History and Mission

Located in gently rolling hills overlooking the Mississippi Delta, Dyersburg is the hub of commerce, industry and agriculture in Northwest Tennessee. Because of its strategic access to rail, river and highway transportation, Dyersburg has become a thriving commercial center that retains the warmth, character and tradition of its rural past. Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, the more than 100-acre campus of Dyersburg State Community College is only minutes from a bustling business district and just a pleasant drive from the serenity of beautiful Reelfoot Lake or the excitement and rich musical heritage of Memphis.

History

The Early Years

In 1957, the Pierce-Albright Report, a study ordered by the State Legislature, was made to the Tennessee Legislative Council. It recognized the increasing need for easy availability of education throughout an individual’s lifetime. The 1963 General Assembly appropriated funds to be used over a two-year period to initiate recommendations of the report. Plans were developed for a network of community colleges in the state that would place an institution of higher education within 50 miles of each person living in Tennessee. On June 13, 1967, the State Board of Education selected Dyersburg for the location of the second community college in West Tennessee. A portion of Okeena Park was chosen as the site, and groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted on May 29, 1968.

Dr. E. B. Eller, educator and former assistant commissioner of instruction in the State Department of Education, was selected as the first president. He filled this position from December 18, 1968 until June 30, 1981, at which time he was awarded president emeritus status upon his retirement.

In February 1969, temporary offices were opened in a small frame building in the east portion of the campus. A classroom building was completed by the fall of 1969, and the other buildings were ready by the end of the year. The first class graduated in June 1971.

The 1980s

Dr. Carl Christian Andersen became the second president in July 1981. Under the Andersen administration, DSCC enrollment grew by 40%. Improvements were made in instructional technology, computer support and community involvement.

In November of 1984, Dr. Karen Bowyer became the third president. Dr. Bowyer continued the work of her predecessors to improve the quality of instruction and the service to students and the community. She worked to build partnerships with the College’s constituents and began the Annual Fund Campaign in 1985 to raise local dollars to match state funds for DSCC’s first Center of Emphasis. Citizens in each of the seven counties in the College’s service area made contributions to support scholarships and programs. Advisory committees were established in Gibson and Tipton Counties to involve community members in planning DSCC’s future direction.

During the summer of 1985, two buildings on the Dyersburg State Campus were dedicated in honor of men who played significant roles in DSCC’s development and in education in the state. The E. B. Eller Administration Building was named for a lifelong educator and DSCC’s founding president. The Dale F. Glover Education Center honored a former member of the State Board of Education, State Board of Regents and Tennessee Legislature.

The DSCC Student Center was renovated in 1985 and 1986. The large cafeteria was converted to an auditorium, and a new grill and television room were created. When the new Student Center opened in 2008, the former student center became the Campus Activities Building (CAB). A bookstore and a student activities room replaced the grill and television room in the CAB.

The DSCC Foundation was chartered in 1988. The Board of Directors set a goal of raising $5 million by the turn of the century. Contributions and pledges totaled approximately $5.9 million in December 2000.

Approximately two-thirds of an acre of the DSCC Campus was sold to the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 1986 for the development of a Baptist Student Center. A Center was built and dedication services were held on April 1, 1990. Later, the ownership of the property was transferred to the Dyer Baptist Association.

The DSCC Gymnasium was renovated in 1987 and 1988. Racquetball courts, an aerobics room, a weight room, saunas and hot tubs were added, and the original surface of the basketball court was replaced.

The 1990s

A new Gibson County facility next to Peabody High School in Trenton was opened on December 19, 1991. On January 28, 1994, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, upon the recommendation of the Tennessee Board of Regents, approved the establishment of an educational center in Gibson County and the extension of Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degree programs to that Center.

The Tennessee Board of Regents approved a master plan for the DSCC Campus in September 1991. As a result of this plan, additions were scheduled for the Learning Resource Center and the Student Center during 1992-93. A leased facility was opened in Covington in August 1992. Day and evening classes were offered at this new location. This facility was made possible by gifts from the City of Covington, Tipton County government, First State Bank, Union Savings Bank, Tipton County Bank and Cole Lumber Company. Evening classes continued to be offered at Covington High School. Land use and facility plans were proposed in 1993 for the 64-acre site purchased by the Tipton County Education Task Force for DSCC’s use.

Planning for a 30,000 square-foot facility in Tipton County was completed during 1993-94. The General Assembly made an appropriation for the 1994-95 academic year of $2.1 million to build the first phase of an 18,800 square-foot facility. A groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I took place on November 17, 1994. The new Tipton County Center opened on February 26, 1996. Construction on Phase II began in February 1997, and it was opened in January 1998. Phase II contained 13,000 square feet. The total budget for Phases I and II was $5.1 million.

On June 19, 1998, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved the naming of the first building at the Tipton County Center in honor of Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. The building was dedicated in Mr. Naifeh’s honor on October 26, 1998.

On September 17, 1999, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved the naming of the gymnasium in memory of Ed Lannom, Jr., a longtime supporter of the College. The E. H. Lannom, Jr. Gymnasium was dedicated at the 30th anniversary celebration on October 16, 1999.

The 2000s

The expansion of the Tipton County Center was a major change for DSCC in the 2000s. On September 14, 2000, the State Building Commission approved a Master Plan for the Tipton County Center. The plan called for the construction of 157,000 square feet over the next 20 years. The Covington Industrial Board donated 38 acres of property adjacent to the existing 64-acre site for the Tipton County Center in the spring of 2001.

The Union Planters Bank Community Classroom at the Tipton County Center was dedicated on July 18, 2003, in appreciation of the foresight shown by the Bank when its board made an initial investment that enabled a higher education center to be built in Tipton County.

The City of Covington Lobby of the Tipton County Center was dedicated on July 22, 2003, in appreciation of the generous support shown by the city and the Industrial Development Board.

The BancorpSouth Computer Laboratory of the Tipton County Center was dedicated on August 21, 2003, for the role BancorpSouth played as a charter investor in a higher education center for Tipton County and for the Bank’s continuing support of the Annual Fund throughout the years.

The Tipton County Center was named in honor of Speaker Jimmy Naifeh on October 1, 2004. The Center is now known as the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County.

DSCC assumed ownership of the Academic Building at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County on November 29, 2006. The Grand Opening was held on January 5, 2007. Thirty-two nursing students were in the first class in the New Academic Building in January 2007. Forty-eight students were accepted for the class that began in August 2006 in Dyersburg.

With the generous assistance of the Tipton County Legislative Body, a new parking lot was constructed at the JNC in spring 2007. A new chemistry laboratory was constructed on the second floor of the Glover Building during the summer and fall of 2007. The existing laboratory on the first floor of Glover was converted into two classrooms.

Twenty-five nursing students were in the first class to complete the regular Nursing Program at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County in December 2008. Fifteen students in the LPN to RN Fast Track Program also finished in December 2008.

On the Dyersburg Campus, the Richard E. Donner Arboretum and Nature Trail was named on September 23, 2001. The arboretum and nature trail are located northeast of the E. H. Lannom, Jr., Gymnasium. On October 1, 2002, the DSCC Foundation purchased the former Dyersburg Country Club property at a cost of $300,000. The property was purchased for use as classroom space for continuing education and for use as a temporary library facility when the Learning Resource Center was renovated. The Martha W. Donner Outdoor Classroom on the Dyersburg Campus was dedicated on October 5, 2003, in honor of a generous, longtime DSCC supporter. The Dyersburg Fabrics Student Center Grill on the Dyersburg Campus was dedicated on October 23, 2003, in appreciation of the historic role played by Dyersburg Fabrics in the growth and development of Dyer County and as a loyal supporter and a steadfast friend of Dyersburg State. The Country Club building was dedicated to Security Bank on April 8, 2004, for its generosity to DSCC, and was named the Security Bank Community Learning Center. Security Bank received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy for its generous support of DSCC. The Master Plan for the Dyersburg Campus was approved by the State Building Commission on August 12, 2004.

DSCC, the Obion County Industrial Development Corporation, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and community leaders from Obion County worked together to develop an innovative associate degree program in Manufacturing Systems Technology combined with six technical certificate programs. A facility was leased in Union City to provide a location for the instruction, thereby creating the Obion County Training and Education Center and providing greater access to education in West Tennessee. This program was approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents on September 20, 2002, and by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission on November 14, 2002.

Contributions from alumni and friends were of increasing importance to DSCC. First Citizens National Bank was presented the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy in January 2003. The Chancellor’s Award is given to individuals and organizations which have given generously to a Tennessee Board of Regents institution and have provided leadership in fundraising for an institution.

On October 18, 2004, DSCC purchased the former Country Club from the DSCC Foundation for $308,000. The building was used for offices and classrooms.

On August 23, 2004, the chemistry laboratory was named in honor of Colonial Rubber. Wendell West and Karen Hotaling Horn accepted the honor on behalf of the employees of Colonial Rubber. The music room in the E. H. Lannom, Jr., Gymnasium was named in honor of the Union City Rotary Club on April 30, 2004. The Union City Rotary Club conducts a highly successful scholarship drive each year. Many DSCC students have benefited from these efforts.

In the spring of 2005, the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee and Governor Bredesen approved a budget that included funds for construction of the New Academic Building at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County and funds to plan and build a new student center and renovate the former student center in Dyersburg. The total state funding for planning and constructing the 31,000 square-foot Academic Building at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County was $5.26 million. Groundbreaking for the new facility took place on November 4, 2005. Omega General Contractors of Memphis submitted the low bid and was chosen as the principal contractor.

The State of Tennessee provided $10 million to renovate the Eller Administration Building, plan and construct the new Learning Resource Center, renovate the former LRC and construct a parking lot on the west side of the Eller Administration Building. RFW Construction Company of Dyersburg submitted the low bid of $1.4 million to renovate 22,852 square feet in the Eller Administration Building. The Eller Administration Building renovation began on July 25, 2005 and ended on December 21, 2005. During the renovation, the faculty and staff were relocated from the Eller Building to the Student Center, E. H. Lannom, Jr., Gymnasium and the Security Bank Community Learning Center.

The “Good to Great” Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,045,017.08 during 2005-06. Katie Winchester, CEO and Chair of the Board of First Citizens National Bank, was the campaign chair. For her extraordinary and generous support of DSCC, Katie received a Benefactor Award from the Tennessee Council on Resource Development at Rippavilla Plantation near Columbia, Tennessee, on September 14, 2006.

The Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was awarded to Mary and Bill Adcock at Volunteer State Community College on June 10, 2005, and to Baptist Healthcare Corporation on December 8, 2006, at a quarterly meeting of the Tennessee Board of Regents held at Columbia State Community College. Stephen Reynolds, President and CEO of the corporation; Paul Betz, Administrator and CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton; Keon Falkner, Administrator and CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Lauderdale; and Don Hutson, Administrator and CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City, accepted the award on behalf of the corporation.

Groundbreaking for the new LRC in Dyersburg occurred on December 21, 2005. The new facility contained 28,000 square feet. The Grand Opening was held on April 27, 2007. The old LRC was renovated during the summer and fall of 2007 to house mathematics faculty, classrooms, offices and a computer laboratory.

DSCC leased approximately three acres of land to the Dyer County Legislative Body for the construction of the Dyer County Health Department on Parr Avenue. As part of the project, a new campus road was constructed from the intersection of Parr and Wilkinson toward the E. H. Lannom, Jr., Gymnasium. The road was completed in October 2006, and the Dyer County Health Department facility opened in April 2007.

Chancellor Charles Manning and community leaders participated in the groundbreaking for the new 14,000 square-foot Student Center in Dyersburg on August 20, 2007.

Chancellor Charles Manning and Foundation Chair Katie Winchester joined President Bowyer in the dedication of the newly renovated Mathematics Building, the Chemistry Laboratory in the Glover Building and the LRC Fountain on December 5, 2007. The LRC Fountain was named in memory of E. H. Lannom, Jr.

DSCC hosted the quarterly meeting of the Tennessee Board of Regents on September 25-26, 2008. The new Student Center was dedicated on September 25, 2008. The renovated former Student Center was renamed the Campus Activities Building.

Nursing was named the Center of Emphasis at DSCC in the spring of 2009. Computers and Information Technology was the former Center. The Division of Nursing and Allied Health began a new Technical Certificate Program in EMT-Paramedic during the fall semester 2009.

The Economic Impact Study of DSCC in 2009 showed that the College contributed over $43 million each year to the region’s economy for the previous 5 years. DSCC was the fastest-growing public institution in Tennessee for the fall semester 2009 as the College’s full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment grew by 28% to 2234, and its headcount grew by 23% to 3416.

The Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy was presented to First Citizens National Bank at the Grand Opening of the new Student Center. Jeff Agee, CEO of First Citizens and a DSCC Alumnus in the class of 1981, accepted the award.

The 2007-08 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,021,109 under the capable leadership of Ms. Kerrie Heckethorn, Vice President for Human Resources at First Citizens National Bank.

DSCC celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a dinner and dance on February 5, 2009. Entertainment featured the Dempseys and their brand of high-octane, rockabilly music and stage show. Quebecor World, Inc. of Dyersburg and Covington received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy from Chancellor Manning during the evening for their generous support of DSCC over the years.

The 2008-09 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,007,226.40. This was an impressive amount because of the economic recession which affected the entire nation and world. Wendell West provided the regional leadership for the Campaign.

The 2009-10 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,116,506.55 under the leadership of Danny Watson. The Dyersburg State Foundation gifts totaled $85,113.50.

The 2010s

Fundraising continued to grow in the 2010s. On November 16, 2010, Methodist Healthcare was presented the Chancellor’s Award. The 2010-11 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,155,371.54 under the leadership of Tommy Allmon. The Dyersburg State Foundation gifts totaled $123,493.04. On April 28, 2011, DSCC dedicated the Caterpillar Dean of Student Services Suite in the Student Center on the Dyersburg Campus.

The 2011-12 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,046,843.26 under the leadership of Patrick Williams. The Dyersburg State Foundation gifts totaled $355,934.71. DSCC kicked off the Leaving a Legacy Campaign on August 31, 2011. On November 16, 2011, DSCC presented West Tennessee Healthcare/Madison County General Hospital with the Chancellor’s Award. Also on this day, DSCC celebrated the groundbreaking of the new 54,000 square-foot addition to the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County. This new addition includes a state-of-the-art Learning Resource Center, Student Center and Tipton County Public Library. On March 23, 2012, DSCC presented the Chancellor’s Award to the Assisi Foundation of Memphis.

November 15, 2012, Mr. Wayne Karlgaard was presented the Pinnacle Award for his support of Dyersburg State Community College by establishing and contributing to the Doris Ann Parmenter Karlgaard Endowed Scholarship in memory of his late wife.

Ms. Mary Lynn Smith, Mr. Craig Smith, and Ms. Madeline Eddlemon were presented the Leaving a Legacy Award for Mr. Percy Smith’s support of Dyersburg State Community College and for the planned gift he gave to DSCC.

The 2012-13 Annual Fund Campaign raised $1,022,318.19 under the leadership of Dr. Kevin Cook. Additionally, a $3,000,000.00 gift was received from the Tipton County Legislature for the construction project for the new DSCC Learning Resource Center, Student Center, and the Tipton County Public Library at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County.

On November 12, 2013, Chancellor John Morgan presented the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to the family of Darrell and Dottie Sells, Darren Sells and Dena Quertermous.

On November 20, 2013, a naming ceremony was held at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County in Covington to rename the Academic Building to the Baptist Memorial Health Care Academic Building in honor of Baptist Memorial Health Care for their support of Dyersburg State Community College.

On May 10, 2014, Mr. John Farris, member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, presented the Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to West Tennessee Healthcare for their generous support of the DSCC Nursing Program.

DSCC continued to grow during the 2010s, both at the Dyersburg Campus and at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County. On March 15, 2013, a Construction Celebration was held at the Jimmy Naifeh Center to commemorate the beginning of construction on the new 54,000 square-foot addition that includes a new state-of-the-art Learning Resource Center, Student Center and Tipton County Public Library. Attending the celebration were Chancellor John Morgan, Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, Senator Mark Norris, Representative Debra Moody, Tipton County Mayor Jeff Huffman, Covington Mayor David Gordon, Covington Library Director Susan Cheairs and DSCC Foundation Board Members.

In addition to new buildings, DSCC saw growth in new programs. On September 17, 2013, Governor Haslam came to the campus to announce that Dyersburg State had been awarded a $589,000 workforce development grant to establish an advanced manufacturing program at DSCC. The grant was used to establish two advanced manufacturing labs - one in Dyersburg and one at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County. December 5, 2013, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved a new A.A.S. Degree in Advanced Integrated Industrial Technology.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced the consolidation of the Dyer County and Gibson County Adult Education programs effective July 1, 2013. In 2016, due to statewide redistricting of Adult Education, the Adult Education program housed at DSCC for over a decade was closed.

The Grand Opening of the new DSCC Learning Resource Center, Student Center and Tipton County Public Library was celebrated on September 30, 2014. Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, TBR Chancellor John Morgan, Tipton County Executive Jeff Huffman, and DSCC President Karen Bowyer participated in the celebration. The opening also featured 27 local artists who displayed their work throughout the building.

DSCC celebrated its 45th Anniversary on November 8, 2014. Over 225 guests enjoyed an evening of reminiscing through proclamations from Dyer County Mayor Chris Young and Dyersburg Mayor John Holden, both of whom are DSCC alumni, and through a video presentation. Entertainment included performances by DSCC’s Jazz Choir “Syncopation” and DSCC alumnus and comedic-magician Brian Staron. The night concluded with dancing to the music provided by Memphis-based band Jamie Baker and the VIPs.

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) and Tennessee State University (TSU) met on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, to sign a Reverse Transfer/Dual Admissions agreement. This partnership established an articulation agreement between the two institutions and formalizes the process for DSCC students transferring to TSU.

The Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor’s Award was presented to Wayne Karlgaard for his generous support of DSCC on November 18, 2014. The funds that Karlgaard has contributed have provided numerous scholarships to deserving students throughout the past several years. This, as well as his dedication to the College through participation in numerous events and programs, was recognized during the presentation.

On Thursday, December 11, 2014, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam announced that the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board reserved funding of $850,000 for a Labor and Education Alignment Program (LEAP) in partnership with Dyersburg State Community College (fiscal agent), Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Covington, Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jackson, Tennessee College of Applied Technology - McKenzie, Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Newbern, Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Paris, Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Ripley for the Certified Production Technician (CPT) Pathway to Advanced Manufacturing Program. The LEAP grant provided funds to assess and remediate, as necessary, secondary students in participating high schools in up to 17 secondary school systems to achieve a Silver Level National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and to offer the four courses of the CPT Program to students in each high school.

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) held a Naming Ceremony for the main lobby inside the new Learning Resource Center, Student Center and Tipton County Public Library at the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. During this event, DSCC President Karen Bowyer, along with Dr. Mark Bowers, Chair of the Donor Recognition Committee for the DSCC Foundation, officially unveiled the new Ripley Power and Light Company Lobby. 

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) held a Naming Ceremony for the main lobby inside its Learning Resource Center on the Dyersburg Campus on Thursday, April 2, 2015. DSCC President Karen Bowyer, along with Chancellor John Morgan, Tennessee Board of Regents, and Dr. Mark Bowers, Chair of the Donor Recognition Committee for the DSCC Foundation, officially unveiled the new Sells Family Lobby.

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) hosted its Annual Fund Campaign Celebration Dinner for the 2014-15 academic year where it was reported that $1,033,615.84 had been raised for the College’s Annual Fund. Co-Chairs Chris Heckler of First Citizens National Bank-Arlington and John Tucker of First Citizens National Bank-Dyersburg, directed the successful campaign with the help of committees from Dyer, Gibson, Lauderdale and Tipton Counties. A total of 693 donors contributed to the campaign this year.

Dyersburg State Community College hosted its final GED/HiSET graduation ceremony at the end of June 2016 after sponsoring the Adult Education program since 1996. Over 1,400 individuals earned their high school equivalency diploma during the twenty years that Dyersburg State hosted the program. Due to a state reorganization of how Adult Education services would be delivered starting on July 1, 2016, Dyersburg State opted not to apply for the grant which would serve a 17-county region. Henderson County Schools in Lexington, TN, is the new grant holder for Dyer County which is a part of the new 17-county region. Dyersburg State Community College still serves as an official testing center for the High School Equivalency Diploma Exam.

In the 2015-16 year, $1,349,572.23 was raised for the Annual Fund under the leadership of John Tucker and Chris Heckler, both of First Citizens National Bank. Also during that year, John Ford and the Ford Construction Company were honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy.

In the spring of 2016, the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County celebrated its 20^th Anniversary with a reception, photo presentation, and sharing of memories related to the history of the Center.

In Fall 2016, the new Paramedic to RN Program was started at the Jimmy Naifeh Center to provide a pathway for advancement into the nursing field for licensed paramedics.

The 25^th anniversary of the Gibson County Center was celebrated on November 4, 2016. The program recognized the early support of the following community leaders who attended the celebration: Bill Woods, Paul Carson, and Mrs. Tommie Goodson. Current students who represented the more than 7,000 students who had benefitted from the Gibson County Center reminded the audience of the difference that the educational opportunities offered at the Center had made in their lives.

In 2016, DSCC was awarded a federal TRIO Education Opportunity Center (EOC) grant for $236,000 per year for five years, Cutbacks in the federal budget led to this grant’s defunding effective December 31, 2017. Student Support Services and Upward Bound funding through the TRIO program was set to continue for the next five years.

In the fall of 2016, DSCC’s Division of Continuing Education began to offer the only critical care paramedic program in West Tennessee. The first cohort of students completed the program in January 2017, and eleven of the twelve students passed the national certifying exam on the first try with the twelfth student passing the exam on the second attempt.

In the spring of 2017, the DSCC Eagles baseball team won the regional and district championships and made its first-ever appearance at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado, in May 2017.

The Annual Fund campaign for 2016-17 raised over $2.4 million. The campaign was chaired by Sandy Tarkington, Vice President for Marketing at First Citizens National Bank, with support from the following county chairs - Tipton County: Rosemary Bridges, Director of the South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce; Gibson County: Libby Wickersham, Director of the Greater Gibson County Chamber of Commerce, and Bill Woods, retired banker; Lauderdale County: Mark Bowers, Ripley Drugs; and Dyer County: Danny Watson, Community President at Simmons Bank. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission awarded a grant for $1,075,000 to DSCC to build capacity for the Paramedic to RN Program in Dyersburg in support of Tennessee’s Drive to 55 initiative. The grant included funds to renovate space in the Glover Building for new nursing laboratory space and the purchase of new simulation equipment.

In June of 2017, the Karlgaard One Stop in the Student Center at the Dyersburg Campus was named in honor of Mr. Wayne Karlgaard in recognition of his generosity and dedication to Dyersburg State Community College. Additionally, Security Bank was awarded the Regents Award for Excellence in Philanthropy for its years of monetary and time contributions to the College, and the Donner Family, including Dick and Martha Donner and their son Richard, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy in recognition of their many years of support for DSCC.

In August of 2017, 17 students graduated from DSCC’s first class in the Paramedic to RN Program. These students achieved an NCLEX pass rate of 94 percent, and 100 percent of the graduates found employment in the region.

In October of 2017, DSCC hosted a committee from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for the College’s decennial reaffirmation of accreditation. Additionally, an accreditation team from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) visited the Nursing Program’s regular eight-year review in late January of 2018.

In January 2018, DSCC was awarded a Delta Health Care Services Grant from the Delta Regional Authority for $476,280 to fund new simulation equipment for Emergency Medical Services, a new instructor for the Paramedic to RN Program in Dyersburg, and healthcare collaborations with Peabody High School, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and the Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board.

Statement of Vision

Dyersburg State Community College will elevate the region’s educational attainment thereby enhancing the quality of life in West Tennessee.

Abbreviated Mission Statement

Dyersburg State Community College uses learner-centered instruction to expose students to the best historical and contemporary ideas to help them create effective solutions to future challenges.

Statement of Mission

Accreditations

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) is a higher education institution of the TBR The College System of Tennessee. Dyersburg State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the associate level. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Dyersburg State Community College.

In addition to regional accreditation through SACSCOC, DSCC has several academic programs that are accredited by nationally-recognized accrediting agencies. The agencies are as follows:

The Associate of Applied Science degree program in Health Information Management is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), 233 N. Michigan Avenue, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-5800 (www.cahiim.org).

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing at Dyersburg State is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326 (http://acenursing.org).

The Associate of Applied Science degree in the Business Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), 11520 West 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213 (www.acbsp.org).

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education is fully accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), 1313 L Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005, 202-232-8777, 800-424-2460 (www.naeyc.org).

The Dyersburg State Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP, www.coaemsp.org). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, 727-210-2350, www.caahep.org. The Associate of Applied Science in the Emergency Medical Services major with a concentration in Paramedic is approved by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), 8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312, Rowlett, TX 75088 (www.coaemsp.org) and collaborates with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 (www.caahep.org).

Two courses of study, Emergency Medical Technician and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, are approved by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment; successful completion of these courses of study and a passing score on the state examination lead to state certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. The Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Services major with a concentration in Advanced EMT and/or Paramedic is approved by the Tennessee Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services.

Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of state law may submit a Letter of Complaint to Dyersburg State Community College, Office of the President, 1510 Lake Road, Dyersburg, TN 38024. All complaint records are kept on file and maintained in the President’s office. Complaints are reviewed immediately by the President and the appointed complaint committee. An appropriate response and action will take place within 30 days from the receipt of the complaint.

Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of state law not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint Form to the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1 Bridgestone Park, Nashville, Tennessee 37214 or may go online and fill out the form electronically at http://www.tbr.edu/GenericForm.aspx?ekfrm=7529. Under Tennessee’s open records law, all or parts of complaints will generally be available for review upon request from a member of the public.

Complaints regarding accreditation may also be made by contacting the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, telephone: 404-679-4500 (www.sacscoc.org).

Memberships

Dyersburg State Community College holds membership in the following national, regional and state organizations:

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

American Association of Community Colleges

American Technical Education Association

Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Profession

National Junior College Athletic Association

Tennessee Association on Higher Education and Disability

Tennessee Community College Athletic Association

Tennessee College Public Relations Association

Tennessee College Association