The College

Welcome to Pellissippi State Community College!

We’re excited that you’ve chosen to attend our school. Your decision to enroll here may be one of the most important you’ll ever make, and we are dedicated to working with you to achieve both your educational and your life goals. Whether you’re preparing to enter the workforce for the first time, planning to transfer to a four-year institution or simply taking a course for personal growth, we are committed to helping you succeed academically and to providing opportunities for you to broaden your horizons. Our caring faculty and staff look forward to connecting with you.

A Brief History

Pellissippi State is a vital institution accustomed to transformation and growth. Since its founding in 1974 as State Technical Institute at Knoxville, the College has expanded the teaching of technology, the use of technology in instruction, and the transfer of technology to local business and industry in support of regional economic development.

Having enrolled only 45 students in its first year of operation, the institution experienced steady growth in the ‘70s, adding business technology programs to its original core of engineering technology programs. As community awareness grew, so did expectations. In 1988, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved the expansion of the technical institute’s mission to include college transfer programs.

This mission expansion was accompanied by a name change to Pellissippi State Technical Community College, and enrollment grew quickly. In 2009, the Legislature voted to shorten the name to Pellissippi State Community College.

The College continues to support and develop career-path associate degrees, associate degrees for transfer, certificates and continuing education opportunities for the citizens of Knox, Blount and surrounding counties. Pellissippi State offers credit courses to high school students as well. In partnership with the community, the College sustains the effort toward an ever-improving quality of life for residents of East Tennessee.

In fall 2018, 10,894 students were enrolled at Pellissippi State, as well as thousands of non-credit students.

Mission

Pellissippi State Community College: a transformative environment fostering the academic, societal, economic and cultural enrichment of the individual and the community.

Features of the Mission

To fulfill its mission, Pellissippi State offers students the opportunity to earn the following credentials:

• Associate degrees and certificates that lead to employment in a variety of career fields
• Associate degrees, courses, programs, pathways and partnerships that prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate-level colleges and universities
• Industry-recognized certifications that increase the skills of the local workforce, support the development of existing and new employers and foster economic growth 

Our mission is guided by our commitment to the following values:

• Academic Integrity
• Accessibility
• Affordability
• Community and civic engagement
• Diversity
• Sustainability

In support of these values, we offer the following programs and services:

• Academic Support Services
• Arts and Cultural Events
• Early College Initiatives
• Non-credit Classes
• Service-Learning
• Student Support Services
• Study Abroad
• Sustainable Campus Initiative
• Technology-enhanced Course Delivery
• Veterans’ Support and Programming
• Workforce Development

To sustain and enhance these offerings, Pellissippi State develops and maintains comprehensive fiscal and other administrative services and a physical environment conducive to learning. In line with its heritage as a technical institute, the College integrates state-of-the-art technology into teaching and learning, educational support and administration.

Located in Tennessee’s third-largest metropolitan area, Pellissippi State comprehensively serves the greater Knox and Blount County area and extends its engineering and media technology offerings to Anderson, Loudon, Roane, Cumberland, Campbell, Fentress, Scott and Morgan counties. A member of the College System of Tennessee, governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the College develops and maintains student transfer agreements with the state’s locally governed institutions, the University of Tennessee and private colleges and universities in the region. In all programs and services, Pellissippi State continually emphasizes the value of diversity among students, personnel, and other constituencies. Services are provided without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran, genetic information, or any other category protected by federal or state civil rights law.

Campuses and Maps

Pellissippi State offers programs, courses and services at five primary locations. Below is a directional map to the Hardin Valley Campus, Division Street Campus, Magnolia Avenue Campus, Blount County Campus and Strawberry Plains Campus. For additional maps, including parking maps, visit the College website. 

Important Contacts

The area code for all locations is 865.

Whom to Contact if You …