credit, but never completed their four-year degree. At the same time, we would also like to begin a cohort of students in Fayette County in our MBA program. We want to bring that quality degree program to Fayette County. Other undergraduate and graduate degrees will be added to meet the needs of Fayette County.”

According to the 2000 Census, he said there are more adults in the Southern Crescent region who have some college but no degree than there are adults with either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

“In Fayette County, 25 percent of adults over age 25 have some college credit but no degree and an additional 7.2 percent have only a two-year degree. Thus, the potential for bachelor’s degree completion programs is quite substantial,” he explains.

“Because of our location we are ideally situated to provide higher education opportunities to the residents of Fayette County. A significant number of Clayton State faculty and staff live in the proposed service area and thus may work at both the Fayette County Center and Clayton State’s main campus as needed.”

“In working with community leaders, we believe there is a need to develop a center that can offer complete undergraduate and graduate degrees with the whole range of student support services offered on site,” said Demmitt in the news release.

Demmitt said he has already met with a number of the county’s leaders, including Commission Chairman Jack Smith, who are enthusiastic about the prospects of a higher education center in the county.

After land is purchased for the center, Demmitt said the next logical extension would be for a satellite campus to open in the county.

“We have just been pleased with the reception we’ve had from Fayette County.”

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