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Southwest and TCAT-Memphis tout growth and expansion at 2020 Legislative Luncheon

Pictured at the 2020 Legislative Luncheon are: State Rep. Dwayne Thompson, State Representative G.A. Hardaway Sr., TCAT-Memphis President Roland Rayner, Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall, and State Representatives Jesse Chism and Joe Towns.

Pictured at the 2020 Legislative Luncheon are: State Rep. Dwayne Thompson, State Representative G.A. Hardaway Sr., TCAT-Memphis President Roland Rayner, Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall, and State Representatives Jesse Chism and Joe Towns.

Southwest Tennessee Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Memphis (TCAT-Memphis) partnered for the second time to co-host the annual Legislative Luncheon, effectively establishing the joint luncheon as a yearly tradition. The purpose of the event is to provide Southwest and TCAT-Memphis the opportunity to talk to elected officials and supporters about their respective institutions’ progress and outline their future plans and funding needs. Several representatives from the Shelby County delegation and the Greater Memphis Chamber were among the special guests, including Tennessee Board of Regents Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations Krysten Velloff.

“I want to thank all our elected officials, special guests, friends, supporters and TCAT and Southwest staff for being here today,” said Southwest President Dr. Tracy D. Hall. “It’s very important that we have everyone here working together if we want to help move Memphis forward.”

Dr. Hall reminded attendees that as a tuition-free, open-access college, Southwest accepts students from all socio-economic levels and offers short-term credentials, such as Career-in-a-Year, along with long-term degree programs.  “Community colleges are the key to providing education and workforce development programs that can take students out of poverty. We work with everyone—there is no excuse for someone not to get educated and employed here.”

Associate Vice President for Workforce, Economic Development and Continuing Education Anita Brackin echoed Dr. Hall’s statement that Southwest is a leader in putting people to work. “Workforce is what we do, through credit or non-credit,” Brackin said. “We upskill students and connect them to employer’s needs.”

Brackin introduced Southwest Works, the college’s new work readiness program that was formerly called the industrial readiness program. “We rebranded the program and took out the word “industrial” so that we can include healthcare, information technology and all the other areas we offer.”  In addition to targeting industry needs, the program now incorporates core essential skills and industry approved curriculums.  Since receiving more than $10 million in local, state and federal funding in 2014, Southwest Works has piloted several programs and trained individuals in fields ranging from medical device finishing to coding to medical administration. A new short-term hospitality certification program is underway with EDGE and plans are being made to work with the Boy Scouts of America to offer Southwest merit badges in machining, welding, accounting and other disciplines.

Anita Brackin introduces legislative luncheon attendees to Southwest Works, Southwest’s new work readiness program.

Anita Brackin introduces legislative luncheon attendees to Southwest Works, Southwest’s new work readiness program.

Following Brackin’s presentation, Funeral Service Education Program Director Ron Johnson gave a recap of his program since its inception.  “We had a very successful enrollment,” said Johnson. “We started classes in January 2019 and we now have our first cohort of 46 students who are in their third semester of coursework toward an associate degree,” Johnson said. The program’s self-study for accreditation was approved in February 2019 – the first program to submit a self-study without request for additional information.  One full-time faculty and two adjunct instructors also have been hired.  The program received $900,000 in funding from Technology Access Fees and the college to help renovate the Whitehaven Center to include a fully functional embalming room, casket visitation room and restorative art room.

TCAT-Memphis also presented their workforce development update.  Coordinator of Workforce Development & Campus Operations Brad Gentry mentioned their college’s growth in logistics, truck driving and industrial maintenance and a new prison program through Hope Works.  “Our largest grant is the America’s Promise grant that focuses on medical device finishing and advanced manufacturing, especially in the areas of machining and packaging,” Gentry added.

TCAT-Memphis President Roland Rayner said they are bursting at the seams. “We had our largest enrollment ever in fall—1,400 adults and 900 high school students.” Rayner said the aviation program is by far the most popular program with 240 students currently enrolled and a job placement rate that boasts more than 3,500 graduates. TACT- Memphis is also working with FedEx to donate an aircraft to train more students.

Rayner’s big news was the expansion of TCAT’s footprint. He unveiled a new $50,000 square foot facility in Bartlett that will house automotive and heavy equipment programs, such as heating and air conditioning, Mechatronics, welding, technology and more, to be completed by July 2020. The college’s downtown campus also will expand with an additional 20,000 square-foot facility.

Host Sherman Greer, Southwest’s Executive Director of Governmental Relations, closed the luncheon with a call to action for Tennessee legislators to funnel more grant dollars into the community. “We thank you for your continued support and advocacy. Today’s presentation clearly demonstrates the impact our institutions are making on the local economy and in moving Memphis forward. We are putting people to work.”