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Southwest’s early history began in 1957 as part of a bigger plan to establish a statewide community college system after the Pierce-Albright Report on Higher Education in Tennessee was made to the Tennessee Legislative Council. This report reflected the need for additional higher education opportunities to be provided for the average Tennessean. 

In 1963, the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated $200,000 for use over a two-year period to implement the Pierce-Albright Report. The State Board of Education, under the direction of Commissioner J. Howard Warf, developed plans for the establishment of a group of community colleges to serve these areas without access to higher education. 

The goal was to have one of these colleges within a 30-40 mile commuting distance of every Tennessean. Admission to these colleges was not to be restrictive to recent high school graduates but was to be an "open door" opportunity with colleges serving a whole community from ages 18 to 80. In 1965 Tennessee General Assembly authorized the establishment of 10 colleges, one to be located in each of the state's three Grand Divisions.

In 1972, the State University and Community College System of Tennessee, now the Tennessee Board of Regents, was established. This system includes state universities, community colleges, and technical institutes upgraded to community college status, making it the sixth-largest higher education system in the nation. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission coordinates the Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee System.

From the start, the newly formed Southwest was a beacon of opportunity in Memphis. The college quickly became the largest community college in Tennessee and the only one in Memphis, offering programs designed to meet the region's educational and workforce needs.

Dr. Nathan Essex, the founding president, faced the challenge of merging two institutions with different cultures and educational missions. Under his leadership, Southwest grew, expanded, and became an integral part of the Memphis community. The college’s footprint expanded as it continued to provide accessible education to students across the region, helping to create pathways to success in fields ranging from healthcare to technology and business. Southwest has been the dominant supplier for a technical workforce in the Mid-South since 2000. 

As the years passed, the college opened several campuses and centers throughout the city and in West Tennessee, including the Macon Cove Campus and Union Avenue campuses, Millington, Whitehaven, Elbert T. Gill and Maxine A. Smith Centers, and Sommerville Site at U.T. Martin. 

In 2015, Tracy D. Hall became the college’s president. President Hall focused on student success and reducing the achievement gaps, particularly for marginalized students while preparing the institution for the changing demands of the workforce. 

The Complete College Tennessee Act (CCTA) of 2010, which reshaped higher education funding in the state, brought additional pressures and opportunities. The act’s alignment with the Drive to 55 initiative, which aimed to increase the number of Tennesseans with a post-secondary degree or certification, gave SWTCC a clear directive to improve graduation rates and prepare students for careers in high-demand sectors like healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.

In 2016, Southwest joined the Achieving the Dream network and launched the Big, Audacious Goal to Redesign, Reinvent, and Reset the Student Experience. This work led to seamless process improvements for credit students from recruitment to completion, resulting in early wins such as increased enrollment, retention and graduation rates, earning the College the coveted Bellwether Award for Planning, Finance, and Governance.

The college was moving in a positive direction, poised to achieve near-record enrollment…and then came a global pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, presented unprecedented challenges for SWTCC, as it did for educational institutions worldwide. Classes quickly transitioned to online formats, and the college had to rapidly adapt to new methods of instruction and student support. Enrollment numbers dropped as students faced financial uncertainty, health concerns, and a rapidly changing job market. 

COVID changed many things. The way people interacted. The way people learned. The way people worked. The skills people needed to work. It also increased pressure from the business community to produce a trained workforce in an expedited time frame. While the 2016 ATD work had gained impressive results, it was time for Southwest to, once again, redesign, reinvent, and reset itself in order to face the new normal created by the devastating effects of the global pandemic.

Despite these challenges, SWTCC remained committed to its students. The college offered increased support through virtual learning platforms, counseling services, and financial aid assistance. Faculty and staff worked tirelessly to ensure that students could continue their education during an uncertain and difficult time. While the pandemic forced many students to delay or abandon their educational goals,

SWTCC's flexibility and dedication helped many continue their studies remotely, ensuring they could still progress toward graduation in the midst of a global crisis.

Winning the prestigious 2021 Bellwether Award was a significant milestone for Southwest, recognizing its innovative approach to transforming the student experience. The award, given in the Planning, Governance, and Finance category, highlighted the college's "Redesign, Reinvent, and Reset" initiative, which focused on systemic changes to improve student success. 

This recognition affirmed the college's commitment to equity and upward social mobility, particularly for students in an urban environment. The impact of this award led to a strategic shift in the college's structure and philosophy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration among faculty and staff. This transformation has positioned Southwest as a leader in community college education, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

SWTCC continued to look forward, focusing on creating new opportunities for students and the broader Memphis community. In 2023, the college introduced the Workforce Solutions Center, a new initiative aimed at addressing the region's growing workforce needs. The center was designed to offer tailored workforce training programs, partnering with local businesses and industries to ensure that students could gain the skills necessary for in-demand jobs. 

The Workforce Solutions Center represents the College’s ongoing commitment to bridging the skills gap in Memphis, particularly in areas like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. By working directly with employers, the college ensures that its programs are aligned with the needs of the local economy, providing students with the practical skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.

Southwest introduced stackable certificates and degrees to enhance student performance and graduation retention. These stackable credentials allow students to earn industry-recognized certifications early in their academic journey, providing immediate employment opportunities while they continue working towards their associate degrees. This approach helps students stay motivated by achieving incremental goals and makes education more accessible and flexible. For Mid-South employers, this means a more skilled workforce, better job placement rates, and economic growth as local industries benefit from a steady stream of qualified professionals.

Southwest Tennessee Community College boasts a vibrant sports program, known for its competitive teams and significant contributions to Tennessee's sports history. The college's teams, known as the Saluqis, participate in various sports, including basketball, baseball, and soccer. The sports legacy began with Shelby State Community College, which produced numerous standout athletes and coaches in the 1970s and 1980s. Notably, Coach Verties Sails, a legendary figure in the college’s athletic history, whom the Verties Sails Gymnasium is dedicated for and Andrea Martre, a standout women's basketball player in the 1980s, who led the Lady Saluqis to a 27-5 record and a national tournament appearance in 1986-87. Her record of 184 career steals still stands. 

The Saluqi Hall of Fame honors exceptional athletes and coaches from both Shelby State and Southwest Tennessee Community College, highlighting their achievements and contributions. This rich history not only underscores the college's athletic excellence but also fosters community spirit and pride in the Mid-South region.

Southwest remains a cornerstone of higher education in Memphis. The college has always been more than just a place of learning; it is a lifeline for individuals seeking to build better futures for themselves and their families. As Southwest looks to the future, it remains focused on its mission of empowering students and contributing to the economic and social development of the region. The college continues to adapt and evolve, meeting the needs of its students and the community it serves.

Southwest Timeline 

• 1969 –   State Technical Institute founded
• 1970 –   Shelby State Community College founded
• 2000 – Merger of State Technical Institute at Memphis and Shelby State to become Southwest Tennessee Community College
• 2000 – Bert Bornblum Library dedicated in honor of Bornblum, a philanthropist who was passionate about learning and founded the Bornblum Foundation, which supports various education initiatives
• 2002 – Verties Sails Gymnasium dedicated in honor of Coach Verties Sails, a legendary figure in the college’s athletic history
• 2010 –  The Maxine A. Smith Center opened in honor of Smith, a prominent civil rights and education leader
• 2014 --  The Dr. Nathan Essex Nursing, Natural Sciences and Biotechnology Building, located at the Union Avenue Campus, named in  honor of Dr. Nathan Essex, Southwest’s first president
• 2015 –  Dr. Tracy D. Hall becomes Southwest's second president 
• 2016 –  Achieving the Dream Initiative
• 2019 –  U.T. Martin at Somerville location opens
• 2020 – COVID-19 Pandemic
• 2021 –  Bellwether winner
• 2023 – Establishment of Southwest Workforce Solutions Center
• 2024 – New Saluqi Sports logo
• 2025 – 25th Anniversary!