Bristol received great news yesterday - that Northeast State
Community College will be bringing higher education classes to the downtown.
A new teaching site will be housed on the third floor of City
Central located at 620 State Street. The college will lease 16,000 square feet for
classrooms and offices with initial enrollment expected at 100-200 students.
Northeast State will offer two-year associate degrees,
certificates, Workforce Development training, and GED/Adult Education at the
site; and is actively seeking partnerships with other area higher education institutions to broaden class offerings at the site.
Interestingly, college officials are planning to offer an
entertainment technology program that will mesh with Bristol’s “Birthplace of
Country Music” brand. The program will
focus on equipping students with sound, lighting, and rigging skills, which
could be used in performances, hotels, churches, theaters, and other related
venues.
Thanks to Dr. Janice Gilliam, building owner and alumnus
Allen Hurley, and the Tennessee Board of Regents for working together in making
this important project a reality.
