Marketing and Communications

It’s official: Pellissippi State Community College’s enrollment hit another record high this fall.

The college takes a final headcount 14 days after the start of classes, and the number at that point was 10,295 students.

“In tough economic times, Pellissippi State is there, providing accessible, affordable education to new and returning students,” said Allen Edwards, Pellissippi State president.

Across the nation, community colleges have seen a dramatic increase in student enrollment. The rise is attributed to a struggling economy.

Pellissippi State had 8,742 students last fall.

Tennessee is expected to have the highest nursing shortage in the Southeast by 2020, according to the “Tennessee Nurse,” the official publication of the Tennessee Nurses Association. The shortfall cited at the 2009 Nursing Education Capacity Summit in Baltimore, Md., was a projected 35,000 registered nurses.

The Tennessee Health Care Education Summit in Nashville in June brought together stakeholders from across the state to address Tennessee’s growing nursing and allied health professionals shortage.

Anthony Wise, chief academic officer and vice president of the Learning Division at Pellissippi State Community College, took part in the summit. Pellissippi State is among the colleges and universities working to increase the number of RN and other health-profession graduates.

The institution, in partnership with the American Red Cross, offers a Nurse Aide Training program at the Magnolia Avenue Campus, 1610 E. Magnolia Ave. While many who attend plan to work permanently as a certified nursing assistant, others will use the training and job experience as foundation for an eventual licensed practical nurse or RN position.

In either case, the NAT program helps prepare its graduates for finding employment in the high-demand field of health care. The program is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and meets all state and federal requirements.

The program offers two scheduling options, depending on the time of year: a four-week day and a seven-week evening curriculum. Instruction in both includes hands-on, real-life experience and thorough training designed to prepare students to take and pass the CNA exam.

The next two sessions—Aug. 31-Oct. 15 and Oct. 21-Dec. 10—are scheduled 5:30-9:30 p.m. Clinicals take place at local nursing facilities for four days, during the hours of 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

To register or request additional information, call the local Red Cross, (865) 584-2999, or visit www.knoxarc.org.

You need more than a computer to make good grades in college.

Whether you’re a first-time college student or an adult returning to campus years later, brushing up on your study and organizational skills will make furthering your education a little easier.

Pellissippi State Community College invites you to attend a free “Study Smart” workshop in August. In it, new and potential students will learn how to develop a personal study plan, create a system to retain information, become an active learner, maximize organizational skills and improve academic and classroom study skills.

The workshop will be offered three times: Aug. 4, 12-2 p.m.; Aug. 10, 4-6 p.m.; and Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Each session takes place in Room 151 of the Alexander Building on the Pellissippi Campus on Hardin Valley Road. Parking is free.

To make a reservation, contact Gayle Wood at (865) 539-7160 or gwood@pstcc.edu.

Pellissippi State Community College students can take weekend classes this fall and pay half the normal cost of tuition.

The Weekend Scholars program provides an alternative for students who may not be able to attend during the week or take classes online, according to Anthony Wise, vice president of the Learning Division for the college.

“Pellissippi State is committed to offering quality education that is accessible, affordable and practical during these challenging economic times,” said Wise.

Students can take general education classes in disciplines such as English, mathematics and history, as well as in video production technology and music appreciation. The college already offers science labs, video-based courses and public speaking classes Friday evenings and Saturdays.

The reduced rate applies to all fall weekend courses. “Weekend” classes are defined as those that begin on Friday 3 p.m. or after and those offered on Saturday.

Classes will be at the Pellissippi Campus on Hardin Valley Road. For more information, call (865) 694-6400.

More high school students in Knox and Blount counties could be entering Tennessee’s workforce, associate’s degree in hand, at the same age that their peers across the state are merely receiving a high school diploma. Knoxville-based Pellissippi State Community College is increasing the number of courses available in Dual Enrollment, a program that allows high school students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously.

Until recently, the program offered courses in English composition, U.S. history, human anatomy and physiology, college algebra and precalculus. Spring 2009, the college added a Video Production Technology course. The class, offered at Knox County’s Karns High School, was Pellissippi State’s first Career/Technical course available on a high school campus. Career/Technical degree programs prepare students to enter the workforce directly after graduating.

Response to growth in demand. “This semester, we’ve seen nearly 500 students participate in our Dual Enrollment program,” said Leigh Anne Touzeau, Pellissippi State’s assistant vice president of Enrollment Services. “We hope to see that number double over the next year.”

Proposed courses for the fall 2009 semester are in the following Career/Technical majors and concentrations: Computer Accounting, Computer Integrated Drafting and Design Technology, Early Childhood Education, Engineering Technology, Hospitality, Interior Design Technology, Paralegal Studies and Photography. The VPT course will continue in the Dual Enrollment program, as well.

Home-school student simultaneously earns high school diploma and associate’s degree. One Knoxville student, Stephani Turner, participated in Pellissippi State’s spring 2009 Commencement ceremony and earned her high school diploma at the same time. She plans to enter the University of Tennessee¬– Knoxville in enterprise marketing. The fact that she already has an Associate of Science degree makes her more marketable should she decide to work prior to or during her continued studies. The oldest of five children, Turner is Pellissippi State’s first student to receive a high school diploma and an associate’s degree during the same academic year.

Sound economics. For students and their families, Pellissippi State’s Dual Enrollment program makes sound economic sense. Students may apply for the Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant, which pays up to $300 per semester ($600 per academic year) toward coursework. Though students are responsible for purchasing required textbooks and course materials, most pay less than $100 to take one Dual Enrollment course. The program is open to Knox and Blount county juniors and seniors who meet the grade point average and ACT requirements for their planned course(s). Students enroll for the courses through Pellissippi State.

Pellissippi State’s Dual Enrollment program, with its new emphasis on Career/Technical courses, is one example of a community college’s getting involved in the CTE vision. And program participants enter Tennessee’s workforce not only prepared for a career but prepared early.