A new agreement between Roane State Community College and Tennessee Tech paving a degree path for project management majors.
Roane State President Dr. Chris Whaley said the agreement helps Roane State students know how to transfer and tells them exactly what courses they will take and when. Whaley said this is essentially a road map to a degree.
“We want all of that, all of those questions to be answered,” Whaley said. “All of that uncertainty to be removed. And by doing this course by course, step by step at Roane State and then on to Tech to make that as clear as possible”
Whaley said Roane State’s newest offering of project management seems to be a great fit with Tech, since the university features the program in it interdisciplinary studies area. Whaley said he thinks students who begin the program at Roane State may want to get a bachelors degree, and the new agreement makes it easier.
Whaley said Roane State wanted to make this agreement for project management students because of its partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He said there is a big need for project managers, which was brought to his attention by people from the Lab.
“They hire so many project managers and project controllers not only at the lab, but also within the entire soiree of the department of energy, the department of science,” Whaley said. “So we started off with our offerings at Roane State from a two year standpoint, but there are also needs that Oak Ridge National Lab and other entities have.”
Whaley said some employers in search of project managers now require a bachelors degree. He said that was a factor in the partnership, as he did not want students to be unable to find work after graduation because of the inability to access a bachelors degree.
Whaley said there is a need for project managers outside of just government entities, and they are needed in almost every industry. Whaley said this role is necessary for any company that does any kind of projects.
“This curriculum is broad enough and covers enough so that folks, no matter what industry they are in, if they need folks who are in charge of projects, then this is a program they really ought to look at.”
Whaley said this articulation agreement is likely the first of many, and the school hopes to enter similar deals with other majors. Whaley said this agreement is with Tech, so it is tailored to their program, but Roane State is looking into agreements with other schools for students who prefer to continue their education elsewhere.
The program will begin being offered for students beginning in Spring of 2026.
