Apr 20, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog

About Southwest Tennessee



Since its establishment in July 2000 through the merger of two institutions, Shelby State Community College and State Technical Institute, Southwest has emerged as a leader in providing career and technical education. With its expansive footprint across seven locations in Shelby and Fayette counties, workforce programs, and industry and community connections, Southwest has become the workforce solution for Memphis and the Mid-South.

The College offers more than 110 programs of study that lead to as many as 27 University Transfer and career associate degrees and more than 20 technical certificates. With more than 150 credentials spanning the curriculum, students have a robust choice of programs to build their careers. Greatly expanded technological capability reaches into every corner of the College, including registration and classes via Internet, intra-college communications, and programs that give students skills for careers that are new today or coming tomorrow.

Southwest’s various locations make getting a degree more convenient. The College’s two main campuses serve a population of more than 633,000 residents in a five-mile radius of either location.

Southwest’s intensive technology programs are based at the Macon Cove Campus, located off the I-40 and I-240 expressways in the eastern part of the city. The campus hosts multiple partnerships, alliances, licensing and certification programs, service grants, and extensive computer training facilities that serve both students and community. Macon Cove’s 100-acre campus offers a suburban ambiance, enhanced by a quiet lake that provides year-round habitat to flocks of ducks and other waterfowl.

Convenient to downtown and Midtown Memphis, the Union Avenue Campus hosts allied health sciences and nursing programs and a fine arts program complete with a well-equipped theater. The Union Avenue Campus is the original home of the Saluqi men’s and women’s basketball teams, which have brought national attention to the College over the years and much enjoyment to students and other local sports fans. The intercollegiate sports program includes men’s baseball and women’s softball teams, which also have fielded top teams.

With locations throughout Shelby and Fayette Counties, higher education through Southwest is very accessible. The following list spotlights key programs among the College’s seven locations.

Macon Cove Campus
5983 Macon Cove
Memphis, TN 38134
(901) 333-5000

Programs: Accounting, Administrative Professional Technology, Architectural Design Technology, Automotive Service Technology, Business, Criminal Justice, Computer Engineering Technology, Computer Information Technology, Early Childhood Education, Electrical Engineering Technology, EMT-Basic, Fine Arts (Theatre), Graphic Arts, Hospitality Management, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Technology, Paralegal Studies, Substance Abuse

Union Avenue Campus
737 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 333-5000

Programs: Business, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, EMS - Basic/Advanced/ Paramedic, Fine Arts (Theater), Medical Lab Technician, Nursing, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy, Physical Therapy Assistant, Radiology Technology, Substance Abuse

Maxine A. Smith Center
8800 East Shelby Drive
Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 333-6005

Programs: Accounting, Aviation Operations Technology, Business, Communication, Computer Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, General Studies, History, Information Systems, Logistics/ Transportation Management, Mid-Management, Paramedic, Psychology, Public Administration, Social Work, Tax Preparer

Whitehaven Center
1234 Finley Road
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 333-6450

Programs: Funeral Services Education, General Studies

Gill Center
3833 Mountain Terrace
Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 333-5970

Elbert T. Gill Jr. Center: Medical Billing and Coding, Clinical Medical Administrative Assistant, HiSet Exam Prep, General Studies

Somerville at UT-Martin (Fayette Site)
214 Lakeview Road 
Somerville, TN 38068
(901) 333-6200

Millington Center
6500 Navy Road
Millington, TN 38053
(901) 333-4032

Programs: Southwest offers the Sommerville and Millington communities General Studies

Directions to Southwest campuses, centers and sites can be found at https://www.southwest.tn.edu/locations/index.php or by calling (901) 333-5000 or the toll-free number 1 (877) 717-7822.

Mission

At Southwest Tennessee Community College, community is our middle name. As a teaching and learning college, our students pursue associate degrees and technical certificates and engage in workforce development training to prepare them for the demands of an evolving marketplace. Our ability to change and adapt to uplift our students and serve our community makes us unique. At Southwest, we believe everyone deserves an opportunity.

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 continually evaluated and improved. As a current implementation strategy, the College:

  • Offers Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Science in Teaching degrees, 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
  • Offers an Honors Program for creative and academically talented students
  • 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 lifelong 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 commit 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

Vision

Southwest 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.