Chattanooga State Expands Nursing Program at Kimball Campus
Chattanooga State’s Nursing & Allied Health Division celebrated a new facility at the Kimball Campus. The campus aims to increase the number of nursing students prepared to enter the workforce, particularly in more rural Tennessee counties. The newly renovated building offers a state-of-the-art facility to local students in Marion County, eliminating the need to drive to the main Chattanooga State campus and making the nursing program more accessible to local students.
“With the expansion of this project, there are now science classes like microbiology and anatomy that are associated with all of the allied health programs, so not only is the RN program available, but the foundational components of many other programs are also being offered,” said Dr. Martina Harris, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Division, Chattanooga State. “The entire Registered Nursing program is included at the Kimball facility, bringing full access to this 2-year RN program. Chattanooga State is invested in Marion County and in helping students access these well-paid, high-demand jobs that will position them for success in the workforce.”
In August, the Kimball Campus welcomed 24 nursing students, nearly 50% percent more than its previous class size.
Marion County Mayor David Jackson stated, “We are very excited to have the nursing program here in Marion County. This provides our young citizens that desire to go in to the nursing field the opportunity to stay in the county to obtain their degree. We are thankful for the partnership we have with Chattanooga State that provides the equipment and faculty for this program. We hope this program is here for many years to come and look forward to their success in preparing great nurses for the future.”
A Milestone Ribbon Cutting: The Beth Jones Institute of Nursing
On August 8, 2025, the college marked a memorable milestone with the official ribbon-cutting of the Beth Jones Institute of Nursing at the Kimball Campus. The event drew notable community leaders, including Congressman Scott DesJarlais, who praised the collaboration between local officials and the college in bringing this vital educational program to the region.
Congressman Scott DesJarlais was in Marion County at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Beth Jones Institute of Nursing at the Chattanooga State Kimball campus.
He expressed his gratitude to Mayor David Jackson, Sen. Todd Gardenhire, and all of the faculty and staff at Chattanooga State Community College for their partnership in bringing this program to the County.
DesJarlais stated, “As Tennessee continues to be one of the fastest-growing states, I am proud that we have academic partners and state and local leaders bringing workforce readiness programs to our district’s more rural areas.”
Pictured from left to right are Dr. Rebecca Ashford - President, Chattanooga State, Dr. Martina Harris - Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Division, Chattanooga State, Beth Jones - Southeast Tennessee Development (retired), David Jackson – Marion County Mayor, Representative Scott DesJarlais, Jill White – Tennessee Economic Development, and Senator Todd Gardenhire.
The initiative is bolstered by a substantial $2 million Rural Health Care Pathways Expansion Grant (RHCPE) awarded to Chattanooga State by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This grant supports the development and expansion of healthcare career pathway programs across rural Tennessee—including Marion County.
Students interested in joining the next cohort or seeing more about classes offered at Kimball can get started at the Chattanooga State website for the Kimball Campus.