Centers of Emphasis

The Centers of Emphasis program (formerly called "Campus Centers") began in 1984 with matching funds from the state. Each community college or technical institute now has at least one Center. The Centers have been established on a competitive basis through formal proposals submitted to the Tennessee Board of Regents for approval.

Centers of Emphasis are designed to demonstrate accreditation or special recognition by disciplinary associations; evidence of substantial student impact as revealed by the size and job placement records; evidence derived from review by external peer expertise if the program is not accredited; and evidence of the program receiving budgetary priority in the past sufficient to indicate that the institution has judged it to be one of its best programs, one of its most important, and one for which its service area has greatest need. Programs are authorized on two-year cycles and must demonstrate evidence of continuing benefit and must meet prescribed goals in order to continue.