Student Handbook

History

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland is one of 46 institutions in the Tennessee Board of Regents System, the seventh largest system of higher education in the nation. The Tennessee Board of Regents is the governing board for this system, which is comprised of 6 universities, 13 community colleges, and 27 technology centers. The TBR system enrolls more than 80 percent of all Tennessee students attending public institutions of higher education.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Upper Cumberland was established in 1967 as the State Area Vocational Technical School, one of 26 Vo-Techs located across Tennessee. Construction of the first Technology Center began in 1964, and the system was completed in 1975. The Crossville Technology Center was the 18th school built. In 1994 the Tennessee Legislature, realizing that training in the Vo-Tech schools was becoming more technical, passed legislation changing our school's name to the Tennessee Technology Center to better reflect the school's mission. The center enrolled its first students in September 1967. Six courses were available at that time—Auto Mechanics, Drafting, Electronics, Machine Shop, Office Occupations and Welding; 120 students supported by a staff of 10 full-time employees.  In 2013, the name of the Tennessee Technology Centers was changed to Tennessee College of Applied Technology. The name change is a more accurate representation of the post-secondary training offered at the 27 campuses and various satellite locations across the state.

The history of our school has been one of growth and expansion since the beginning. During the first five years, five additional full-time programs were added to the original six: Masonry, Carpentry, Practical Nursing, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, and Electrical Wiring. In addition to the eleven full-time programs offered during the day, an Evening School was started. The initial Evening School served about 75 students taught by five part-time instructors. Today, the Evening School offers 3 full -time programs with a staff of three instructors. 

A new wing was built in 1975 as a result of the Comprehensive Vocational Education ACT. The goal was to provide training for at least 50% of all high school students. The most feasible plan was to build those high school facilities on the TCAT-Upper Cumberland campus. A major expansion/remodeling project at TCAT-Upper Cumberland was completed in 1997. This project increased the square footage of the school by one-third and provided a complete remodeling of all existing facilities. The college recently expanded with a new building which includes the Diesel Powered Equipment Technology and the Power Sports Technology Program. Following this expansion, the Industrial Maintenance and Electrical Systems, Building Construction Technology, and Masonry Technology building opened its doors. The history of TCAT Upper Cumberland has been a story of success—success for the school with continued growth and strength—the success of the school’s graduates, which enables them to enjoy a better way of life.  

In 2024, The Tennessee Board of Regents approved the merger of TCAT Crossville and TCAT Livingston to become TCAT Upper Cumberland. 



 

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