Tennessee sets aside budget money for Nashville State Community College expansion/renovation

The State of Tennessee has set aside more than $34 million for a renovation and expansion project of Nashville State Community College’s Clarksville campus.

The funds were awarded as part of the state’s 2022-23 budget with the stipulation that Nashville State Community College must match some of the funds. The total amount of money set aside by the state for this project is $34,080,000.

The Associate Vice President of Nashville State, Tom Hayden, talked to the Leaf-Chronicle, saying that the school would provide $1.42 million for the expansion and renovation.

Nashville State President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson was quoted in the Leaf-Chronicle about the support the school is getting from the government: “With the Tennessee General Assembly funding the governor’s request, we are well on the way to making the renovation and expansion a reality. The College is grateful to our legislators and local champions for seeing the value of what this expansion will mean to Clarksville-Montgomery County and surrounding communities.”

Nashville State Community College opened in 2012 with only 257 students, and over the next five years grew to 900 students, which was more than the school had capacity for, so a modular structure containing four classrooms was installed to fit all of the students. The planned expansion will allow for 800 more students to be able to enroll.

Kathleen Akers, Campus Director at the Clarksville campus, was quoted in a press release about the opportunities provided by Nashville State, saying, “At Nashville State, you can start here and go anywhere, meaning a degree or certification will be a gateway to an exciting career or, after graduation, you can transfer to a four-year institution to continue your education. Between TN Promise, TN Reconnect, the numerous scholarships offered, and supports provided such as laptop, tutoring, and food and transportation assistance, Nashville State is here to support students from admissions to graduation and beyond.”

The expansion will not just include more space, but more academic avenues for students, as Nashville State plans to add associate degrees in Nursing, Secondary Education, Computer Programming, and Industrial Process Control.

Other additions to Nashville State as part of the expansion will be support systems such as a dedicated lounge for students who are veterans, a welcome center to better facilitate admissions and enrollment, a campus food pantry, a new bookstore, a testing space for the certification programs offered by the school, an ADA testing center, and designated study and tutoring rooms.

More information about the expansion can be found on the school’s website.