Christy Pittman can still remember the scent of her Daddy’s woodshop when she was young. “I’ve always loved the smell of sawdust, woodsmoke, paint and varnish,” remembers Pittman, now 53 and a grandmother of three. “That is where my love of design began.” Now, after 20 years as a nail… Read More »Graduate spotlight: Degree takes salon owner from nail design to interior design
After years of struggling in class and feeling like a failure, Pamela Coffin was ready to give up on college. Pamela first came to Pellissippi State because of her daughter, who encouraged her to go to college through the Tennessee Reconnect program. However, after failing several classes, Pamela became discouraged and thought something had to be… Read More »Graduate spotlight: Coffin finds support, starts business caring for others
In the span of three months in early 2019, Nick Galloway lost his livelihood and his father. “I was looking for a new career after working for the family business since I was 6,” remembers Nick, who was 38 at the time. “It was abrupt, but I have two children.… Read More »Graduate spotlight: Galloway obtains industry certification before graduation
Kieshia Edwards has always dreamed of becoming a nurse. After her niece encouraged her to go to college and pursue her dream of working in the medical field, Kieshia enrolled at Pellissippi State in 2012 to get her nursing school prerequisites. Since she was also working part-time at a dialysis… Read More »Graduate spotlight: Edwards overcame challenges to finish what she started
Matthew Plummer, a flight paramedic with UT LIFESTAR, knew he wanted to keep increasing his earning potential, but he also didn’t want to miss important moments with his growing family. “Pellissippi State has the Nursing Bridge program, which appealed to me because it is an accelerated pathway,” explains Matthew, who… Read More »Graduate spotlight: Paramedic completes Nursing degree while working full time
When most people think of rocks, they probably don’t get very excited. But that’s not the case for Tracy Homer, who will graduate from Pellissippi State this month. Tracy, a self-proclaimed science nerd, is so passionate about geology, she decided to make it into a career. Tracy is enrolled in Pellissippi State’s Tennessee Transfer Pathway for… Read More »Graduate spotlight: Homer maps out career path in map making
‘Twas the week before finals, and all through the classroom … robots were dancing to the classic “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye. “When I told them their lab final would be a dance party, they said, ‘You’re kidding, right?’” laughed Assistant Professor Curtis Holmes. He was… Read More »Electrical Engineering Technology students prove mastery of skills with robot dance party
A global pandemic couldn’t stop these Pellissippi State Community College students from graduating. The 520 fall graduates and 266 summer graduates will welcome back some normalcy next week, as Pellissippi State holds its first indoor Commencement since fall 2019. Pellissippi State’s Commencement will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec.… Read More »Pellissippi State Commencement returns to Thompson-Boling Arena
Pellissippi State Community College’s Business and Community Services has brought home an international award for its Lifelong Learning course publication. The 18-page fall 2021 publication won an International Award for Excellence in Brochure Design from the Learning Resources Network last week. LERN is the world’s largest association in continuing education… Read More »Pellissippi State Business and Community Services wins international award for interactive design
Arrive early for Pellissippi State Community College’s hugely popular Holiday Spectacular, as seating is limited and only one show will be performed this year. The Holiday Spectacular highlights the talents of more than 150 Pellissippi State students and faculty performing classic winter tunes and carols. “We Need a Little Christmas,”… Read More »Seating limited, arrive early for annual Holiday Spectacular