About Pellissippi State

Pellissippi State is a vital institution accustomed to transformation and growth. Since its founding in 1974 as State Technical Institute at Knoxville, the College has expanded the teaching of technology, the use of technology in instruction, and the transfer of technology to local business and industry in support of regional economic development.

Having enrolled only 45 students in its first year of operation, the institution experienced steady growth in the ’70s, adding business technology programs to its original core of engineering technology programs. As community awareness grew, so did expectations. In 1988, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved the expansion of the technical institute’s mission to include college transfer programs. This mission expansion was accompanied by a name change to Pellissippi State Technical Community College, and enrollment grew quickly.

As of fall 2007, a record-breaking 8,608 credit students were enrolled and even more non-credit students attended Pellissippi State.

The College continues to support and develop career/technical associate’s degrees and institutional certificates, university parallel associate’s degree programs, and continuing education opportunities for the citizens of Knox, Blount, and surrounding counties. In partnership with the community, the College sustains the effort toward an ever-improving quality of life for residents of East Tennessee.

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