A Good Fit. A Great Future. That’s how Nashville State Community College defines itself—serving diverse students from Nashville’s urban core to rural counties, each bringing unique backgrounds and experiences.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to how Nashville State serves its students and communities. In fact, with Vision 2030 – its strategic plan – as its guide, the college has been transforming its nature.
As Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, president of Nashville State, sees it “We’re seeing more success as we align pathways and programs with specific employer needs — that’s the future of education.
”On the back of increased enrollment and growth, reflecting its efforts in student retention, Nashville State has developed direct supports that the college knows students need, and has introduced shortened, more focused offerings for learners who are juggling school and outside life. As a result, students have achieved higher course completion rates, improved graduation rates, and increased job placement in their chosen fields. Nashville State has helped students use college as a tool to grow and live instead of being another task during a busy workday.
Nashville State offers technical certificates and associate degrees in its School of Arts & Humanities, School of Business and Professional Studies, School of Health Sciences, and School of STEM. The transfer programs are a solid bridge for students to start and earn a four-year degree.
Workforce shortages have heightened interest in skills-based, accelerated training. Many employers now place a higher value on skills. As a result, the college is experiencing tremendous success as it aligns its training and education with the specific needs of employers.
To streamline processes and ensure collaboration between the credit (technical certificate and degree-seekers) and non-credit components, the college’s Center for Workforce Development & Continuing Education has been integrated into the Office of Academic Affairs.
Healthcare continues to yield strong growth and is constantly recruiting new talent, particularly in entry-level roles such as medical assistants or patient care technicians, jobs that require a credential but not a college degree that provide a solid first step into more advanced healthcare careers. Nashville State has highly successful outcome-based partnerships with Tennessee Oncology and Vanderbilt University Medical Center to meet their direct needs.
Information technology firms often seek employees who, in addition to possessing general knowledge, have familiarity with specific programming languages. In response to growing demand, the college will soon offer a course in Artificial Intelligence. Nashville State teaches foundational skills so students are familiar and can adapt. There are two highly successful partnerships with locally based national powerhouses. There are federally registered IT apprenticeships with CAT Financial and our Learn and Earn program with Tractor Supply Company. Students earn college credit while being embedded in the company, earning a salary, and contributing to the team.
The college continues expanding partnerships with four-year public and private institutions. While the Tennessee Transfer Pathways solidify transfer pathways, within the past year, Nashville State has strengthened existing ties, while creating new ones such as with the University of Tennessee at Martin, where students complete general education at the college, then transition to Martin for a business degree in agriculture.
Another recent development was with Middle Tennessee State University in aerospace and cyber security.
Reaching students as early as possible to focus them on career paths that they express interest in has been a centerpiece of Nashville State’s plans to be a vital player in the local economy and to ensure our communities are healthy and safe places to live and play.
The Better Together initiative, launched with Metro Nashville Public Schools in 2020, has yielded outstanding outcomes. The Early College High School on the college’s White Bridge campus was named a National Blue Ribbon School for academic excellence. The Early College program at Whites Creek High School, with the support of the PNC Foundation, saw more than 20 students graduate from its first cohort with both a high school diploma and a college degree. New Early College programs also exist at Cane Ridge, Glencliff, McGavock, Pearl-Cohn, and Maplewood high schools. These programs are helping students accelerate into college and careers.
As Nashville State continues to evolve with intention and innovation, it remains a cornerstone of opportunity and progress for Middle Tennessee. By aligning education with industry needs, expanding strategic partnerships, and meeting students where they are, the college is not just preparing individuals for jobs—it’s helping them build meaningful futures. With Vision 2030 as its guide, Nashville State is proving that when education is responsive, inclusive, and purpose-driven, both students and communities thrive.
