Mission, Vision and History

Mission, Vision, Statement of Role and Scope, and Statement of Values

MTC Mission Statement

Midlands Technical College is a comprehensive, multi-campus, two-year public college serving the primary region of Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties of South Carolina. College programs and services provide the community with accessible, affordable, quality education and training that prepares a diverse student population to attain competitive, high-demand careers; to transfer to four-year colleges and universities; and to achieve their professional and personal goals. The college equitably provides higher education opportunities that stimulate the local economy through workforce development and community social vitality.

MTC Vision Statement

(Approved By MTC Commission - July 22, 2021)
(Approved By CHE - July 19, 2022) 

Midlands Technical College, as a premier higher education institution, creates innovative learning environments, promotes student success, contributes to economic vitality, and enhances quality of life.

Statement of Role and Scope

(Approved By MTC Commission - July 22, 2021)
(Approved By CHE - July 19, 2022) 

The college equitably implements its mission through a clearly defined set of programs, services and partnerships that include:

Education Programs - MTC provides education and training through Academic programs and Corporate and Continuing Education programs that lead to associate degrees, diplomas, academic certificates, training certificates and course mastery. Offered through multiple delivery modes, these programs and courses are aligned with local employer needs and serve individual students, businesses and the community.

Student Development Programs and Services - MTC offers programs and services to current 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 and careers pathways through recruitment, academic and career advising, financial services, counseling and career services, tutoring, and student support and engagement services.

College Administrative Services - MTC, through an array of comprehensive administrative services, ensures an effective and fiscally sustainable institution.

Economic Development - MTC proactively promotes business growth and regional prosperity. The college enhances the economic vitality and quality of life of the region by providing a world-class workforce and opportunities for business and community engagement.

Collaborations and Partnerships - MTC initiates and expands collaborative interaction with the higher education and K-12 education sectors, and promotes business relationships through advisory board participation and business outreach activities. The college works with potential and existing business customers to identify needs and provide specific education and training for their potential and current employees.

Statement of Values

Midlands Technical College contributes to the community by helping individuals reach their full potential through affirmation of the following values:

Commitment to Student Success - Belief in providing a learner-centered environment by offering quality and relevant instruction, resources, services, and opportunities for the continued growth and development of students. Midlands Technical College transforms lives by proactively working with each student so that he or she can achieve career and lifelong learning objectives. Through guided pathways, the college assists students in clarifying their career goals, navigating educational pathways, fostering entrepreneurship, embracing social responsibility, developing life skills, and maximizing their potential.

Commitment to Service Excellence - Belief in providing welcoming, professional, respectful, responsive, and flexible service to all constituents.

Commitment to Integrity - Belief in ethical behavior by all members of the college community. The college fosters and promotes integrity, honesty, fairness and mutual respect among faculty, staff, students and all others associated with the college.

Commitment to Economic Vitality and Quality of Life - Belief in preparing students for successful careers by providing a seamless pathway bridging secondary education, higher education and lifelong learning. The college serves as a resource for community engagement and partners with business, education and government to enhance the growth and prosperity of the region.

Commitment to Access, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - Belief in providing equitable access to programs and services while embracing the dignity and uniqueness of each individual who collectively represents the cultural, economic and demographic diversity of the community.

Commitment to Faculty and Staff - Belief in the importance of attracting and retaining an excellent and diverse faculty and staff who collectively create a positive learning environment. The college provides professional development opportunities and demonstrates its commitment to the college community by providing resources to carry out the mission of the college.

Commitment to a Quality Campus Environment - Belief in the importance of creating an inviting and secure environment for the college community. The college values clear communications, open exchange of ideas, involvement in decision-making through shared governance, and respect for all individuals.

Commitment to the Management and Diversification of Resources - Belief in the effective and efficient use of college resources to provide quality education and services for the students and community and in being accountable to constituents. The college seeks to diversify its financial support through pursuing new and innovative resources and developing a culture of philanthropy.

Commitment to Innovation - Belief in the spirit of creativity and discovery in all college endeavors. The college is open to innovation, adaptation and positive change for the benefit of all its constituencies.

History of MTC

The present-day Midlands Technical College is the product of a rich and unique history. Never before had a public trade school, a public technical education center and a private junior college merged to form a comprehensive two-year technical/community college in South Carolina.

In 1947, the South Carolina Area Trade Schools (SCATS) Act established the South Carolina Area Trade School–Columbia Campus to provide skilled and educated workers to meet the expanding labor needs of the community. In 1969, the name was changed to Columbia Technical Education Center (TEC) and it became part of the State Committee for Technical Education, which was responsible for guiding the technical programs in the state. The site of the Columbia Technical Education Center is now the Airport Campus of Midlands Technical College.

Richland Technical Education Center (Richland TEC) was established in 1963 to address the need for specialized training for industrial growth, and the first students were enrolled in the fall of 1963. By 1969, the school’s enrollment expanded to 1,200 students and Lexington County officials joined forces with Richland County to form the Richland-Lexington Counties Commission for Technical Education. With this partnership, the name of the school was changed to Midlands Technical Education Center (TEC).

Approximately 15,500 students were enrolled in Midlands Technical Education Center between the years 1969-1974. Major programs of study were offered in industrial and engineering technologies, business and allied health. The site of the Midlands Technical Education Center is now the Beltline Campus of Midlands Technical College. Palmer College in Columbia, a private business college, joined with the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education in 1973. At that time, Palmer College annually enrolled 1,000 students in 16 associate degree and diploma programs. On March 21, 1973, the Columbia Technical Education Center, Midlands Technical Education Center and Palmer College in Columbia merged to form a single, multi-campus college. This new college operated as three separate entities governed by one local commission through June 1974. On July 1 of that year, the three separate institutions merged to form Midlands Technical College under the guidance of the Richland-Lexington Counties Commission for Technical Education.

Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Midlands Technical College provides a variety of educational opportunities that support its mission of human resource development in support of economic development.

More than 100 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs of study are offered. A strong college transfer program has evolved to allow students the opportunity to take the first two years of a baccalaureate degree and transfer to one of the state’s four-year institutions. Midlands Technical College is currently the largest feeder college to Columbia College and the University of South Carolina.

Midlands Technical College provides corporate and continuing education opportunities and has more than 25,000 enrollments annually and is the largest provider of corporate and continuing education of any college in the state. Off-campus sites provide classes for many residents.

More than 80 percent of MTC graduates who do not continue their education after graduation are employed in jobs related to their field of study. State-of-the-art equipment, a well-qualified faculty and staff, and hands-on experience give Midlands Technical College’s students the high-quality education and training they need to successfully compete in the marketplace.

MTC’s students are all ages — the average fall enrollment being 25 years old — and there are more females (60%) than males. The college employs 617 full-time people (fall, 2017).

Midlands Technical College's solid foundation in the past, together with the vision for excellence in the future, ensure citizens and students alike will be proud to call MTC their college.