Cleveland State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Athens will launch the Accelerate Program on Tuesday, August 18, at the TCAT Athens campus.
The Accelerate Program provides students who graduate from TCAT Athens in eligible programs the opportunity to enroll at Cleveland State and receive 30 hours of credit toward their associate degree in General Technologies. Eligible programs are automotive technology, collision repair, computer information systems, cosmetology, diesel/medium heavy equipment, industrial maintenance, machine tools or welding.
“The Accelerate Program creates an affordable pathway for students to build on their technical education and earn an associate degree,” said Dr. John M. Davis, Cleveland State President. “We are proud to partner with TCAT Athens to expand opportunities for students and strengthen our region’s workforce. The program can serve as a model for broader, statewide collaboration between the community colleges and TCATs.”
Students in the Accelerate Program can finish their associate degree in as little as nine months or less. Financial aid is available for qualified students including Federal Pell Grants, Tennessee Reconnect scholarship and other scholarships.
The program is funded through a TN Accelerate grant from the Tennessee Board of Regents. The colleges were one of only three college partnerships in the state to receive the grant.
Susan Hatto, TCAT Athens President, said, “This is an amazing opportunity for TCAT Athens graduates. Instead of starting over, they can build on what they’ve already accomplished and continue moving forward in both their education and careers. It has been a pleasure to work with Cleveland State, an institution that recognizes the value of the work we do and the skills our students gain at TCAT Athens.”
The two colleges already partner on articulation agreements, apprenticeships and the LPN to RN bridge program in nursing. By working together to increase student achievement, Cleveland State and TCAT Athens plan to transform the delivery of programs and serve as a model for other institutions throughout the state.
For more information about the Accelerate Program, email accelerate@clevelandstatecc.edu or call (423) 473-2414.