Southwest Tennessee Community College (Southwest) offers a rich array of courses making an impact on students' lives in the areas of liberal studies, health sciences, and technology. The College serves the community's needs to better its workforce and the economy of the region.

Southwest is Tennessee's largest public, comprehensive, two-year community college serving over 11,000 students and offering degrees for transfer or immediate entry into the workplace.

Southwest has numerous campuses, centers and sites to provide convenient access for students. With various locations throughout Fayette and Shelby counties, the College strives to bring higher education closer to home.

Memphis and the Mid-South Region

Located on the Mississippi River and in the heart of the Mid-South, Memphis is a charming Southern city. Its low cost of living and high quality of life combine to create an attractive destination for relocation.

Memphis is booming thanks to exciting and diverse entertainment venues, a revitalized downtown, and record-breaking capital investments. Three Fortune 500 companies — FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper — make their homes in Memphis.

A strong economy and healthy population growth have led Memphis to a fourth consecutive ranking among "America's Top 40 Real Estate Markets" according to Expansion Management magazine. The cost of housing is reasonable, including attractive urban, suburban, and rural options in close proximity to everything the city has to offer.

Memphis residents enjoy convenient access to live music, sports, outdoor activities, art galleries, and other entertainment and cultural activities:

• Memphis' rich musical heritage is celebrated year-round on historic Beale Street, at Graceland, the Rock and Soul Museum, Soulsville and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and countless other venues throughout the city and region.
• The NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and the St. Louis Cardinals' AAA affiliate Memphis Redbirds both play in fan-friendly, state-of-the-art facilities. The city's sports landscape also features annual events, such as the AutoZone/St. Jude Liberty Bowl Football Classic, the Kroger/St. Jude International Indoor Tennis Tournament, and the Federal Express/St. Jude Golf Classic.
• The Mid-South region is the duck hunting capital of the world. Access to many other popular hunting activities and four lakes for fishing can be found within a one hour drive of the city. Memphis is also home to 230 parks, including Plough Park, the largest urban park in the United States.
• The Wonders™ International Cultural Series, National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, the National Ornamental Museum, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, live theatre, opera, and ballet are just a few of the unique cultural attractions that the city has to offer. In addition, the Memphis Zoo houses one of only four pairs of Giant Pandas in the United States.

Things to know

• Southwest is ranked number one in the nation in science and technology degrees awarded, and number 10 in the nation for awarding associate degrees to African Americans by Community College Weekly.
• Southwest nursing students have a ninety-two percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Exam for Nurses.
• Southwest graduates have a job placement rate of ninety percent or more.
• Southwest is the only educational institution in the area to have an interactive media gallery on campus. The Media Gallery provides students with a place to show their work several times during their two-year program.

Southwest Facts

Student Profile:

Average Age:	28
Gender:	65.8 % Female
	34.2 % Male
Race:	56.7 % Black
	39.0 % White
	2.2 % Asian
	1.1 % Hispanic
	1.0 % Others
Student Load:	45.1 % Full-Time
	54.9 % Part-Time

Southwest is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution and is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Student Support

In order to assist students with their educational and career goals, Southwest offers the following student support services:

• Advising and Counseling assist students with their involvement in the learning and academic process and assure that students receive the caliber of advising essential for their academic success.
• The Academic Support Center supports students by providing assistance and enrichment for all through the use of technology, tutoring, and other educational resources.
• Student Activities and Multicultural Affairs provides an opportunity for student involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership, cultural, athletic and community activities.
• Evening and weekend college classes provide additional flexible scheduling opportunities for all students.
• Student-Self-Service provides students with secure, worldwide access to their personal data over the Internet.
• Child Care Services
• Athletic programs — men's and women's intercollegiate basketball, women's softball and men's baseball.

Southwest Advantages

• Southwest has an experienced faculty in every discipline.
• The College offers small classes to fit students' individual needs.
• Admission dates and times are open to all current and potential students and include early registration dates for students' convenience.
• Costs are kept to a minimum.
• The College offers students a broad range of degree and certificate programs.
• Students can participate in advanced studies through an Honors Program.
• The College offers a strong program of academic developmental services.
• Students have access to special programs in fine arts, criminal justice, allied health sciences, nursing, information technologies, engineering technologies, automotive technology and business studies.
• The College offers a variety of noncredit continuing education courses throughout the year.
• Southwest hosts workshops and seminars on various topics for students.
• Continuing Education and Community Programs (CECP) provides business, industry and individuals with hands on training and skills.

Divisions, Programs and Services

Southwest's academic programs seek to develop the whole person. Students can choose from Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, and academic and technical certificate programs.

Southwest provides students with five valuable opportunities to enhance their education. Southwest's academic divisions are: Business, Career Studies and Technologies; Liberal Studies and Education; Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Health Sciences; Distance Education; and Continuing Education and Community Partnerships.

The Business, Career Studies and Technologies Division offers a broad range of programs for students entering the workforce, for workers upgrading their employment skills, and for students transferring to four-year institutions. The Liberal Studies and Education Division is a major academic force within Southwest, with many of its courses included as general education requirements for degrees in other divisions. The Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Health Sciences Division offers programs for both career preparation and university parallel transfer.

The Distance Education Division provides two online opportunities for the degree-bound programs offered by the College, as well as, four degrees through the Regents Online Degree Program. The Continuing Education and Community Partnerships Division serves businesses looking to provide opportunities for employees to enhance their knowledge and skills, individuals wanting to expand upon career opportunities and those wanting to explore lifelong learning experiences.

Employee Benefits

The 252 full-time faculty members and 496 professional and support staff members enjoy an excellent benefit package. Highlights include:

• A variety of competitive healthcare plans, retirement plans and other benefits
• Free or reduced tuition on classes for yourself, your spouse and children
• A competitive leave package, including vacation leave, sick leave and paid holidays
• Music, entertainment and athletic events offered at no or low cost for employees and their family
• A wide variety of personal and professional training courses for an employee's development

The World Wide Web

In order to provide students, faculty, staff, and administration with the most up-to-date information on the College, Southwest maintains a site on the World Wide Web. Information about the College and its academic programs and policies is available at www.southwest.tn.edu.