DATE: August 5, 2002
CONTACT: Calvin Burns, (901) 333-4023 Marilyn Duncan, (901) 333-4247

Southwest Ranked Among Leaders in Awarding Associate Degrees

Southwest Tennessee Community College has been ranked as one of the leading two-year colleges in the nation for awarding associate degrees by a national publication that focuses on community colleges. The College made high marks in three categories that track the top 100 associate degree producers.

Community College Week issued its 2002 Top 100 Associate Degree Producers ranking on June 24. Southwest made a strong showing in the Science & Technology category by sharing a number one ranking with Cleveland State. According to the findings of the national survey, Southwest awarded a total of 58 associate degrees in Science & Technology during the 1999-2000 academic year.

Southwest is ranked 10 in the nation for awarding associate degrees in all disciplines to African Americans, and 55 overall in all disciplines for all minority students. The College awarded a total of 200 associate degrees in the all disciplines to African Americans category, and 204 associate degrees in the all minority students listing.

According to a survey conducted by Community College Week, approximately 5.6 million students are now enrolled in the nation’s two-year colleges. The survey also found that these institutions awarded more than 560,000 associates degrees for the 2000-2001 academic year.