Southwest Tennessee Community College

Vision
Southwest Tennessee Community College will become the college of choice and a national model for technical, career, and transfer education by fostering student success, transforming lives, and strengthening the diverse community.

Mission
Southwest Tennessee Community College is the comprehensive, multicultural, public, open-access college whose mission is to anticipate and respond to the educational needs of students, employers, and communities in Shelby and Fayette counties and the surrounding Mid-South region. The college provides citizens with an effective teaching and learning environment designed to raise educational levels, enhance economic development, and enrich personal lives.

To fulfill its multipurpose mission, the College:

• Offers a broad range of learning opportunities in technical, career, general, transfer, developmental, honors, and continuing education
• Offers associate degrees, certificates, and courses to prepare students for employment, career advancement" personal enrichment, and college and university transfer
• Increases educational access through technology-assisted instruction, distance learning opportunities and multiple locations
• Initiates partnerships and public service activities for workforce development and lifelong learning throughout the community
• Implements articulation agreements and collaborative activities with high schools, technology centers, colleges, and universities
• Attracts and retains diverse faculty, staff, and students
• Delivers effective academic programs, student support services, and administrative services through quality personnel, current technology, and continuous planning, evaluation, and improvement

Southwest Tennessee Community College is committed to the education of a non-racially identifiable student body and promotes diversity and access without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Southwest Tennessee Community College is a member of the State University and Community College System of Tennessee under the governance of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Implementation of Mission
Implementation of this mission requires specific activities carefully designed to ensure that the mission is accomplished. These activities are grounded in the College's basic values and are continuously evaluated and improved. As a current implementation strategy, the College:

• Offers Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, and Associate of Science degrees, academic and technical certificate programs, and courses that prepare students for transfer, employment, and career advancement in areas that include allied health sciences, nursing, business, computer technologies, criminal justice, education, and engineering and related technologies, while continually developing new programs in emerging fields
• Offers a general education program to improve student communication and mathematical skills, critical thinking, cultural awareness, and personal and civic responsibility
• Provides customized training, specialized courses, continuing education, and assessment services to meet personal, career, and workforce development needs
• Provides developmental education to strengthen basic academic skills
• Develops articulation agreements and collaborative activities with high schools, technology centers, colleges, and universities to ensure smooth educational transitions for students
• Develops and sustains effective partnerships with business, industry, and community agencies to foster economic development and workforce preparation
• Initiates public service activities and educational collaboratives dedicated to life-long learning and the improvement of the community at large
• Creates opportunities for enrichment and personal growth through social, cultural/artistic, multi-cultural, and athletic activities
• Utilizes technology reflecting current business and industry standards
• Provides student support services to increase opportunities for success
• Promotes academic excellence by supporting effective learning with quality instruction, a free exchange of ideas, and enhanced educational experiences through honors programs

Values
As a college community, the faculty and staff of Southwest Tennessee Community College is committed to the following values as guides for their professional practice:

• Learning
• Student success
• Academic excellence
• The uniqueness and worth of each individual
• Dedicated faculty and staff
• Responsible learners
• Diversity
• Personalized instruction and hands-on learning
• Open communication, teamwork and participatory management
• Academic freedom
• Ethical and professional behavior
• Community involvement
• Continuous improvement

History
Southwest Tennessee Community College draws on the legacies of two colleges, Shelby State Community College and State Technical Institute at Memphis, which were consolidated July 1, 2000.