CHERAW, SC — After 46 years in education, Northeastern Technical College President Dr. Ron Bartley announced plans to retire effective July 1, 2016.  He made the announcement at a meeting of NETC’s Area Commission last week.

“I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve as NETC’s president for the past eight years.  We had a few difficult years in the beginning, with the economy and reduced state funding, but we weathered the storm and have seen our college grow and prosper over last few the years,” said Bartley.

Bartley joined NETC in 2008 after working with West Virginia State Community and Technical College.  There, he served as vice president of academic affairs, and as interim president for 17 months prior to coming to NETC.  He had also previously spent 23 years with the Virginia Community College system in various teaching and leadership positions.

During his tenure at Northeastern Technical College, the college has continued to keep pace with the growing needs of the community.  Today, there are more online courses available, the dual enrollment/dual credit program is allowing students to earn college credit while in high school, and more programs are available to provide students with training for high wage, high skill careers in industry.

Dr. Bartley has also been very active in the community, serving on various chamber, economic development and private partnership boards in the NETC service area.

In an announcement to college employees, Dr. Bartley wrote, “I am confident that the college will prosper and continue to improve in the weeks, months, and years ahead.  While we have already begun a number of initiatives to help, there is room for more.”
 
The college’s future includes an expanded presence and facilities in Chesterfield, Marlboro, and Dillon Counties, with more opportunities focused on training individuals for high skill, high wage, high demand careers in local industry.
 
The NETC Area Commission plans to work closely with human resources and the State Technical College System in the next few months to recruit, screen and interview candidates for the position with an anticipated start date of July 1 or soon thereafter.

Northeastern Technical College serves Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon Counties of South Carolina and offers degrees, diplomas and certificates in a wide range of career fields as well as college transfer and continuing education.  For more information, visit www.netc.edu.