Dear Chattanooga State Family,
This week, I have had the joy of seeing our spring 2021 graduates come to campus to pick up their caps and gown. What an exciting and happy sight to see! I am truly proud of the work these graduates—and future graduates—have done in the last year. You have worked incredibly hard, overcome may obstacles, and are achieving your dreams. We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments in these last weeks of the semester and at multiple graduation ceremonies in May.
Until May, finish strong—you've got this.
Student Spotlight: Megan Matthews, Nominated for President’s Award
7-Week Classes Success Stories
Apply to Be a Summer Tutor
Looking Ahead—Summer & Fall 2021 Registration
Important Financial Aid Deadlines
Student Voices Initiative (SVI)
Student Resources
Student Life Events & Activities
College Exit Exam
Race & Ethnicity Pilot Survey Now Accepting Student Responses
Dream Big, Think Big: Tigers' Den Pitch Competition
We are resilient. We are innovative. We are united. We are ChattState.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Ashford, Ed.D.
President
Student Spotlight: Megan Matthews, Nominated for President’s Award
Megan Matthews moved to Tennessee from Oakland, California when her then-fiancé (now husband) Kyle, also a ChattState student, moved back home to help take care of his mom, who was having health issues. Megan has financed her education by working a nearly, full-time schedule at Domino’s Pizza in Kimball, and she completed her first semester entirely at the Kimball campus. When she arrived to take upper-level classes on the main campus in spring 2019, the American government class was one of her two classes, and her work was absolutely stand-out AMAZING. Megan was nominated for the Washington Center trip in May 2019, it seemed as those two weeks in DC really helped her to come out of her shell and find her place among her peers at ChattState.
Then… sadly, COVID. Because of her job, she was in constant contact with customers, delivering pizzas, often to the same house twice in one day. She could no longer be around her mother-in-law, because of the potential risks of catching COVID from a customer and spreading it to family. She persisted in her classes even as she attempted to juggle more than 60 hours per week at Domino’s with her 15 credits of coursework.
Megan is an outstanding student who thinks and learns deeply and who cares so much about the world around her. She deserves to be celebrated for her accomplishments and her incredible tenacity.
7-Weeks Classes Success Stories
Have you taken a 7-week class and enjoyed your experience? Please share your story with us! You must be signed into your ChattState Microsoft email account (xxxx@my.chatttanoogastate.edu) to take the survey.
Apply to Be a Summer Tutor
You can earn a $1000 stipend for your work this summer tutoring. The Bill & Crissy Haslam Foundation launched the Tennessee Tutoring Corps (TTC) to help address COVID learning losses for students across our state. Apply now to take part in this exciting opportunity.
Looking Ahead—Summer & Fall 2021 Registration
Schedule an Advising Appointment
Registration for summer and fall is now open for all students; you will need a PIN to register. Schedule an appointment with your advisor to be sure you know which classes to take next semester. Register now to get the best selection of classes
7-Week Classes Update
The 7-week class format breaks the standard 15-week semester into two sessions that are 7-weeks each. You will still take the same number of classes as you would in a 15-week semester, but now you divide the number between the two 7-week sessions. For instance, if you normally take 5 classes in a 15-week semester, the first 7 weeks you might take 3 classes and in the second 7 weeks you might take 2 classes.
The data is in. Over the past several semesters that we have offered 7-week classes at ChattState, students are more likely to finish the class. It doesn’t matter how you break the data down: gender, race, income, or age. Here at ChattState we have seen an increase of 10–15% of students are more likely to finish classes during the 7-week session than they are in a 15-week session. This better completion rate can be attributed to being able to stay focused because of fewer classes, stay motivated because of a shorter term, and stay on track because of fewer classes to plan around.
Important Financial Aid Deadlines
- Tennessee Reconnect Grant Program 2020-21 FAFSA filing deadline for the extended from February 1, 2021, to May 15, 2021.
- Dual Enrollment Grant application deadline for the Spring 2021 term extended from February 1, 2021, to May 15, 2021.
- Dual Enrollment Grant application deadline for the Spring 2021 term at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) from March 1, 2021 to May 15, 2021.
Student Voices Initiative (SVI)
Chattanooga State faculty, staff, and administrators want to learn more about what it means to be a Chattanooga State student. In order to learn more about student experiences, we are conducting student focus groups (guided discussions), which are designed to gather perspectives from a diverse array of students. We invite you to participate in these focus groups to help us. To participate, please sign up. Compensation of $25 is offered to students who complete the focus group survey.
Student Resources
- Tutoring: Virtual tutoring services are available to you.
- Emergency Aid: The Student Support Center is available to assist students struggling to meet their basic needs. Please use the Wellness Check on TigerWeb to let us know if you need assistance.
- Technology Support: Devices (laptops, hotspots, etc.) are available through the College. To request a device, complete the technology request form.
- Support Services: Chattanooga State is dedicated to delivering support services and resources to assist our students. Visit the virtual Student Support Center to learn more about the many services offered.
- Academic Resources: Visit the Spring 2021 Update page for a listing of academic resources, including links to the Math Center, Andrews Reading and Writing Center, the Testing Center, Kolwyck Library, and more.
- Student Assistance Library (Lib) Guide: We now have a Lib Guide for students to provide assistance with eLearn / Virtual Classes / Proctoring / Accessibility / etc.
- Career Services Center: The Career Services Center is available to provide services online or by phone to Chattanooga State students, alumni, faculty and staff. Services include career counseling & assistance with selecting a major, job search planning, resume writing assistance, interview skills, and more. Visit JOBlink to view job and internship opportunities. To schedule an appointment for any service, please call 423-697-4421 or email careers@chattanoogastate.edu. The Career Services Virtual Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Food: The Tiger Cupboard provides supplemental food and other necessities for students in need. Visit for more information.
- Tennessee Board of Regents Student Resources: We know that the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has been causing a great deal of uncertainty, anxiety, and stress for students across Tennessee. The closing of many places of employment and moving college courses and services to a virtual environment can lead to emotional and financial strain in addition to the physical health risks presented by the virus. Please know that you are not alone.
Student Life Events & Activities
All students are welcome to join! Check out your Student Life Calendar of Events.
College Exit Exam
For students who will complete associate degree requirements in May or summer months of 2021 and who have an intent to graduate form on file with Records, information about completing the required College Exit Exam has been sent to your student email (TigerMail). The exam is online, takes approximately 45 minutes and can be taken at your convenience by May 1, 2021. The results from the College Exit Exam are used for institutional improvement planning as well as an indicator of the learning within the required general education courses.
Race & Ethnicity Pilot Survey Now Accepting Student Responses
In order to better understand our students’ experiences with racism, inclusion, and belonging. Chattanooga State is participating in the Race and Ethnicity Pilot Survey administered by the Center for Community College Student Engagement (the same group who also administers CCSSE). Email invitations will be sent to credit-bearing degree-seeking students this week. Please check your student email account for the link or take the survey here and tell us about your experiences at Chatt State. Your access code is your student email address minus the “@my.chattanoogastate.edu”.
Dream Big, Think Big: Tigers' Den Pitch Competition
Open to all faculty, staff and students!
The Chattanooga State Tigers’ Den seeks higher ed entrepreneurs! This competition is open to any human with a bold idea to accelerate pandemic recovery to make things better for our campus family. Cross-divisional teams are encouraged to apply. Apply today.