What is a Tennessee College of Applied Technology?

A Tennessee College of Applied Technology is an institution which serves people in a specific geographical area within the state of Tennessee consisting of two or more counties that offers technical/occupational education. Tennessee has 24 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. 23 of them (all except Chattanooga) are freestanding institutions. Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology are the state's premier providers of workforce development in the state of Tennessee. The 24 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and their employees provide state-of-the-art technical training for workers to obtain the technical skills and professional training necessary for advancement in today's competitive job market. Through their workforce development mission, the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology help businesses and industries satisfy their need for a well-trained, skilled workforce. Under the governance of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology offer certificate and diploma programs in more than 50 distinct occupational fields as well as customized training for business and industry.

Statewide Mission

The Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology serve as the premier suppliers of workforce development throughout the State of Tennessee. The Colleges fulfill their mission by:

• Providing competency-based training through superior quality, traditional and distance learning instruction methods that qualify completers for employment and job advancement;
• Contributing to the economic and community development of the communities served by training and retraining employed workers;
• Ensuring that programs and services are economical and accessible to all residents of Tennessee; and
• Building relationships of trust with community, business, and industry leaders to supply highly skilled workers in areas of need.

TCAT Purpose

The purpose of Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology curricula is to provide instruction whereby individuals may be trained or retrained for employment, and to upgrade skills and knowledge of employed workers. Each program offered will assist the student in acquiring the skills, knowledge, understanding, and attitudes which contribute to proficiency and competency in his or her chosen field.

The Colleges fulfill this purpose by providing training through:

1. Full-Time Preparatory programs are designed to prepare persons for employment in specific or closely related occupations. The length of programs can vary depending upon the requirements of the occupation.
2. Part-Time Preparatory programs are designed to prepare persons for employment in specific or closely related occupations. Length of training ranges depending upon the entrance requirements of the occupation. Part-time is classified as any hours less than 30 per week.
3. Supplemental programs are designed to assist employed workers to improve or upgrade skills and increase technical knowledge necessary for present employment or to acquire new skills and knowledge for a higher level of employment. The content of the courses is determined by the specific needs of the members of the class. Time and frequency of meetings are arranged according to the convenience of the group for which the class is organized.
4. Special Industry programs are offered to business and industry upon their request. These classes can be conducted in the College or place of employment of the class members. Specialized and intensified courses to meet specific requirements of industry may be offered when the need arises.

The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system consists of 37 institutions. TBR's 13 Community Colleges and 24 Colleges of Applied Technology offer classes in almost all of Tennessee's 95 counties. The activities of the Tennessee Board of Regents System are coordinated with the Tennessee Higher Education System to achieve unity in the programs of higher education in Tennessee.

Tennessee Board of Regents Senior Staff & Board Members

Tennessee Board of Regents Senior Staff

Flora W. Tydings, Chancellor

Mike Batson, Chief Audit Executive

Russ Deaton, Executive Vice Chancellor for Policy and Strategy 

Alisha Fox, Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance

Brian Lapps, General Counsel

Heidi Leming, Vice Chancellor for Student Success

Rick Locker, Communications Director

Kimberly McCormick, Executive Vice Chancellor for External Affairs

Mariah Perry, Board Secretary

Jothany Reed, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Wendy Thompson, Vice Chancellor for Organizational Effectiveness

Tennessee Board of Regents Board Members

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is an accredited higher education institution. An annual report of the school's progress is made each year for continuing accreditation, and every six years, the accreditation must be substantiated by another self-study and team visit. Tennessee College of Applied Technology is accredited by:

Below are the programs that require additional programmatic accreditation or agency oversight.

For more information on the institution's governance, accreditation, or approvals, visit the Office of the President.

The State Area Vocational-Technical Schools were established as a statewide system by action of the 1963 Tennessee General Assembly in compliance with the Federal Vocational Act of 1963. The purpose of the schools was to better meet the occupational and training needs of citizens, employees, and businesses in the state. It was the intent of the legislation to locate and construct each school to serve residents within a fifty-mile radius.

On April 16, 1964, the bids were opened for the Athens State Area Vocational-Technical School. The school was number three of the original eighteen proposed Area Vo-Tech Schools. At the cost of $443,000, construction began in May 1964 and completion was set for January 1965.

The school opened in June 1965, with a total of 25 students enrolled in three programs--Automotive Mechanics, Air Conditioning, and Machine Shop. In September 1965, Drafting, Electronics, and Industrial Chemistry classes were added.

In 1969, one shop was added to the original facility. Another two-shop addition was completed in March 1975. Located on a 15-acre site along Highway 11 by-pass, the facility contained some 25,600 square feet of floor space on one level.

The Industrial Chemistry program was closed in 1967.

In 1989, the Auto Mechanics program received Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, and the program name was changed to Automotive Technology. In July 1992, the Office Occupations program name was changed to Business Systems Technology. The change was made in an effort to better reflect the changes being made in technology in that program.

In April 1993, a satellite program in Practical Nursing was begun at the Tellico Education Consortium in Vonore. In the fall of 1994, another satellite program in Practical Nursing was started in Copperhill.

In June 1997, the Drafting program name was changed to Drafting & CAD Technology.

In 1998, the school had nine full-time programs: Auto Body Repair, Automotive Technology, Business Systems Technology, Drafting & CAD Technology, Electronics, Industrial Maintenance, Machine Shop, Practical Nursing, and Welding.

The school has over 200 full-time students. Special industry classes are designed and developed to meet the needs of local industries and businesses.

Robert E. Barnett was hired as the school's first superintendent and served until his retirement in 1989. The title of superintendent was changed to President. Margaret Mahery served as President from 1990-2002 and Stewart Smith has served as President from 2002 until present.

The school services individuals from a broad geographical area comprised of McMinn, Monroe, Bradley, Meigs, and Polk counties. It is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents and is one of 45 institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents System, the sixth largest system of higher education in the nation. The Tennessee Board of Regents is the governing board for this system, which is comprised of six universities, thirteen two-year colleges, and twenty-six Colleges of Applied Technology. The TBR system enrolls more than 80 percent of all Tennessee students attending public institutions of higher education. The Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology is fully accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.

In 1994, the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated a $46 million bond issue for Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology for construction and renovation for nine (9) technology centers and for equipment upgrades for all 27 centers. Athens received $375,900 for equipment upgrades.

In 1995, the General Assembly appropriated $37 million for construction and renovation for eleven (11) centers and equipment upgrades for all 27 centers.

Athens received $2,591,000 for construction/renovation and $137,182 for equipment upgrades. This brought the total for construction/renovation and equipment updates to $3,174,082 for Athens. In 2007 the General Assembly appropriated $525,200 to the Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Athens for equipment upgrades.

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens became the first post-secondary institution in the State of Tennessee to have a school-wide membership in SkillsUSA. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens joined SkillsUSA in November 2004 and was presented with a charter on April 26, 2005.

July 2013. The state’s workforce training schools known as Tennessee Technology Centers  renamed Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology.

January 2014 Business Systems Technology was changed to Administrative Office Technology. Electro-Mechanical Program began September 2014.

Working with city, county, and state government AND industry and business leaders to conceive and develop CAMBI.

In January 2015, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens, in partnership with seven area high schools (McMinn Co. Polk Co., Meigs Co., and Bradley Co.), was awarded nearly 1 million dollars from Governor Haslam’s LEAP Grant to implement a Mechatronics program in the high schools. In August, the program launched with over 250 students enrolled in classes that teach the fundamentals of manufacturing and electromechanical technology, giving students the opportunity to earn dual credit from Cleveland State or dual enrollment with the TCAT Athens.

January 2016 opened an Instructional Service Center at Cleveland High School offering Electro-mechanical in the evening.

Starting in September 2018 additional rooms added to MMEI program and MTT program. The additional space added to MTT program is to accommodate adding tool and die to the curriculum.

Starting in May 2019 a new Practical Nursing Classroom was added in the open area outside between the Practical Nursing wing and Computer Electronics.

May 2019 the design phase of the McMinn Higher Education Center was started. 2020 McMinn Higher Education Center Groundbreaking.

This student catalog/handbook has been prepared to provide information about the programs and training opportunities provided by the Tennessee College of Applied Technology for the 2023-2024 academic year. It is designed to serve as a guide for currently enrolled students, parents, educators, employers, and others who are interested in seeking information and/or technology training for gainful employment or to update current skills and related information.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology provides the opportunity for students to increase their knowledge by providing various programs of instruction by well-qualified faculty. However, the acquisition of knowledge by any student is contingent upon the student's desire to learn and his/her application of appropriate study techniques to any course or program. All students are expected to fulfill his/her commitment to utilize the facilities provided and to make satisfactory progress in his/her preparation for employment. Also, each student will abide by Tennessee College of Applied Technology and Academic Program policies necessary to ensure all training achieves its intended purpose in an efficient and safe manner. Efforts are made to update equipment and course content to provide educational experiences necessary for an era of rapid technological change. The administrative and instructional staff is comprised of skilled and knowledgeable individuals who are competent in their occupational field, as well as proficient instructors. They participate in special in-service training such as state-directed workshops, field trips, and community and university courses to maintain and update their skill sets. Graduates of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology should not be expected to compete with currently employed professionals who have developed skills and on-the-job experience. Usually, the graduates are considered for "entry-level" employment in their respective occupations.

The course offerings and requirements of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology are continually under examination and review. The College reserves the right to make changes as required in course offerings, curricula, academic policies, and other rules and regulations affecting students and will become effective whenever determined necessary as part of that continuous review by the institution. This Student Handbook/Catalog presents the offering and requirements in effect at the time of publication but provides no guarantee that offerings will not be changed or rescinded. Reasonable notice will be given to students regarding any changes in the Student Handbook/Catalog. All updates and/or corrections will be posted in the online version of the Student Handbook/Catalog, which will supersede previous written copies. Changes will govern current, former, and prospective students. This Student Handbook/Catalog is not intended to state contractual terms and does not constitute a contract between the student and the institution.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is an AA/EEO institution/employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal or state law or regulation or by Tennessee Board of Regents policy with respect to employment, educational programs and activities sponsored by the College. Procedures for filing complaints of discrimination of any type are found through the links provided below and in the Office of Student Services. Further information can be found at the following links:

Sexual Discrimination/Harassment/Misconduct: https://policies.tbr.edu/policies/sexual-discriminationharassmentmisconduct 

Non-Discrimination Statement: https://policies.tbr.edu/system-office/system-office-non-discrimination-policy 

TCAT Policies and Guidelines: https://policies.tbr.edu/policies

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens complies with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq. ("Title IX"). Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities, including with respect to admission and employment. Prohibited forms of sex discrimination include sexual harassment; sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, stalking, dating or domestic violence; and discrimination against pregnant/parenting students. Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Athens also prohibits retaliation because an individual filed a complaint of sex discrimination or participated in an investigation related to sex discrimination.

Information about the College's policies and procedures that prohibit sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, may be found in the links provided at the top of this sub-section, in the Student and Employee Handbooks, from the Student Services Office, on the TBR website at https://www.tbr.edu and on the TCAT Athens website at https://tcatathens.edu/.

Inquiries or complaints concerning Title IX and/or the Title IX regulations may be referred to the College's Title IX coordinator 24/7 in person, by phone, and/or email at:

Kim Davis, Vice President
Title IX Coordinator
Kim.davis@tcatathens.edu 
​(423)744-2814

TCAT Athens complies with Title IX as the law applies to pregnant/parenting students and is committed to their success. Students may:

• Continue to participate in classes and extracurricular activities even though pregnant and/or 
• Request reasonable accommodations.

TCAT Athens will work with pregnant students to provide options for continuing in a program of study through excused absences or medical leave. Absences due to pregnancy or childbirth are excused absences when medically necessary. For detailed information or assistance see the TCAT Athens Title IX Coordinator or Student Services Coordinator.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens complies with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000d et seq. ("Title VI"). Title VI is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. As a recipient of federal funding (e.g., Title IV financial aid for students), the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens is required to comply with the non-discrimination provisions of Title VI in its educational and federal grant-funded programs. Title VI is enforced by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education. The Title VI regulations define the forms of discrimination covered by statute, including, but not limited to; racial harassment, school segregation, denial of language services to students of non-U.S. nationality who are limited in English language proficiency, and retaliation for filing an OCR complaint or for advocacy for a right protected by Title VI.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens will respond promptly and effectively once informed about an allegation of race, color, or national origin-based discrimination or harassment and will take immediate action to eliminate any harassment or discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens will promptly investigate to determine what occurred and then take appropriate steps to resolve the situation. Tennessee College of Applied Technology Athens procedures for filing complaints of race, color, or national origin discrimination are available from the Title VI Coordinator, in the Student and Employee Handbooks, from the Student Services Office, on the TBR website at https://www.tbr.edu and on the TCAT Athens website at https://tcatathens.edu/.

Inquiries or complaints concerning Title VI may be reported to the College's Title VI coordinator:

Kim Davis, Vice President
Title VI Coordinator
Kim.davis@tcatathens.edu 
(423)744-2814

Or the Office for Civil Rights:

U.S. Department of Education,
Office for Civil Rights
(800) 421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is committed to providing program access and accommodations for all academically qualified students with disabilities. This commitment is consistent with the College’s obligation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Qualified students are defined as individuals who, with or without reasonable modifications and accommodations, meet the essential eligibility requirements for the program services and activities offered by the College. A disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities. 

In order to obtain reasonable accommodations in relation to a qualifying disability, a student should contact Student Services prior to enrollment, or as the need arises. The college will engage in an interactive process with the student to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodation(s) in relation to the disability and the program. The college will often require documentation of the disability. Documentation is defined as written information from a qualified healthcare professional. A request form for disability assistance is available by contacting Student Services. The form should be submitted to initiate the interactive process.