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Walters State Community College

Morristown, TN

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Quick Facts

1970
Founded
Public community college
Type
3,781
Total Students
$7M
Endowment
$5K
Tuition (In-State)
$18K
Tuition (Out-State)
$4K
Avg Net Price
Associate's Colleges
Classification
President: Saul Reyes

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Walters State Community College

Walters State: A cornerstone of community education and regional development since 1970.

Walters State Community College stands as a testament to the power of accessible higher education, established in 1970 as part of Tennessee's visionary plan to ensure every citizen had a college within reach. Named in honor of former U.S. Senator Herbert S. Walters, who championed its creation in Morristown, WSCC quickly became a vital hub for learning and regional development. Its founding addressed a critical need highlighted by the 1957 Pierce-Albright Report, making it a pivotal institution in the state's educational landscape.

Over its rich history, Walters State has demonstrated remarkable growth and an unwavering commitment to its students. Under the leadership of past presidents like Jack E. Campbell, the college expanded from a single campus to four, dramatically increasing its capacity to serve diverse communities. This expansion facilitated a significant rise in student enrollment, offering both comprehensive credit-bearing degree programs and essential non-degree, job training, and continuing education courses that directly address workforce needs.

Prospective students and their families will find Walters State to be an engaging and supportive environment. The college's dedication to student experience is evident in its continuous development of facilities, including modern student services buildings and even a scenic hiking-mountain biking trail system on the main campus. Furthermore, its consistent recognition, including nominations for Community College of the Year awards in recent years, underscores its academic excellence and innovative approach to education. With a forward-looking leadership team, Walters State continues to evolve, preparing students for successful futures and enriching the communities it serves.

Key Highlights

  • Established in 1970 as the sixth community college in Tennessee, fulfilling a statewide initiative to expand higher education access.
  • Grew from a single campus in Morristown to four distinct campuses, significantly broadening its regional reach.
  • Serves nearly 7,000 students across credit-seeking degree programs and extensive non-degree, job training, and continuing education courses.
  • Nominated for prestigious Community College of the Year awards in both 2022 and 2023, recognizing its excellence and impact.
  • Features modern facilities, including a 35,000 square-foot building on the Sevier County Campus and a 104,000 square-foot building on the Niswonger Campus in Greeneville.
  • Offers a unique on-campus experience with a hiking-mountain biking trail system constructed at the main campus.
  • Current President, Saul Reyes, will begin his tenure in September 2025.

Timeline

1957
Pierce-Albright Report details higher education needs in Tennessee
1970
Walters State Community College established, named for Herbert S. Walters
1971
The College Center, the first campus building, opened
1974
Jack E. Campbell began presidency, overseeing significant expansion to four campuses
2005
Wade B. McCamey selected as president, leading further facility development
2017
Hiking-mountain biking trail system constructed at the main campus
2022
Nominated for Community College of the Year awards (also in 2023)
2025
Saul Reyes named fifth president, beginning tenure in September
🏛️
56 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Saul Reyes
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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