Middle Georgia State College prepares for official university status

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With less than a month before Middle Georgia State College turns into a university, officials with the school prepare to market and re-brand.

Student Brittany Ramos says it’s a much needed change.  

“I’m really excited. I’ve been to this school since 2010. We’ve been waiting for opportunity to have more programs.”

Student Markeith Sims adds it’s a great change.

“And I think that it would bring a lot of benefits the community.”

On July first signs, posters, banners and wayfinders will come down and the new brand will go up.

Marketing and Communications Director Cheryl Carty oversees the entire branding effort.

“When we received the green light in March, we have been going 100 miles ever since,” says Carty.

David Sims is the Assistant Vice President for Facilities at the school. He says all of the signs and billboards along major interstates from Atlanta to Valdosta will cost more than $300,000 to replace.

“Currently we’re on schedule,” adds Sims.

Carty and Sims hope the re-branding efforts and adding on new programs will boost enrollment from 5,000 students to 9,000 students within a few years.

“…..It means we’ll have more of those graduates coming into the middle Georgia area, and that’s good for all of us,” says Sims.

“It allows the workforce in the region to begin to have those new graduate credentials that will advance them in their careers,” says Carty.