Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
The new Sevier County campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) will open on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016 with a ceremony and ribbon-cutting beginning at 10 a.m.
As a part of the strategic plan for Sevier County, recruiting a 4-year college and TCAT to the county was a priority. The governments of Sevier County and the City of Sevierville purchased a 45,000-square-foot building on Red Bank Road that will house ETSU and TCAT and the institutions completed renovations to the building, including creating state of the art classrooms for students.
“This is a great day for the educational future for the residents of Sevier County. It is another great example of how good things happen when institutions work together. This project was a joint effort between Walters State Community College, East Tennessee State University, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, the Sevier County School System, Sevier County, and the City of Sevierville,” stated Sevierville Mayor Bryan Atchley.
ETSU will begin classes on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016 and offer classes Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Administrative offices hours will be Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Students have the opportunity to earn one of 12 degrees:
- B.A. in Business Management
- B.A. in Marketing Management
- S. in Early Childhood Education
- S. in K-6 Education
- S. in Special Education
- S. in Psychology
- S. in Human Services
- S.W. – Social Work
- RN-BSN in Nursing
- S. in Radiography
- A.S. – Bachelor in Applied Science
“The opening of the new ETSU center in Sevierville is an exciting step in our long-standing relationship with the people of this area,” said ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. “‘Stewardship of Place’ is a hallmark of what we do here at ETSU, and this new center allows us to share the resources of our university and improve the lives of the citizens of Sevierville, Sevier County and the surrounding region by expanding our program offerings and further extending our outreach.”
TCAT will begin classes in January 2017 offering two programs:
- Licensed Practical Nursing
- Administrative Office Technology.
Information on the programs and scholarships offered may be found at www.seviercountypip.com.
“Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown is thrilled to be a part of the higher education presence in Sevier County. Since first learning about this joint venture, I have been excited about the opportunity this partnership offers for TCAT and for all the TN Promise students from the class of 2016. Three Tennessee Board of Regents’ schools have come together to offer an opportunity unlike any I am aware of in the entire country. Students can work toward a diploma at the TCAT, an Associate Degree from Walters State, or a Bachelor’s Degree from East Tennessee State University – all basically free of charge. TCAT looks forward to expanding our presence in the coming years at the Red Bank Center and will begin in January 2017 offering our first programs – Licensed Practical Nursing and Administrative Office Technology. Residents of Sevier County are truly blessed to have this amazing opportunity,” stated TCAT Morristown Director Jerry Patton.
The Sevier County Economic Development Council, working in conjunction with the Sevier County School System, Walters State Community College (WSCC), East Tennessee State University and Sevier County, has developed an opportunity for our high school students to graduate from ETSU with a four-year degree in three years.
“The Sevier County School System, Walters State, ETSU and TCAT have created a unique opportunity for students in Sevier County. This is a great example of many groups coming together to help prepare our citizens for the 21st century workplace,” said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters.
The new Partners in Progress Education Program will provide scholarship dollars, along with the Hope scholarship and scholarship dollars from the Sevier County School System, to pay for tuition of up to 8 dual enrollment classes taught by WSCC. Students completing 8 dual enrollment classes upon graduation from high school could enter Walters State Community College as a sophomore, leaving only 3 years until they could graduate from ETSU.
Sevier County School Superintendent Dr. Jack A. Parton stated, “I am excited about the opportunities that will be available to our graduates through ETSU and TCAT partnerships. Without a doubt, the opening of a higher education facility in Sevier County will provide many options for our young people as they make decisions about engaging in post-secondary education and training. I believe that this high degree of access to college and technical education will enhance the workforce in our county and region.”
The Tennessee Promise will pick up the tuition costs for Walters State Community College. Upon graduation from WSCC, a student will have access of up to $2,000 per semester from the Partners in Progress Scholarship for up to 4 semesters at the Sevier County campus of ETSU. With the scholarships from the Sevier County School System, Tennessee Promise, Hope Scholarship, institutional scholarships and the Partners in Progress scholarships, a Sevier County student will have the opportunity to graduate with a 4-year degree from ETSU with little or no tuition cost. Students will pay for books and various other fees required by the colleges.
“This partnership will increase access to higher education for students in Sevier County and give them the chance to earn a four-year degree without leaving the county.” Also, it is a testament to the visionary leadership of the Sevier County Economic Development Council and its municipal partners. Through the Partners in Progress scholarship program, they are greatly enhancing our efforts and the state’s to increase the number of Tennesseans with college degrees” stated Walters State Community College President Dr. Tony Miksa.
A synopsis of the general requirements for a Sevier County student to be eligible for this scholarship program are:
- Must be a resident of Sevier County
- Must graduate from a Sevier County high school and have attended a Sevier County high school their entire senior year
- Must be academically eligible to be admitted to the various schools
- Must be a full-time student as defined by each institution
- Must graduate from WSCC or have enough hours from WSCC to be considered a junior at ETSU
- Must make satisfactory progress as defined by each institution
- Must maintain Hope Scholarship eligibility
To simplify the registration process for dual enrollment, admission into Walters State, TCAT and ETSU, the Sevier County Economic Development Council has developed a website that will be a one-stop resource for this college program. This website has a step by step registration process for the program taking the parent and student from dual enrollment in high school thru graduation at ETSU. This website should take the mystery and confusion out of registering for college. Students and parents who have specific questions about this program should visit the website to submit their questions. The website is www.seviercountypip.com.
