College Outreach Fairs Set Statewide for ITT Tech Students

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) are partnering to host a series of college outreach fairs and information sessions for students affected by the closure of ITT Technical Institute.

The events will provide students with information and resources on transferring to new institutions, financial aid options, and other resources for continuing their education in the wake of ITT Technical Institute closures. Events will be held in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Johnson City and Gallatin and will feature admissions and financial aid representatives from local community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs).

“Many of these students are researching options and time is of the essence for them,” said THEC Executive Director Mike Krause. “Our strategy with this outreach is simple:  information for students, interactions where they can speak directly with advisors and college personnel, and a transition back into higher education so they complete their credential.”

Last week, Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin announced information sessions specifically for ITT Technical Institute students interested in enrolling at the campus.  To help simplify student transfer processes, Volunteer State is also expediting review of credits earned at ITT Technical Institute, advising students of financial aid options, and determining where prior learning and other credit opportunities are available for students. Other institutions across the state have scheduled similar events.

“Tennessee’s Community Colleges and the TCATs have worked quickly to provide options for ITT Tech students,” said TBR Chancellor David Gregory. “Our goal is to help these students remain enrolled in college and make the transition into TBR schools as simple as possible.” 

The college fairs are just one aspect of many resources being provided to students who were most recently enrolled at ITT Technical Institute. THEC set up a hotline for students to call (615-741-5293) with questions regarding their individual situations and the agency has also been continuously updating its website, www.tn.gov/thec, with new information as it is available. The THEC website also features a list of programs at other institutions that are comparable to ITT offerings. The list also notes which schools have provided offerings specially geared to students who were enrolled at the recently-closed college.

THEC is reaching out to ITT Technical Institute students through email to let them know of the college outreach fairs and other resources that are available. 

Information on Events

• Chattanooga: Three information sessions at Chattanooga State Community College, all in Room S-262 of the Student Center:

Wednesday, September 14, 11:30 am eastern
Tuesday, September 20, 11:00 am eastern
Thursday, September 22, 5:30 pm eastern

Additionally, Chattanooga State encourages ITT students to attend the Lookout Counseling Association Career Fair on Thursday, September 15 and Friday, September 16 from 9 am to 2 pm eastern both days in the campus’s gym.

• Gallatin: Two sessions at Volunteer State Community College:

Friday, September 16, 2016, 12 pm central (Caudill Hall Room 102)
Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 7 pm central (Mattox Building Room 102)

ITT Technical Institute students can register for the Volunteer State information sessions only at http://volstate.edu/itt/.

• Johnson City: Thursday, September 15, 2016, 2 pm to 7 pm eastern, Northeast State Community College's Johnson City campus, located at 101 E. Market Street.

• Knoxville: Five sessions at Pellissippi State Community College:

Wednesday, September 14, 3 pm eastern
Friday, September 16, 2 pm eastern
Monday, September 19, 5:30 pm eastern
Wednesday, September 21, 3 pm eastern
Friday, September 23, 2 pm eastern

All sessions are in the Goins Building Auditorium at Pellissippi’s Hardin Valley Campus. ITT Technical Institute students can register for the Pellissippi information sessions only at http://www.pstcc.edu/itt/.

• Memphis: Thursday, September 15, 2016, 6 pm central, Nabors Auditorium, Southwest Tennessee Community College’s Macon Cove Campus, 5983 Macon Cove. 

• Nashville: Thursday, September 15, 2016, 6 pm central, TCAT Nashville

Media contacts:

Kate Derrick (THEC), kate.derrick@tn.gov, 615-532-0428

Richard Locker (TBR), rick.locker@tbr.edu, 615-366-4417

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission was created in 1967 by the Tennessee General Assembly.  The Commission develops, implements, and evaluates postsecondary education policies and programs in Tennessee while coordinating the state’s systems of higher education, and is relentlessly focused on increasing the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary credential.