DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — For students born and raised in Dickson County, the thought of leaving to pursue a four-year degree isn't always ideal.

Through its brand-new Dickson Campus, officially opening in Fall 2026, Nashville State Community College is working to help those students still achieve their career goals, and many times quicker than you might expect.

“We're going to be offering the EMS program and the RN, registered nurse, program here," Telaina Wrigley, Dickson and Humpreys County Campus Director, said. "It's something that's in great need in the community and the surrounding area."

Dickson’s campus through a variety of programs and course offerings, including dual enrollment in partnership with local high schools.

“Technical degrees have really grown in the U.S., and the need for them, and EMT is one of those," Wrigley said. "These students are going to be able to start with us and finish with us at the same time they finish high school."

Right off Highway 46, the new facility will offer specialized EMT and nursing classrooms, along with general education class settings. Even though dual enrollment is an option, students can also take advantage of their “two plus two” pathway, through the Tennessee Promise program. 

“At this facility, we'll be able to also do a general studies degree and there's 19 hours built into that that is elective hours,” Wrigley explained. “Students will be allowed to take those 19 hours and see what's needed at the four-year institution that they want to transfer to, and we can try to tailor it so that they can get those classes, those lower division classes, done before they go there.”

The new facility will work to fill local nursing and EMT shortages, among other needs, and will work to appeal to students as far as Clarksville.

“When I was in high school, which was a long, long time ago, there were no opportunities like this,” Wrigley said. “Now in Dickson, we have almost 200 dual enrollment students in the Dickson community that are doing dual enrollment, and we've only got two high schools in this county.”

The Dickson Campus will also offer a variety of resources to students, including counseling, free tutoring, and even a food pantry.

Construction was set to be complete in May, but campus officials expect to see a completion date closer to March 2026.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/on-tour-middle-tn/nashville-state/