Enrollment in TN Colleges of Applied Technology increased 19 percent in academic year 2023-24 over previous year: Board of Regents report

Total enrollment in the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) increased to 44,723 during academic year 2023-24 – a 19 percent increase over the previous year – according to a new report presented to the Tennessee Board of Regents during its quarterly meeting Tuesday, Dec. 10.

The growth occurred across all sectors of students, but dual enrollment – high school students who are also enrolled in career and technical education programs at the TCATs – continued to show the largest increase, up 31 percent over academic year 2022-23.  Enrollment of high school graduates and other adults in traditional TCAT diploma and certificate programs increased 7 percent. And enrollment in special industry and other supplemental programs increased by 25 percent, to 10,590 students.

There are 24 TCAT main campuses across the state – each with multiple branch campuses in their regions – offering a broad range of career and technical education programs.  The TCATs awarded 7,925 career and technical diplomas and certificates to program graduates during the 2023-24 academic year (three trimesters).

TCAT enrollment growth continued with the current Fall trimester, where enrollment registrations in the TCATs were up 20 percent over Fall 2023.

The Board of Regents governs Tennessee’s public community colleges and TCATs. The complete agenda, video recording of Tuesday’s meeting, and complete board background materials are posted on the TBR website at https://www.tbr.edu/board/december-2024-quarterly-board-meeting.

The Board also received the system’s annual fundraising report. The 13 community colleges received a total of $19,219,484 in contributions through their foundations during fiscal year 2023-24, an increase of $1,540,456 from the previous year. Nashville State Community College led the community colleges in fundraising with $4.28 million, followed by Roane State Community College with just over $4.2 million and Dyersburg State Community College with $2.27 million.

Funds and in-kind donations contributed through the systemwide Foundation for the College System of Tennessee totaled $642,754 during the fiscal year. Since the systemwide foundation was reconstituted in Fiscal Year 2019, it has distributed $980,342 in scholarship funds to students.

Board members also received an update on construction projects underway across the system. There are 29 major projects, mostly at the TCATs, totaling $884 million and funded by a $1 billion investment by Gov. Bill Lee and the General Assembly in the fiscal year 2023-24 state budget; 21 previously funded TCAT projects totaling over $500 million; 34 community college projects totaling $274 million, and 11 major-maintenance projects at TCATs totaling $10 million. In addition to those projects, the TBR Office of Facilities Development is helping to oversee 45 projects totaling $530 million at state universities that were formerly part of the TBR system.

In other action, the Board:

• Approved implementation of new career and technical training programs, including a truck driving certificate program at TCAT Dickson’s Clarksville campus, a nursing aide certificate program at TCAT Jacksboro, and a new advanced manufacturing technician certificate programs at TCAT McMinnville’s main campus and its Coffee County campus.
• Approved revisions to the system’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget, and the report of the TBR Audit Committee’s Nov. 12 meeting.
• Approved Motlow State Community College’s request to name the college’s McMinnville campus building in honor of the late state Senator Jerry W. Cooper.
• Approved two new board policies and revisions to five existing policies.
• Approved resolutions of appreciation for former Board Members Mark Gill and MaryLou Apple, and reinstated president emerita status for Dr. Apple in honor of her tenure as president of Motlow State.
• Received and reviewed informational reports and updates on planning for the board’s next 10-year strategic plan; activities of the recently restructured Office of Student Success and Strategic Partnerships; the redesign of the Maxine Smith Leadership Series; the chancellor’s report of actions since the last quarterly board meeting; and the bi-annual Board Assessment report, required by the system’s accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.