Chattanooga State Community College is one of ten community colleges from across the country to earn National Leader College status, and one of four to earn that honor for the first time. This honor comes to Chattanooga State as a member college of the Achieving the Dream Network, a growing network of 277 community colleges committed to helping their students, particularly low-income students and students of color, achieve their goals for academic success, personal growth, and economic opportunity.

“I am incredibly proud of the students, faculty and staff who have worked so hard to increase our student success outcomes. This recognition from Achieving the Dream is a testament to Chattanooga State’s commitment to improving the lives of our students through education. I am humbled to be part of this important work,” said Dr. Rebecca Ashford, Chattanooga State president.

Leader Colleges, which are certified for three-year terms, have shown progress in building institutional capacity to create a student-focused culture and strong outcomes for all students. They play an important role in accelerating adoption of effective practices within the ATD Network and across the higher education sector. Leader Colleges are recognized for the quality of their work in whole college reform, resulting in increased completion rates for all students. Leader Colleges are expected to develop innovative ways to work with other colleges to share knowledge and facilitate an exchange of ideas about evidence-based reform strategies.  

 “We’re proud to acknowledge the achievements of colleges in our Achieving the Dream Network,” said ATD president and CEO Dr. Karen A. Stout. “These new Leader Colleges represent a group that has worked extremely hard over the past few years to change the trajectory of their institutions. Their work impacts their students, communities, and the higher education sector.”

The 2020 cohort of new Leader Colleges include: Chattanooga State Community College (TN), MiraCosta College (CA), Oakton Community College (IL), and Southwest Tennessee Community College (TN).

The 2020 cohort of Recertified Leader Colleges include: Danville Area Community College (IL), Indian River State College (FL), Macomb Community College (MI), Odessa College (TX), Sinclair Community College (OH), and Zane State College (OH).

Chattanooga State invites all members of the community to join us February 26 at 10:00 a.m. in the Humanities Theatre to hear our transformational stories and celebrate this honor with our students, faculty and staff.