The Garrett College Foundation has created a new fund to support the College’s newest academic program.
Garrett College will launch an associate degree program in radiologic sciences in summer 2025. The new fund will support the greatest needs in preparing for the first cohort, which will include 15 full-time students who will comprise the first graduating class in spring 2027.
“It’s so considerate, generous, and significant for our new program,” Professor Christa Bowser, GC’s chief academic officer, said of the anonymous gift. “This is a program that our region needs, and we’re pleased we are going to be able to fulfill that need.
“Currently, the nearest program is an hour away, and the nearest in-state program is in Hagerstown,” added Bowser. “This program will serve a large portion of Western Maryland in addition to locations in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.”
Bowser also noted that jobs are plentiful – with the number of radiologic technologist positions across the nation growing 6 percent annually – and 2023 median pay was over $76,000 annually.
“That’s an extremely high median pay for a position with the associate’s degree as the entry-level educational requirement,” said Bowser.
Bowser said the College is currently developing an on-campus learning lab for the first student cohort, which will begin next June.
She also said the College has preliminary agreements with various hospital and clinical sites in both Maryland and West Virginia for the students to obtain their clinical experiences. The program includes 15 radiologic technology courses totaling 47 credits in the 70-credit degree.
