Spotlight On: Shanna Jackson, President, Nashville State Community College
July 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Shanna Jackson, president of Nashville State Community College, discussed rising enrollment, strategic partnerships, and expanded training pathways. “We’re seeing more success as we align training with specific employer needs — that’s the future of education,” she said.
What were some key milestones for Nashville State over the past year?
Nashville State has had a phenomenal academic year. We’re finally bouncing back from the enrollment decline during the pandemic. Enrollment was up by about 500 students in the fall and more than 900 this spring. Full-time equivalent enrollment rose 17%, which surprised us.
This growth reflects our efforts in student retention and the introduction of seven-week courses. Instead of taking four or five classes at once, students can take two in the first seven weeks and another two later, helping manage workload and build momentum. It’s not ideal for everyone, the pace is fast, but it’s especially effective for adult learners who benefit from focusing on one course at a time. This model helps them re-engage with college life.
What trends are you seeing in demand for short-term training and technical certificates?
We’ve always offered technical certificates and short-term training, so the demand isn’t entirely new. Many students still see Nashville State as a valuable place to start a four-year degree.
However, workforce shortages have heightened interest in fast, skills-based training. Employers increasingly value practical skills over degrees for many roles. We’re seeing more success as we align training with specific employer needs. That’s the future of education. We support both degree and non-credit training. Healthcare has seen strong growth, particularly in entry-level roles like patient care technicians — jobs that don’t require degrees but serve as stepping stones to advanced programs. While this has always been our focus, it’s now gaining more traction, especially with support from state leadership. We remain committed to helping adult learners access training while balancing work and family.
What gaps are you seeing in the region, and how is Nashville State responding?
Each company’s needs are different. In IT, for example, it’s not just about general training, as employers often want familiarity with specific programming languages. We teach foundational skills so students can adapt. We’re excited about our federally registered IT apprenticeship with CAT Financial. They hire two students after their first semester at Nashville State. The students earn college credit and get paid while gaining real-world experience and being part of a team. It’s a powerful partnership that supports them academically and professionally. Employers want more than certifications; they want experience. That’s why we emphasize apprenticeships and partnerships like our Learn and Earn program with Tractor Supply Company. Healthcare and IT remain the most critical sectors. Hospitality is also challenging because of the wide gaps in workforce needs. Some students question whether a certification or degree will lead to better wages, and many choose to keep working instead. We’re working to close that gap and show the value of education.
How is the college supporting its diverse student population?
Nashville State is the most racially diverse community college in Tennessee. When I started, 52% of students were white. Now, it’s under 50%, with 28% African American, and 13 to 14% Latino, and growing. Though we don’t recruit international students, our global community brings them to us. We aim to ensure all students feel they belong, regardless of background.
Our holistic support includes food pantries, textbook help, and transportation aid. Programs like Nashville GRAD and Nashville Flex offer added resources to Davidson County students, and we hope to expand them. We also listen to student feedback. Our student government identified the need for laundry services, and we now provide that for housing-insecure students. We have a college food and personal item pantry, called the Falcon Market, where students can put weekly orders in online. Additionally, we have textbook, transportation, and childcare (subsidy not on-campus care) assistance. For working parents with babies, we have a great partnership with the Nashville Diaper Connection, where they get free diapers. There are other resources too. We can’t do it all, but we partner with others to meet students’ needs and help them thrive. Our focus is on understanding who our students are and providing the resources they need to thrive.
What challenges is higher education facing, and how is Nashville State preparing for them?
There’s a lot of uncertainty at the federal level, from talk about eliminating the Department of Education to potential changes in Pell Grants. We don’t rely heavily on federal grants, but Pell is critical. If that changed, it would be devastating for students. We’re also watching immigration policies that affect student access, particularly at four-year schools. We don’t ask about immigration status, but we remain alert and committed to following the law. Being part of the Tennessee Board of Regents gives us a strong support system. They help us interpret state and federal policy and advise on how to adjust. No matter what, we’ll stay focused on serving students.
What new or developing partnerships are helping Nashville State students succeed?
We’ve expanded partnerships with four-year institutions. Belmont’s Fast Forward program helps incoming students build momentum by funding summer courses. The retention rates have been strong, and students earn Nashville State credits on our campus. The program began last year and has already shown strong retention results. Students earn credits through Nashville State while participating on our campus. We also have transfer-focused partnerships with other four-year institutions, streamlining the path to a bachelor’s degree. We’re also developing a 1+3 agriculture pathway with UT Martin to serve rural communities. Students complete general education at Nashville State, then transition to UT Martin for a business degree. It’s a way to offer needed programs without building them from scratch.
We’re also working through the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce to create a regional healthcare workforce collaborative. Many healthcare roles don’t require a degree but can lead to longer-term careers. This initiative focuses on quickly launching training programs for those roles. We recently reopened our East Davidson campus in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Workforce Essentials. It now houses our entire workforce development team and an American Job Center, creating a one-stop shop for job seekers and employers. Students can access financial aid and enroll on-site — a model we hope becomes statewide. We’ve also expanded academic pathways. We recently announced two new transfer opportunities with MTSU. One is in aerospace, a field we don’t offer directly, and the other is in cybersecurity, built through an articulation from our Associate of Applied Science program. Typically, AAS degrees aren’t designed to transfer, but we’ve created a pathway that lets students start working in the field and continue to a four-year degree.
How is Nashville State working with K-12 partners to support early college access?
We’re expanding early college programs in partnership with K-12 systems. Our Better Together initiative with Metro Nashville Public Schools is yielding outstanding outcomes. Early College High School was recently named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School for academic excellence. With PNC Bank’s support, we opened our first high school–based early college program at Whites Creek High School. This year, more than 20 of the original 50 students will graduate with associate degrees, and more will graduate with college credit. We’ve since added programs at Glencliff and Cane Ridge high schools, and interest is growing in places like Dickson. These programs help students accelerate into college and careers. Currently, they focus on Associate of Science and Arts degrees, but we’re exploring options for technical certificates and applied science programs that lead directly to employment. Our Better Together partnership with MNPS has been a standout. It’s intentional, collaborative, and deeply committed to expanding opportunities for students.
What is your outlook for Nashville State, and what are your top priorities?
Vision 2030, launched in 2021, is our aspirational guide. Now, at the midpoint, we’re seeing results. Student outcomes are improving, enrollment is up, and the changes we’ve made are gaining traction. We have five core priorities. First is adult learners — we serve the most in the state, but many still aren’t reaching us. We’re building more flexible supports to meet their needs. Second is workforce development. We’re expanding employer partnerships and aligning credit and non-credit programs with labor market demands. Third is growing FTE. Since funding depends on persistence, we’re encouraging students to take more credits using models like seven-week courses. Fourth is access and retention by improving how we recruit and support students once they arrive.
Finally, we’re investing in professional development. Vision 2030 demands transformation, and that means preparing our staff to lead it. Culture matters, and we’re committed to building one that supports student success. One emerging area we’re exploring is AI. We’re helping our community understand how these tools can be used ethically and effectively, both in classrooms and in the workplace. AI can enhance learning and improve operations, so we’re excited to see where it takes us.
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