Our Story

Our Mission

To provide the region’s most accessible, supportive, and personal pathway to career success.

Vision

A highly educated workforce elevates quality of life and contributes to a thriving community.

Core Values

• Innovation | Improve continuously through learning, teaching, technology, and training.
• Diversity | Provide pathways to success for all in a wide range of fields.
• Integrity | Earn trust by doing what we say we will do.
• Community | Shape better places to learn, live, work, and grow.
• People | Commit to the success of each person we teach, engage, and employ.

Value Proposition

MTC students achieve career success through flexible, affordable, and transferable real-world education.

Brand Promise

Deliver life-changing experiences that lead to professional success.

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Marion Technical College is located in Marion, Ohio, and has provided local students with quality higher education options for more than 50 years.

With more than 60 majors, transfer programs, associate degree, and certificate programs in business, IT, health care, and the arts and sciences, MTC makes it easy for students to earn a degree and transfer to a four-year college.

By starting local, MTC helps students achieve career success and save money – as much as two hundred dollars per credit hour.

History of MTC

• The Ohio Board of Regents chartered the Marion County Technical Institute in 1970 and offices were established on the Marion Campus with The Ohio State University at Marion. During the following year, classes were offered for the first time to 187 students enrolled in four degree programs.
• In 1972, the Ohio Legislature changed the school name to Marion Technical College and the first MTC class graduated. The first formal commencement ceremony was held in 1973 for 42 graduates.
• In 1976, MTC expanded its academic programs with the opening of the Technical Education Center and enrollment surpassed OSU Marion with 799 students. The following year, MTC was granted an initial three-year accreditation by NCA, and its registered nursing associate degree program became one of only three Ohio programs to receive the National League for Nursing accreditation.

The 1980s                                                                          

• The Marion Campus Student Center opened in 1986 and dramatically expanded activities and athletics for MTC students. In 1988, the Marion Technical College Foundation, Inc. was created and began its first campaign to raise funds for student scholarships. 
• In 1989, MTC began offering post-secondary enrollment option (PSEO) courses for qualifying high school juniors and seniors.

The 1990s 

• By 1991, MTC offered more than 30 one-year certificates and two-year associate degree programs. The ground was broken in 1992 for the Technical Education Center Annex. Five years later, the $7.2 million Marion Campus Library/Classroom building was completed and, in 1998, MTC offered its first online class.

The 2000s 

• Marion General Hospital’s Radiography program moved to Marion Technical College in 2001. 
• In the fall of 2003, enrollment at MTC reached an all-time high of 2,137 students and enrollment continued to increase through 2011. A record 284 graduates received an associate degree or certificate at MTC’s commencement activities in 2006. This graduating class included four Highland High School students who completed MTC’s telecommunications academy and graduated from high school and college within the same week!
• MTC offered online registration and fee payment for the first time in 2008.

The 2010s 

• Work began on the foundation of a new MTC building in 2010. Fall enrollment in 2011 hit a record high of 2,788 students and the Health Technologies Center opened its doors. Students gained access to new labs for nursing, medical science, medical assisting, and computer technology, plus a 150-seat lecture hall.
• In 2012, MTC partnered with Tri-Rivers and OSU Marion to create the Robotics and Manufacturing Technical Education Center (RAMTEC).
• The Workforce Solutions and the Engineering Department relocated to Bryson Hall in 2013. Renovations to the building began the following year and included student computer labs, math labs, engineering classrooms, and IT classrooms. A state-of-the-art X-ray machine was also added to the campus.
• Beginning in 2016, Marion Technical College created the Alumni Hall of Fame Award to celebrate our outstanding graduates, their accomplishments, leadership, and community involvement.  This award honors individuals who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and who also set examples for current and future students.  This induction ceremony is traditionally held on the third Thursday of November.
• In 2017, early college student enrollment reached more than 1000 students.
• In 2018, MTC introduced a new strategic plan, featuring key performance indicators (KPIs) that align not only with our mission but also with the data-driven metrics of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The college's goals for student, community and institutional success continue to evolve, resulting in a strategic plan that aims to meet, exceed, and strive for programs and initiatives to propel MTC forward.
• In the fall of 2018, MTC opened its new, state-of-the-art anatomy and physiology lab with support from OhioHealth.  This 1400 square foot classroom provides a modern lab with hands-on learning for health care students taking anatomy and physiology.
• In 2019, the MarionMade! program moved to MTC after several successful years at the Marion Community Foundation.  MTC takes an active role in helping local businesses, nonprofits and others show their Marion pride.

The 2020s

• Marion Technical College received its first-ever National Science Foundation grant in 2020.  This $477,868 grant allows MTC to create a new Smart Manufacturing program to help graduates find in-demand jobs with the skills to manage new technology.   The grant provided $170,870 in new equipment, new classes, a new associate degree, and two new certificates.  It also included professional development opportunities for college instructors and local high school teachers interested in teaching engineering,
• In 2020, MTC also received a $2.2M five-year Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant which helps schools better serve low-income students by improving their academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability.  The focus of MTC’s grant is on recruiting students, student persistence, and degree completion.
• Early 2021 brought the opening of MTC’s new location in downtown Marion at 107 N. Main Street.  This provides dedicated space for workforce solutions training, a small business incubator for entrepreneurs, MarionMade!, the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy as well as the Aspire classes for those studying to get their General Education Equivalency (GED).
• Also in 2021, the ribbon-cutting for the Connections Center sponsored by Wyandot Snacks was held.  This new space in Bryson Hall offers a one-stop location for students facing stressful issues outside the classroom to find resources and assistance. Wyandot Snacks generously supports the Connections Center and Marion Tech students working to achieve their next goals.  The Connections Center was also funded through the Title III grant and funding from both OhioHealth and the Marion Rotary Club.
• In March 2022, Marion Technical College took its first-ever study abroad trip to London and Paris.  This had been delayed by two years due to the COVID pandemic.
• On Weds., May 25, 2022, Marion Technical College Foundation held its first-ever golf outing.  At this event, 27 teams participated and $20,000 was raised for student scholarships.
• In June 2022, MTC was selected as one of 16 community colleges nationwide to participate in a two year Rural Guided Pathways project to help remove barriers for students and help increase both retention and persistence.
• In March 2023, Marion Technical College was the first Ohio community college to begin offering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
• In April 2023, MTC dedicated the Ohio Peace Office Training Academy (OPOTA) in memory of Deputy Brandy Winfield.  Deputy Winfield, an MTC alum, died in the line of duty protecting our community.
• In July 2023, MTC was selected to participate in the Complete College America Accelerator Program, which provides no-cost technical assistance in a variety of areas such as finance and student success.
• During the Fall of 2023, the campus began Campus Caring training for faculty and staff to elevate the student experience.  This work, in addition to the work of the Rural Guided Pathways, demonstrates MTC’s commitment to our students and making them feel included.
• In March 2024, MTC took its second study abroad trip to Italy.  Over 30 students, staff, faculty and community members enjoyed Florence, Verona, Venice, Rome, Pompeii, Sorento and the Island of Capri.
• In July 2024, Marion Tech received the US Department of Labor grant designed to improve enrollment in Engineering Technical Pathways; $585,000 through 2028.
• In October 2024, MTC received the US Department of Education Rural Postsecondary Education award to improve post-secondary enrollment of rural students - $1,700,000 through 2028.
• In early 2025, Marion Tech was chosen as one of 16 colleges to continue their Rural Guided Pathways to continue to remove barriers to student success.
• In February 2025, a National Science Foundation (NFS) S-STEM award to improve enrollment is Science, Technology, engineering, and Math careers was received. $998,000 through 2030; includes $600,000 of scholarship awards for students.
• In February 2025, MTC was named as a finalist in the Bellwether Competition and was selected to present information about the grants partnership between Columbus State Community College and Marion Tech at the Community College Futures Assembly.
• In 2025, Marion Tech began to launch the transition to 8-week classes across all academic programs.  This was based upon recognized best practices to support student academic and career success and help our students achieve their goals.
• MTC has experienced all-time record enrollment since the spring 2024 term, and exceeded 3,500 student enrollment in spring 2025.