It all started in 1967 when then-United States President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Claudia “Lady Bird”, flew to Columbia to attend the opening of Columbia State Community College.

Today, the first community college in Tennessee history serves nine counties at five campuses in south central Tennessee, offering day, evening and online classes. CSCC is accredited by the same Southern Association of Colleges and Schools that accredits universities such as Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Belmont, Lipscomb and Middle Tennessee State.

“Students can complete their first two years of college at a much lower price at Columbia State compared to most universities,” says Paul Hickey, director of public relations at the college. “They can take the exact same core classes here that they can at any four-year school.”

Tuition at Columbia State is $118 per semester hour for in-state students, and the school awards more than $10 million in financial aid each year. Enrollment is close to 4,500 and there are 250 faculty members.

“Every professor at Columbia State is required to have a master's degree, and 85 percent of our faculty and staff hold even more advanced degrees,” Hickey says.

Partnerships with Business, Industry

The college offers 50 degree programs and is especially well known for its nursing and elementary education curriculums. CSCC also partners with area businesses to provide training and continuing education for employees.

Acknowleging the growing solar sector in Tennessee, CSCC's Center for Economic and Workforce Development now offers online sustainability courses for students interested in careers in green construction and the production of biofuels, clean energy and solar power.

“Specific programs include biofuel production operations, principles of green buildings, certified indoor air quality manager, natural gas plant operations and a solar power professional program,” Hickey says.

Practice What They Preach

At the same time, Columbia State has also launched an extensive effort to make its own sustainability improvements across the main campus in Columbia as well as four satellite facilities. The focus is on improving building operating efficiency with lighting control upgrades, water conservation improvements, and heating and air conditioning advancements.

“This initiative helps Columbia State reduce costs and reduce our carbon footprint,” says Dr. Janet F. Smith, CSCC president.

CSCC officials estimate that the annual savings from the efficiency measures will approach $200,000 annually, which is more than a 30 percent savings on the college's current utility and maintenance costs. Those savings are equivalent to powering 85 homes, planting 1,000 acres of trees and removing 740 cars from the road.

“In addition, the school has purchased hybrid and electric vehicles to replace older gas powered vehicles driven by security and maintenance staff,” Hickey says. “And automatically at night, all PCs in the college's computer labs are powered down and then rebooted in the morning so they are ready for student use.”