Volunteer State Community College Master Plan

Description:

With the second largest enrollment of any Tennessee community college, Vol State is fortunate to have adequate teaching facilities to meet its needs. However, to ensure that the facilities continue to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff, TSW was engaged to develop the Volunteer State Community College Master Plan. The goal of the Master Plan was to determine the direction of the physical landscape of the main campus in suburban Nashville.

To achieve this goal, TSW engaged the campus community to gather input and feedback on the direction of the Master Plan. One-on-one interviews with administrators and faculty, focus groups, online surveys, and guerrilla student engagement allowed for broad participation. Based on the input received, the Master Plan focused on improvements to the physical landscape of the main campus.

Improvements brought about by the Volunteer State Community College Master Plan will include updating tree plantings to create a more usable quad, converting dead plazas and mechanical areas to outdoor rooms, and creating a series of terraced gardens and bioswales that will build on Vol State’s robust sustainability initiatives. A detailed demographic analysis was also conducted to identify the need for a new campus in Wilson County, near rapidly growing employers, and to accommodate future enrollment growth.

Underutilized buildings identified by the space analysis are recommended to be repurposed, demolished, or renovated. Additionally, renovations of aging but highly used spaces, such as science labs, the library, and the dining hall, will improve retention and the student experience. Overall, the Master Plan aims to improve the physical landscape of the main campus and create a more welcoming, functional, and sustainable environment for students, faculty, and staff at Vol State.