Press Releases

The Tennessee Seamless Alignment and Integrated Learning Support (SAILS) program at TBR – The College System of Tennessee has been recognized by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences as a Promising Practice. The recognition is part of the Academy's national initiative, "Thriving After High School: Community, School, Service, and Work."

The designation places SAILS among a select group of programs nationwide. These programs show innovative ways to help learners move from high school to college, careers, service and civic life.

TBR – The College System of Tennessee has selected 22 faculty members from across the state as the inaugural AI Fellows Class of 2026-27. The AI Fellows Program is an initiative of the TBR AI Learning Collaborative. It builds on the system's ongoing work in AI literacy, responsible implementation, professional learning and workforce readiness. Fellows will turn the TBR Student AI Literacy Competency Framework into practical, discipline-specific classroom experiences. Their focus goes beyond technical skills.

A consortium of Tennessee’s 13 community colleges has been awarded a $7.6 million U.S. Department of Labor grant for workforce development activities, including the creation of short-term career certificate programs eligible for new Workforce Pell student scholarships.

The proposed Workforce Pell-eligible programs will be developed within five high-priority industry sectors identified by the state, including Advanced Manufacturing, Logistics and Distribution, Information Technology including Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare, and Sustainable and Nuclear Energy.

As the next step in the search for the next president of Pellissippi State Community College, a public forum providing the campus community and the public an opportunity to share views on the search process will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

The Tennessee Board of Regents and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Morristown leadership gathered to honor Phil and Martha Bachman during a naming ceremony at the new TCAT at Greene County campus.

The new $34 million building, located at the former Greene Valley Developmental Center site, is now known as the Phil and Martha Bachman Center, honoring the couple for their steadfast support of technical training and education, service, and their significant investment in Greene County and the surrounding northeast Tennessee region. 

TCAT Shelbyville's Machine Tool Technology program was one of the first programs created when the school first opened its doors in 1964. This program now calls a state-of-the-art lab on the college's new campus home.

As part of a recent celebration of becoming the first technical college to host a TBR Board Meeting, President Jimmy Wright and his staff wanted to make last week's experience on the brand-new campus memorable for Chancellor Flora W. Tydings and Vice Chair Emily Reynolds.

The College System of Tennessee's fabulous fall celebrations continued over the last six weeks with ribbon cuttings to mark the completion of four new projects. 

On Aug. 29, the College System joined local, state and federal leaders in Trousdale County to cut the ribbon on the new facility at TCAT Hartsville. This $38.8 million investment enhances opportunities for students to receive training needed for in-demand careers in cosmetology, dental assisting and building construction, among others.

Recently, TBR's regents visited with Gov. Bill Lee to recognize and thank the governor for his incredible impact on the College System, as well as his unwavering commitment to workforce development. Our 50th governor's generational investment of more than $1.5 billion during his time in office has not only transformed our colleges, but it has also improved countless lives, inspiring students across Tennessee to achieve their dreams.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced today (Sept. 24, 2026) that the 2027–28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open for all Tennessee students. Students and their families can begin applying at www.fafsa.gov.

Tennessee’s community colleges awarded 16,240 associate degrees and technical certificates to graduates in the 2025-26 academic year, the highest number ever conferred – a 9 percent increase over the previous year and 19 percent growth from a decade ago.