The Tennessee Board of Regents announced a tuition hike for the upcoming academic year, alongside approving criteria for finding a new president for Walters State Community College and greenlighting a novel academic program at Roane State Community College. The adjustments were confirmed during a specially convened meeting, as reported by TBR's official release.
Starting this fall, students should expect an average uptick of 3.25 percent in combined tuition and mandatory fees at Community Colleges and a 3.26 percent increase at the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs). This decision comes amidst various operating cost increases, partially spurred by inflation and inclusive of a proposed 2.6 percent salary jump for state employees. Despite the inevitable groans that the announcement might provoke, the increase falls well below the 6.5 percent cap set by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Most students will likely feel a softer blow, thanks to the availability of tuition-free programs such as Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect.
Figures provided by the regents put the increase at $47 per trimester at the TCATs and roughly $81.50 per semester at Community Colleges for those enrolled in an average full-time course load. With the next academic season rolling in, these changes are poised to come into effect, adjusting the cost on a proportional basis for those taking fewer credits.
Meanwhile, Walters State Community College is on the hunt for a new leader to take the helm from outgoing President Tony Miksa. He is slated to depart on June 30 for the presidency role at Johnson County Community College in Kansas. As discussed by TBR, the search for Miksa's successor will be overseen by a committee chaired by Regent Miles Burdine, backed by Regents Cayden Keltgen, Ross Roberts, and Danni Varlan. Board Vice Chair Emily J. Reynolds expressed her gratitude to Dr. Miksa, noting, “We thank Dr. Miksa for his nine years of service as president and wish him well, and thank him also for completing the academic year with us.”
The educational offerings in Tennessee are also set to expand with the approval of a novel Speech Language Pathology Assistant program slated to begin at Roane State Community College. This Associate of Applied Science degree program is the first of its kind in the state, poised to train professionals for both clinical and educational settings. Roane State is expected to release further details as the program's kick-off draws closer, aiming to contribute a skilled workforce in a field that clearly shows demand.
