Northeast State Technical Community College, Elizabethton campus, offers Computer and Information Services in modern, computer-equipped classroom. Photo by Dave Boyd

Educational institutions prepare students for the workplace

By Bob Robinson
Star Staff
brobinson@starhq.com

   The sound of airplanes passing overhead, after takeoff from Elizabethton Municipal Airport, doesn't seem to bother Keith Young, Director of Northeast State Technical Community College (NSTC), as he sits in his office across Highway 91 from the airport.
   The occasional airplane noise serves to remind Young of the upward momentum the institution of higher learning has faced since opening in Elizabethton in 1996 with 441 students. There were 540 students enrolled last fall.
   Young attributes much of NSTC's success to the coordinated efforts of educators at the Tennessee Technology Center, Elizabethton City Schools and Carter County Schools, which allow students to receive high school and college credit, simultaneously.
   The Alliance for Business Training (ABT), Directed by David Shanks, provides job services for graduates. ABT offices are located adjacent to the NSTC Elizabethton campus in facilities provided by the Elizabethton/Carter County Private Industry Council. The facility was previously occupied by Great Lakes Research.
   NSTC offers 63 courses during the day and 32 courses at night and on the weekend in Accounting, Business Management, Computer and Information Services, Developmental Studies, Humanities, Math, Office Systems, Psychology, Sociology and Speech.
   The Elizabethton campus has eight classrooms, two computer labs, a biology lab and computerized student research center. There are 50 full-time and part-time faculty.
   NSTC graduates receive either a one-year Technical Certificate or two-year Associate Degree in the arts and sciences.
   High school seniors with a sufficient grade point average can enroll at NSTC and receive high school and college credit. Elizabethton High School and all Carter County High Schools participate in the dual enrollment program, which has grown from 42 to 127 students since its inception.
   Remedial and developmental education courses are offered at NSTC. In addition, evening and distance education off-campus courses are offered for the working professional. The number of students enrolled in these courses are expected to increase, Young said.
   NSTC offers an EMT-Paramedic certificate program. Applicants must be licensed by the State of Tennessee at the level of Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, or higher, prior to applying for the program.
   In addition to EMT-Paramedic, other NSTC courses in the health professions are Physical Therapist, Cardiovascular Technology, Surgical Technical and Medical Assistant. Donald S. Coleman is the division chair, e-mail: dscoleman@nstcc.cc.tn.us.
   The Elizabethton campus features a Student Research Center, a "virtual library" equipped with electronic resources, and on campus counseling.
   Academic scholarships and work-study programs are available to NSTC students.
   Dr. Bill Locke is president of NSTC, which has its main campus in Blountville adjacent to Tri-Cities Airport.
   NSTC is one of 45 institutions governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
   To be admitted to NSTC, students apply for admission and furnish a copy of their high school or college transcript or ACT score.
   Applicants must also complete a Compass Test, a computer-based diagnostic test, which measures reading, writing and math skills. The test takes about 45 minutes to complete.
   Applications may be obtained at the Elizabethton campus from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday while classes are in session and at all other times from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Students may also complete an application and/or register for classes online at www.nstcc.cc.tn.us <http://www.nstcc.cc.tn.us/>.
   For additional information, contact Northeast State at Elizabethton, 386 Highway 91 North, Elizabethton, TN 37643, telephone 423-547-8450, fax 423-547-8451, e-mail ckyoung@nstcc.cc.tn.us.