Crossville Tennessee College of Applied Technology is scheduled to merge with Livingston TCAT next year, and one of the steps taken toward that merger took effect Friday with a name change for the Crossville school
Crossville TCAT became Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland last week, a press release from the Tennessee Board of Regents said. The new name is in recognition of its broader service area.
“While TCAT Upper Cumberland will still provide the highest quality services and programs to our students, the new name allows us to pave the way for future program expansions and offerings in the region we serve,” said Cliff Wightman, TCAT Upper Cumberland president.
The merger with Livingston will take effect in fall 2025, all under the TCAT Upper Cumberland name.
The Tennessee Board of Regents approved the merger in September 2023, pending final approvals by the colleges’ accrediting agency, and the name change in March 2024.
TCAT Livingston will keep its name until the merger is complete. All the existing campuses and teaching locations will maintain their operations and continue fully serving students and industries across the region.
The administrative merger of the colleges will continue the move toward more efficient service and operations, clearing the way for training program expansions, the TBR press release said.
TCAT Crossville was established in 1967 as the State Area Vocational Technical School, one of 26 Vo-Techs across Tennessee at the time. Governance of the Area Vocational Technical Schools transferred to the TBR in 1983.
Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation changing the name of the schools to Tennessee Technology Centers in 1994 and then Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology in 2013 to better reflect their mission and the additional and more comprehensive career and technical programs offered, the press release said.
According to TBR statistics, TCAT Crossville enrolled more than 864 full and part-time postsecondary students during the 2022-23 academic year, with 284 dual enrolled students and 277 total certificates and diplomas earned.
Wightman began his career at the Crossville campus and with the TBR system in 2007 as a machine tool technology instructor, following an 18-year career as a machinist and engineering technician in the private sector.
He served as TCAT Crossville’s marketing and industrial training coordinator from 2012-15, when he was promoted to assistant director.
He was appointed president of the TCAT Crossville in 2017 and of TCAT Livingston in 2023.
The new name effectively communicates its service region, promising more efficient and streamlined methods for serving its students, and business and industry partners, the press release said.
“We are leveraging the latest round of funding for career and technical education made possible by Gov. Bill Lee and the General Assembly to expand program offerings for our students,” said TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings. “The renaming of these two thriving colleges not only accurately reflects their scope but also fosters potential growth at both campuses.”
TCAT Upper Cumberland offers 23 separate career and technical education programs for students, including:
Administrative Office Technology
Aesthetics Technology
Automotive Technology
Building Construction Technology
Collision Repair Technology
Computer Information Technology
Cosmetology
Criminal Justice: Correctional Officer
Diesel Technology
Diesel Powered Equipment Technology
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Industrial Maintenance
Industrial Maintenance and Electrical Systems
Machine Tool Technology
Masonry Technology
Patient Care Technology/Medical Assisting
Pharmacy Technology
Power Line Construction and Maintenance Technology
Power Sports Technology
Practical Nursing
Surgical Technology
Truck Driving
Welding Technology
The college will update its website, signage, and materials over time.