Letter from the President

It’s hard to believe that another decade has come and gone. The 2010s were marked by planning, progress, and change. And a lot has changed.

The decade began much as the last one ended, with most of the world still in the middle of a financial crisis, high unemployment, and a depressed housing market.

Apple had just released the new iPhone 4 and the first iPad, bringing the new technology of touch screen computing to new levels. Microsoft combined Bing and Yahoo search technology in an attempt to break the Google monopoly and Android powered phones began to outsell Apple in the smart phone market.

Solar power also began plunging in cost and Augmented Reality started entering the mainstream. Speech-to-speech translation became common on mobile phones and consumer-level robotics started to take off.

Fast-forward 10 years and the world today is a much different place. The economy is growing, unemployment is at a record low, and the housing market has rebounded.

And the technological changes are even more dramatic. Automation is now commonplace and permeating every industry — from farming to freight transport. The sales of electric and hybrid trucks have surpassed 100,000 annually and web-connected video devices now exceed the global population. Wireless, implantable devices can now monitor health conditions in real time, and 3D printing is now mainstream in consumer technology.

These changes aren’t just fascinating — they are impacting the work that Dunwoody does on a day-today basis. We are educating today’s workforce and tomorrow’s leaders, all of whom are entering industries that are not just changing year to year, but month to month. As industry changes — so must we.

Dunwoody has always been a leader in teaching students the skills needed to adapt to a changing marketplace. Skills like collaboration and creative problem-solving are some of the things that set Dunwoody students apart — and one of the reasons they are in such high demand.

In fact, the demand for these skilled workers has never been higher. Students who earned their degree from Dunwoody last May had an average of 15.7 job inquiries per graduate.

We are committed to keeping ahead of these trends and changes, which is why we have dedicated the last five years to accomplishing the goals we set in Vision 2020. We strategically invested in growing the College through

new programs, partnerships, and pipelines. We worked to develop the Dunwoody student through a revitalized student life program and student support systems, and we worked to raise the profile of the College and invested in our campus and brand.

We can be proud of the accomplishments we’ve made, even as we focus on what the future holds. All of these things wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our alumni, friends, industry partners, and donors.

As we enter a new year and a new decade, I’m excited about what lays ahead. I know that the legacy of innovation, hard work, and determination will continue. I’m looking forward to beginning the next chapter of success and growth, and I’m grateful to be surrounded by a community that is still committed to Dunwoody’s mission of changing lives and building opportunities for more students to gain access to the great careers a Dunwoody education makes possible.

Stay committed. Be proud. Together we are Dunwoody!

Rich Wagner, Ph.D. President, Dunwoody College of Technology