Southwest Tennessee Community College Recognized by Achieving the Dream as a 2026 Leader College of Distinction

For more information, contact Diana Fedinec, Southwest Tennessee Community College Director of Public Relations and Media, at 901-333-4247 or dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu.

[Memphis, Tenn.]  — Southwest Tennessee Community College announced today that it has been designated a 2026 Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility.

“I’m extremely proud to congratulate President Hall and the Southwest faculty and staff for earning this prestigious designation by Achieving the Dream!  It means the college has demonstrated sustained performance in improving access and success for all students. The award is a nationally recognized symbol of the work the Southwest family has accomplished to make the college the best option for high-quality, accessible academic, career and technical education in the Memphis area,” said Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora Tydings.

“I am deeply honored that our college has earned the Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction designation,” said Dr. Tracy D. Hall, president of Southwest Tennessee Community College. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff who are committed to strengthening student success. This distinction further affirms the progress we are making to improve the outcomes for all students and close equity gaps.”

ATD created the Leader College of Distinction designation in 2018 to recognize institutions that have demonstrated sustained excellence in advancing student success outcomes over time. Leader Colleges of Distinction must demonstrate sustained and expanding success in early momentum metrics, such as course success rates and student retention, as well as in milestone momentum outcomes, such as rates of completion; a strong culture of data-informed continuous improvement; and evidence that effective practices are institutionalized. These colleges advance student success strategies that respond to their local context with emphasis on students who are missing or left behind.

Southwest has been part of the ATD Network since 2016 and has held Leader College status since 2019.

“The 2026 Leader Colleges of Distinction demonstrate sustained commitment and measurable progress in advancing student success,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “By using data to guide decisions and continuously strengthen their practices, these institutions are producing real gains in student outcomes, strengthening their practices, and deepening their impact in the communities they serve. Their leadership sets a powerful example for colleges across the ATD Network, reflecting the focus, discipline, and follow-through required to achieve lasting institutional change.”

Southwest earned this recognition because of its remarkable progress in supporting students and strengthening the pathways that lead to academic achievement, career readiness, and long‑term economic mobility. These efforts have contributed to steady gains in credit accumulation and improved stability in persistence rates.

Equally important has been the momentum generated through the Reimagining Community College initiative, which enables students to earn meaningful, workforce‑aligned credentials early in their academic journey. By embedding short‑term, stackable certificates into degree pathways and aligning programs with high‑demand fields, the college is expanding opportunities for students to gain confidence, build momentum, and connect to real employment more quickly. This approach has significantly boosted embedded certificate completion, doubled dual‑enrollment participation, and expanded opportunities in advanced manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and mechatronics through major partnerships with local and regional companies. The efforts have boosted job placement outcomes and strengthened the talent pipeline across the Memphis region, demonstrating Southwest’s deep commitment to economic mobility and regional prosperity.

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About Achieving the Dream

Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on our expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, we provide institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. We call this Whole College Transformation. Our vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable and economically vibrant communities. We know that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers. Follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About Southwest Tennessee Community College

Southwest Tennessee Community College is a comprehensive, multicultural, public, open-access college with four locations in Shelby County.  Southwest awards associate degrees and certifications in more than 140 programs of study to raise educational levels, enhance economic development and enrich quality of life for students and the community at large. Southwest is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, visit www.southwest.tn.edu. Follow Southwest on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.