Central Georgia Technical College, Houston County School District commits $100 million to new STEM facility

WARNER ROBINS — High school students looking to enter the healthcare field will soon have a fast track to their dreams. 

Central Georgia Technical College partnered with the Houston County School District, committing $100 million to a new STEM/Allied Health Academy. 

Bloomberg Philanthropies invested $10 million. Other contributors include Houston County Commissioners, the Georgia General Assembly, and Governor Brian Kemp. 

The academy will be located off Highway 41 near Russell Parkway. 

Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at CGTC, Mark Scott, said the college is very excited about the opportunity. The project focuses on regional healthcare workforce development and is the start of a healthcare high school initiative. 

“The goal is to provide students the opportunity to engage in fields that are associated with the allied health programs,” he said. 

The project will offer three diploma programs, two license programs, and two certificate programs. It will cover various avenues in healthcare like nursing, surgical technology, pharmacy tech, medical lab technology, respiratory technology, and other allied health careers. 

Students will take the classes through dual enrollment, Scott said. From there, they will participate in hands-on clinical opportunities at Atrium Health Navicent, Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, and other facilities in middle Georgia. 

The aim is for students to graduate high school with college credentials and enter the workforce with a good-paying job. Through dual enrollment, they can achieve their career goals without debt. 

“It just speeds up that process and they can enter the workforce quicker. It also solves workforce issues in the healthcare industry,” he said. “It fits the need for the healthcare industry, but it also allows students to get those credentials without incurring student loans.”

Scott said CGTC’s mission is to help by ensuring healthcare partners have the workforce they need. 

“We want our communities to have quality healthcare for their citizens and Central Georgia Technical College wants to do their part in making sure that happens,” he said. 

Scott believes this is only the beginning. Although STEM/Allied Health Academy will be located in Houston County, CGTC will facilitate partnerships across its 11-county service area. Scott said the college is fortunate to collaborate with the school district and local communities. He hopes CGTC will be able to expand the program as community needs are identified.

Although the academy is slated for an August 2027 opening, students can take their core academics in the 2026-2027 school year. They’ll enter clinicals the following year.

Scott said, “It’ll be exciting to see those students come through in the first cohort to see what they do in the future.”