TCAT Upper Cumberland: First TBR/TCAT to Earn VETS Bravo

THEC Media Contact
Jessie Greene
[email protected]
Press Release

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) congratulates Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Upper Cumberland on becoming the second campus in Tennessee to earn the VETS Bravo designation and the first Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institution and Tennessee College of Applied Technology to receive the honor.

The designation recognizes TCAT Upper Cumberland's outstanding commitment to serving military-connected students through enhanced support services, workforce engagement, and student success initiatives.

Beginning in July 2024, Tennessee VETS Campuses became eligible to earn the additional VETS Bravo designation, which recognizes institutions that meet elevated standards for supporting military-connected students. The designation was established ten years after the Tennessee Veterans Transition Support (VETS) Act was signed into law.

To achieve this honor, institutions must meet elevated criteria, including:

"TCAT Upper Cumberland's VETS Bravo designation is a reflection of their welcoming and responsive environment for military-connected students," said Kathleen Staple, THEC Director of Veteran Initiatives. "TCAT Upper Cumberland is helping translate the skills and experiences gained through military service into meaningful educational and workforce opportunities in Tennessee."

The designation comes as military-connected students continue to demonstrate strong engagement in Tennessee higher education. According to THEC's newly released VETS Campus Report, military-connected students are not only enrolling in higher education but continuing their education to pursue higher-level degrees.

Fall 2024 marked the highest semester enrollment of the year across VETS Campuses, with 6,767 undergraduate student veterans and 6,020 undergraduate military dependents enrolled statewide. The data highlights the continued engagement of military-connected learners and the role of VETS-designated institutions in providing support structures that help students persist and advance their education.

Institutions that have earned a VETS or VETS Bravo designation submit annual data to THEC on their veteran and military-connected student populations, including institution-level enrollment counts, programs of study by degree pursued, and credentials attained. The data is reported collectively across VETS-designated institutions.

To read more about VETS Campuses and other higher education initiatives, visit www.tn.gov/thec.

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About the Tennessee Higher Education Commission

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission was created in 1967 by the Tennessee General Assembly. As the state's higher education coordinating body, its mission is to build a strong higher education landscape that provides opportunities for all individuals to pursue high-quality education and high-value credentials.