Southwest Hosts Largest New Student Orientation as 2025 Fall Semester Draws Near

Southwest Tennessee Community College is the school of choice for hundreds of individuals who recently attended new student orientation. Over 400 students toured the Macon Cove campus to finalize registration and enroll for fall classes. The Aug. 6 event welcomed new students, giving them the opportunity to select courses, get assistance with financial aid, and gain access to other key college resources. This included sessions designed to simplify the transition to college life. 

“It was great to see so many new students and parents energize our campus, especially as we prepare for the start of the fall semester,” said Dr. Jose de Silva, vice president of strategic enrollment for Southwest.

He added that the college has seen a 90% registration rate for students who have attended the orientation sessions. 

“Out of 297 students registered to attend this new student orientation, 290 showed up. I am thrilled to see so many students excited about starting their educational journey at Southwest.”

The new students included recent high school graduates, transfer students, adult learners, and professionals looking to upskill. Kieva Newsome said she returned to the classroom after years in a medical career.

“I’m a mom, a grandmother, and I thought it was about time I did something for me,” said Newsome, who is enrolled in the division of health and natural sciences. She cited in-person classes and Tennessee Reconnect — a state initiative that covers tuition for eligible adults — as key benefits.

“I really like the opportunity for in-person learning. As an older learner, I need that. Southwest is allowing me to earn a degree and work at the same time, plus I don’t have to worry about the cost of tuition as I qualified for Tennessee Reconnect,” Newsome said.

Tennessee Reconnect is an initiative to help more adults return to higher education to gain new skills, advance in the workplace, and fulfill lifelong dreams of completing a degree or credential. It allows every Tennessean to have the opportunity to enter or re-enter public higher education with no tuition expenses.

Ashley Evans transferred to Southwest after studying online with an out-of-state college. She said the decision to make the transition from online to in-person came down to the need to explore a field she found more interesting in Allied Health.

“I want to be a lab tech. That means I need to be in class, hands on,” Evans said. She added that the college’s flexible scheduling and choice of campus locations help her balance work, parenting, and coursework. “I like that Southwest is flexible. I work and have kids. Southwest allows me to pick which campus I can attend, and if I need to do classes online, I can.”

While many of Southwest students have chosen online classes, recent local high school graduates like Olivia Hansen and Darien Patton are taking advantage of the college’s proximity to home. Hansen graduated from Collierville High School and looked at other colleges before choosing Southwest. “I really wanted to stay close to family and friends, while getting the college experience and education I need,” she said. “Southwest allows me to do that.”

Cordova High School graduate Darien Patton followed in the footsteps of both parents, who are Southwest alumni. “I want to be a psychiatrist. Starting here to get my associate degree gives me a foundation to build from,” he said, noting small classes, free tutoring, and financial assistance.

Students still have an opportunity to enroll before fall classes begin on Aug. 25 at Saluqi Weekends – a one-stop shop where students can register for classes, receive financial aid assistance, and meet with advisors all in one place. The remaining dates for Saluqi Weekends are: Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Whitehaven and Maxine A. Smith Centers; Aug.  16 at the Macon Cove and Union Avenue campuses from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Macon Cove Campus. For more information, contact advising@southwest.tn.edu.