Mission Statement

The mission of Pellissippi State Community College is to serve the needs of its community by providing quality college courses and programs, along with appropriate student support and preparation, and by meeting a broad spectrum of community needs, including training and workforce development, educational support, life enrichment, and civic and cultural advancement. 

About Us:

Pellissippi State is a vital institution accustomed to transformation and growth. Since its founding in 1974 as State Technical Institute at Knoxville, the College has expanded the teaching of technology, the use of technology in instruction, and the transfer of technology to local business and industry in support of regional economic development.

Having enrolled only 45 students in its first year of operation, the institution experienced steady growth in the ’70s, adding business technology programs to its original core of engineering technology programs. As community awareness grew, so did expectations. In 1988, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved the expansion of the technical institute’s mission to include college transfer programs.

This mission expansion was accompanied by a name change to Pellissippi State Technical Community College, and enrollment grew quickly. In 2009, the Legislature voted to shorten the name. The institution is now known as Pellissippi State Community College.

The College continues to support and develop career-path associate’s degrees, associate’s degrees for transfer, certificates, and continuing education opportunities for the citizens of Knox, Blount, and surrounding counties. Pellissippi State offers credit courses to high school students as well. In partnership with the community, the College sustains the effort toward an ever-improving quality of life for residents of East Tennessee.

In fall 2012, 11,259 credit students were enrolled at Pellissippi State, as well as thousands of non-credit students.