April 8, 2022

Dear Chattanooga State Community,
This week’s Campus Communication begins with a special message from Chattanooga State student Zennia Nesmith, who was recently named TBR Community College Student of the Year.

Classmates,
As I prepare for my graduation from Chattanooga State and transfer to UTC, there are a few things I would like to share with you. First, I have been afforded many opportunities while here at Chattanooga State. Some internally on ChattState’s campus and some in the broader community and even internationally. These past two months have been the culmination of all these opportunities which has shifted my perspective and the way I look at our campus.

Active on Campus
I have been active on the campus of Chattanooga State for about 18 months (about 1 and a half years). It all started with a conversation between me and my academic advisor. In this conversation, she asked me about my goals and what I planned to do when I graduated. I told her, and we started moving closer to that goal from that moment. I accepted responsibilities that went past my obligations as a student. I was a part of things that I didn’t know anything about; I learned more as I went. It was all a part of my goals that I initially told my advisor. I said yes to myself repeatedly by being active on campus. You see, this was the first thing I had done for myself in all my adult life that did not include anyone else. Being a student has been my self-care for two years. Being active on campus has been my service to my community for those two years.   

Sense of Belonging  
I have heard the phrase “sense of belonging” so many times. I have said it myself in both a positive and negative way regarding my experiences in life. What I have learned in speaking with my classmates is there are different perspectives on belonging. What I know to be true is a sense of belonging is not always comfortable, and it cannot be all the time. Belonging is not always easy either sometimes; belonging is exceedingly difficult. As students, it is okay to push ourselves a little past the line we see while keeping our attention on our mental health. I have had many conversations with administrators, faculty, staff, and even the campus police about many topics. I have agreed and disagreed in many areas with these people; it is part of being human. No one will ever agree all the time.

Your Leaders
As you may know, I am the 2022 SOAR student of the year for the Tennessee Board of Regents. The experience of the two-day event is something I wish everyone could experience. To see how many people come from around the state of Tennessee just to be a part of celebrating the Tennessee College System gives you a more comprehensive lens into the role you play. Before this experience, I could see how difficult it can be to be a student at times. It has been difficult for me to be the student I needed to be at times in this process. We do not see how our campus leaders and faculty come from events, meetings, and classes and travel to represent our school. This isn’t something they did just this year but every year. I got the privilege to see VPs and Directors working remotely in lobbies to represent Chattanooga State. They left their families to represent Chattanooga State. Our Leaders had to wait for hours in rooms. Our leaders had to endure loud construction at 8 am to represent our school. All of them belonged to this event, but it was uncomfortable.

No Easy Wins
I have had many classmates say, “I want what you got.” Well, that’s not an easy task to pull off. In 2017 I read a book called “Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes. I decided to start saying yes to things that year, noticing my life changing. That was a hectic year, as you can imagine. I had a lot of self-talk to get out of bed, go to events, and be intentional with my life. But I never stopped saying yes to things. The book was called the “Year of Yes” for a reason; you can’t keep that same energy. I noticed last year that I needed to slow down a little—not stop but slow down. I am receiving all the things now because I did the work. You must work to get things done to reap the rewards. You also must be okay with looking at yourself to tweak the things about yourself. As I bring this to an end, I want to give you some advice for the ones starting this amazing experience.

Always do your best for yourself! 
If you say you are going to do something, do it! 
Respect other people’s time!
Listen more than you talk!
Ask questions when you are confused!

The most important one of all is…. invest in you! Your education will be one of the most important investments of your life; give it your time and dedication. It will pay off every time.

My whole goal coming to this campus was to get this degree and move on.  I did not need anyone to know my name. I just needed to get this done.  I am so grateful that is not all I got out of 4501 Amnicola Hwy. I got an education, but I also learned a great deal about life and connection from this. You cannot do it alone, and you were never meant to.

- Z 

Registration for Summer and Fall Classes Is Now Open
ChattState Eggstravaganza
Fun Around the World
Cap & Gown Pick-up
Feeling the Pinch from Gas Prices or Inflation?
Achieve Your Goals
Student Resources—We’re Here to Help
Student Life Events and Activities

We are resilient. We are innovative. We are united. We are ChattState.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Ashford, Ed.D.
President

Registration for Summer & Fall Classes Is Now Open

You must have a PIN to register. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your advisor to receive your PIN. Have questions about your semester, your future career, or want to talk about your goals—your advisor is here to help! Schedule an appointment today.

ChattState Eggstravaganza!

Bring your families and friends to the Egg-Stravaganza-Open House this Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Student Life is sponsoring a friendly petting zoo and family egg hunt.

Fun Around the World

The Fun Around the World festival is brought to you by the Office of Multicultural and International Student Services and Student Life! Adventure through international tastes and sounds on April 14th from 10am to 1pm! 

Cap & Gown Pick-Up

Students who did not pick up their cap & gown will be able to do so beginning Monday, April 11 – Friday April 22 during regular business hours. Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 5:30 and Friday 8:00 – 4:30. The location for pick-up is Career Services Room 216 in the Student Center.

Feeling the Pinch from Gas Prices or Inflation?

ChattState has resources to help faculty/staff and students. Whether you feel you can help a colleague or student or if you need help, please check out the following resources

Helping Hands Fund: The Helping Hands Fund is designed to support current Chattanooga State students in need who encounter unforeseen financial emergencies that would otherwise prevent them from staying in school and completing their program of study.
Food: The Tiger Cupboard provides supplemental food and other necessities for students in need. If you are able to donate your time, food, or money—we appreciate it.

Ride CARTA for Free: Chattanooga State students and employees may ride CARTA for free with a valid ChattState ID through August 31, 2022. This agreement covers all routes.

Achieve Your Goals

Academic Advising

Registration for Summer and Fall 2022 classes begins April 4. Schedule an appointment with your advisor today to be ready to register for you preferred classes.

The Academic Advising staff is here to help you have a successful semester. Whenever you need assistance from your assigned Academic Advisor please set up an appointment to meet with them by using the scheduling links on our website, Advising & Registration | Chattanooga State Community College. If you have a quick question, feel free to call or email your Advisor. Email and phone numbers are available in the ChattState Faculty and Staff Directory If you have an urgent matter, we welcome your visit in the Student Center— 226 or call us at 423-697-2456.  Note: Priority will be given to students with appointments.

Math Center

Located on the second floor of the IMC building, in room 225, the Math Center available to help students with all levels of Math. The center is equipped with over 180 computers for student use, and Math faculty and tutors are always available to assist students

Monday – Thursday: (8:00AM. – 8:00PM)
Friday: (8:00 AM – 4:30PM)
Saturday: (11:00 AM– 5:00PM)

One-on-One Math Tutoring

Username: the first part of your email address, before the @ symbol. Do not use the entire email.
(Example: jpdoe@my.chattanoogastate.edu = the username "jpdoe".)
Password: the same as your TigerWeb password.

Tutoring: ChattState offers in-person and virtual tutoring services.

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. Technology will continue to be available for students as long as they remain enrolled.
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 2022 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 Campus Guide: We now have a Campus 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.
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. Please know that you are not alone.
Ride CARTA for Free: Chattanooga State students may ride CARTA for free with a valid ChattState ID through August 31, 2022. This agreement covers all routes.

Student Life Events and Activities

All students are welcome to join! Check out our April events:

7 Movies on the Lawn, Dayton Campus, 6:30PM
12 TopGolf Trip, 4PM
14 Fun around the World
19 Hat’s Off to Excellence
26 Let’s Move Expo, 12PM–2PM
27 Movies on the Lawn, Kimball Campus, 6:30PM