Delaware Technical Community College

Community college in Delaware, U. S.

Delaware Technical Community College (previously Delaware Technical & Community College, also known as DTCC, Delaware Tech, or Del Tech) is a public community college in the U. S. state of Delaware. Delaware Tech is an open admission institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The college offers two Bachelor of Science degrees, more than 100 associate degrees, diplomas, and numerous certificate programs. Of these programs, 48 are accredited degree programs with articulation agreements with 61 other higher learning institutions. It is the only community college in the state. The four component campuses that make up the college are the Jack F. Owens Campus in Georgetown, Delaware, the Stanton Campus in Stanton, Delaware, the Charles L. Terry Campus in Dover, and the Orlando J. George, Jr. Campus in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Delaware General Assembly created Delaware Technical Community College in 1966 with the approval of House Bill 529, signed into law by then Governor Charles L. Terry, Jr. The first Delaware Tech campus opened its doors in Sussex County in September 1967 with Dr. Paul K. Weatherly serving as the first president. Three hundred sixty seven students enrolled in the first year. Enrollment doubled in the second year, and the construction of new laboratories and classrooms began. The Southern Campus was renamed in 1995 to the "Owens Campus" in honor of its first campus director, Jack F. Owens. In 1968, a Northern Campus was opened with 375 full time students enrolled in the first year. A multi campus facility was created, and the Stanton and Wilmington locations were opened in 1973 and 1974, respectively. With a Delaware Tech campus in both Sussex and New Castle Counties, it was determined that 47% of high school juniors and seniors in Kent County said they would be interested in a Kent County branch of Delaware Tech. In response to this need, Kent Campus was established in Dover in 1972, and the name was later changed to "Terry Campus" in honor of Governor Charles Terry, who was a motivating force behind the establishment of the college. The President's Office, located adjacent to the Terry Campus, functions as a central office by providing various services in support of the campuses.

The Delaware Tech Athletic Department operates under the guidance of the Dean of Student Services and follows all bylaws and regulations established by the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIX. Students interested in athletic participation must meet NJCAA eligibility requirements. The Owens Campus hosts the softball and baseball team practices. The baseball team won the 2001 NJCAA D2 World Series. Although the men's and women's cross country team practices at all campuses, home meets are typically held at the Owens campus, and the team wears blue uniforms. The Stanton campus hosts both men's and women's basketball team practices and women's volleyball team practices. The team colors are green and white. The Terry Campus hosts the men's lacrosse team practices.

Delaware Technical Community College has "Connected Degree" agreements and programs with other higher education institutions in the state. Individuals may earn an associate degree at Del Tech and then transfer previously earned credits to other Delaware institutions at a possibly lower cost to the student. Of the more than 200 connected degree agreements, most are with are with the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Wilmington University. In the 2019–2020 school year, 14,029 students were enrolled in Delaware Tech. The gender ratio for that year is ~0.65 female and ~0.35 male. Students out of state can be expected to take classes at 2.5 times the cost as in state students. Although a more expensive option for out of state residents, in state students are eligible to apply for the Delaware SEED Scholarship, which is intended to reduce the burden on the student to just books and course fees.