Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)

The College System of Tennessee is proud to announce the inaugural Faculty Innovation Fellowship class, part of the Maxine Smith Leadership Series. This year-long fellowship supports faculty in developing research-backed innovations that advance student success across Tennessee’s community and technical colleges. Fellows will work closely with the TBR Office of Policy and Strategy to analyze student outcomes data and design pilot projects aligned with campus goals. Congratulations to the Faculty Innovation Fellowship Class of 2026: Dr. April Crenshaw, associate professor of mathematics at Chattanooga State Community College ; Leah Frauendienst, associate professor of mathematics at Volunteer State Community College and Dr. Tabetha Garman, associate professor of history at Northeast State Community College. The fellows begin their work this month, and we look forward to the impact their ideas and leadership will have across the system. Learn more about the Maxine Smith Leadership Series on the College System of Tennessee website at https://bit.ly/49vakc2

Patrick Boggs, Director of Legislation and Advancement for the Tennessee Board of Regents, led legislative interns Ella Muncy and Noelle Porterfield on a tour of the Tennessee State Capitol today. Their visit gave them a behind-the-scenes look at the legislative process as things gear up for the upcoming legislative session!

Electricians are essential to keeping the nuclear sector running, and Tennessee's community and technical colleges are helping to develop our workforce. With hands-on training in industrial maintenance and electrical engineering, along with industry-relevant certifications, graduates will be job-ready in this high-paying, growing career field. We're fueling Tennessee's future in clean energy! Learn more at tbr.edu/nuclear. ⚛️

As we welcome the New Year, we would like to thank our students, faculty, staff, donors, community partners and alumni for another incredible year. Your support helps expand opportunity and strengthen communities across Tennessee. It's only possible because of you! We’re proud of what we accomplished together and excited for what’s ahead. Happy New Year! It's going to be a good one! 🎉

The Tennessee Board of Regents and TBR - The College System of Tennessee extend warm wishes to all our students, faculty, staff and community partners for a peaceful and joyous Holiday season. This time of year offers a valuable opportunity for rest, reflection and connection with loved ones. We are proud of the dedication shown across our 36 institutions and look forward to continuing our shared commitment to education and student success in the new year. ❄️ Wishing you a safe, joyful and restful Holiday season.

🤝 Partnerships, like the one between Komatsu & Chattanooga State, showcase the power of connecting students with hands-on learning opportunities and employers with skilled future talent. 🎓 Youth apprenticeships are paving the way for Tennessee companies to build reliable talent pipelines while providing students with real-world experience that leads to strong, fulfilling careers. As Tennessee continues to elevate and align workforce efforts statewide, stories like this highlight what's possible. #TNWorks #WorkforceDevelopment Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Tennessee Department of Human Services Tennessee Higher Education Commission https://bit.ly/4ozmxSG

Tennessee’s community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology collected and donated the equivalent of 163,175 food items and cash during the 27th Annual Food Drive Challenge, far surpassing last year’s total! These donations are helping stock campus food pantries for students in need and support local food banks across the state. A huge thank you to the participating students, faculty, and staff whose generosity and community spirit made this possible. This initiative, launched in 1999 by student leaders, shows the power of working together in addressing food insecurity and strengthening our communities! Learn more on the College System of Tennessee website at https://bit.ly/44BR0IK

Today marks the first day of winter.❄️ ☃️ We wish our students, faculty and staff a restful upcoming winter break. This season marks a time for reflection and preparation for the new year. May the months ahead bring comfort, renewal and new opportunities. #FirstDayOfWinter

“Receiving the Sam Odom Scholarship truly changed my life.” While pursuing her nursing degree at Columbia State Community College, Hassie Bigbie faced housing instability that made it difficult to focus on academics. Support from the Sam Odom Scholarship helped cover essential needs, allowing her to complete her program and move forward with confidence. Hassie is now beginning her nursing career at Ascension Saint Thomas, working on the cardiac stepdown unit—an example of how donor support directly strengthens student success and Tennessee’s healthcare workforce. Learn how you can support students like Hassie through the Chancellor's Fund for Excellence at https://bit.ly/4nsgEpS

Congratulations to Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Knoxville on the opening of its new Union County Campus in Maynardville. Built in partnership with Walters State Community College and Union County Schools, this new facility expands access to career and technical education and creates new pathways for students to gain in-demand skills close to home. The Tennessee Board of Regents is proud to celebrate this important investment in Union County and the strong collaboration behind it.