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 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 Dual Enrollment 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 2023, 8,710 credit students were enrolled at Pellissippi State, along with thousands of noncredit students.

Mission Statement

Institutional Mission

Pellissippi State Community College provides a transformative environment fostering the academic, social, economic and cultural enrichment of the individual and the community. We are committed to success in workforce training and certificate and degree programs.

Our Values

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

Accountability: We are responsible for our actions and to each other. We conduct ourselves for the betterment of our students, the College and the community.

Community and Civic Engagement: We support and improve our community by educating and enriching its citizens, partnering with businesses and non-profit agencies, and providing service opportunities for our faculty, staff and students.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We show genuine respect for each other’s differences and provide an open, accessible and equitable environment for all.

Excellence: We pursue excellence and continuously look for better ways of doing all that we do. 

Integrity: We demonstrate honesty, transparency and responsibility in our actions and relationships.

Relationships: We promote strong connections based upon a foundation of trust among students, faculty, staff and the community we serve.

To sustain and enhance these offerings, Pellissippi State develops and maintains comprehensive fiscal and other administrative services and an 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. A member of TBR - The College System of Tennessee, governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents, the College develops and maintains student transfer agreements with Tennessee public universities, 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, pregnancy, disability, age (40+), 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 four primary locations. Below is a directional map to the Hardin Valley Campus, Magnolia Avenue Campus, Blount County Campus and Strawberry Plains Campus. For additional maps, including parking maps, visit the College website. 

Important Contacts

Whom to Contact if You …