Chattanooga State will host the spring meeting of the Southeast Tennessee Regional P-16 Council on Friday, May 22.  The breakfast meeting convenes at 8 a.m. on Chattanooga State’s main campus in the Center for Advanced Technology.  Some of the dignitaries attending the meeting will be Representative Tommie F. Brown, District 28; Representative Jim Cobb, District 31; Representative Richard Floyd, District 27; Representative Gerald McCormick, District 26; and Bledsoe County Mayor Gregg Ridley.

Jeff Olingy, Chattanooga State’s vice president for economic and community development, will open the meeting by highlighting the critical skills students must acquire to compete for careers in the regional workforce.  Focusing on the essentials for Volkswagen, Gary Booth, manager of human resource development for the Chattanooga operation of Volkswagen Group of America, will reference the specific proficiencies Volkswagen will demand from its employees.  Both presenters will address education leaders and other concerned community citizens- all of whom will have gathered to ensure educational reforms respond to regional workforce expectations.

The Southeast Tennessee Regional P-16 Council is a consortium of individuals representing Bledsoe, Hamilton, Marion, and Rhea counties.  Members of the Southeast Tennessee Regional P-16 Council include business executives, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and educators.

P-16 is a comprehensive statewide initiative.  Focused on establishing partnerships between business, education and government, the P-16 movement in Tennessee has become the catalyst for improving academic achievement across the state.  Each regional council meets quarterly to coordinate efforts and incorporate enhancements to eliminate educational gaps.  Ultimately, the goal of the P-16 regional councils is to mobilize communities to integrate strong educational programs that ready and prepare students for postsecondary success.  The Southeast Tennessee Regional P-16 Council is vigorously identifying strategies to move students through the educational continuum, pre-k through college and beyond, toward an active and a productive life in the workforce.

“Chattanooga State is honored to host this important meeting of the Southeast Tennessee Regional P-16 Council,” says Kimberly McCormick, associate vice president for academic affairs at Chattanooga State.  “This event provides a venue for business and industry professionals to network with local educational leaders.  We hope that the dialogues initiated through these gatherings cultivate relevant, dynamic and real relationships that positively impact the learning opportunities for the students of the southeast region.”

For more information about the Southeast Tennessee P-16 Council meeting or about the P-16 statewide initiative, contact Kim McCormick, associate vice president for academic affairs, at 423.697.2402 or by email at kimberly.mccormick@chattanoogastate.edu.

For information about Chattanooga State and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.

Chattanooga State is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, operated under the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents College System.  Founded in 1965 and serving a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga State offers a wide array of programs and services.