Program Description - Pellissippi State Community College

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, and
enrollment grew quickly.
Today, close to 8,000 credit students, as well as more than 14,500
non-credit students, attend Pellissippi State.
The College continues to support and develop career/technical associate’s
degrees and certificate programs, university parallel associate’s
degree programs, and continuing education opportunities for the citizens
of Knox, Blount, and surrounding counties. In partnership with the community,
the College sustains the effort toward an ever-improving quality
of life for residents of East Tennessee.
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