History of the CCCE
The Center for Community Career Education was founded in 1980. For nearly 40 years, the Center has helped The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga fulfill its mission as an engaged metropolitan university. Since its inception, it has provided the guidance and assistance necessary to ensure more than 78,000 clients achieve their goals of enhanced education and better careers. Over the years, audiences served include displaced homemakers, single parents, at-risk youth, career changers, people with disabilities, and other groups who face barriers to education or employment.
As a unit of UTC's College of Health Education, and Professional Studies, the Center applies its skills and shares "best practices" in service provision to individuals in five counties in Southeast Tennessee. With an average annual grant budget of $1.9 million, the Center has earned more than $40 million since 1980.
"Since it's beginning, the Center's mission has been dedicated to educate, support and inspire and inspire individuals to achieve their potential. Thousands have been provided with services that have enriched their lives and provided them with opportunities and skills to achieve goals. Our partners in the community and region are vital to our success and we share those successes with them and continue to look for ways to inspire our citizens to reach their potential."
Sandy Cole, former Executive Director for the CCCE
As of 2019:
- All programs in the Center meet or exceed outcomes.
- More than 78,000 youth and adults have been served since 1980.
- More than $40.4 million in grants and contracts have been secured.
- Average annual service is to more than 5,800 regional students and adults.
- Talent Search has secured more than $3 million since 2006.
- Upward Bound was 50 years old at UTC in 2018 and has secured $2.7 million since 2010.
- Upward Bound Math/Science has secured more than $5.0 million since 1999.
- GEAR UP has secured more than $15 million in Bradley, Walker and Hamilton Counties.
- EOC has secured more than $5.3 million since 1998.
- CK, Now! has served more than 10,800 children since 2015.
- EORO has secured more than $454,000 in scholarships since 2010.
Center for Community Career Education
Timeline of Growth, 1980-2019
