Centers of Excellence and Emphasis
In 1984, the General Assembly and the Governor of Tennessee announced the creation of a new "Centers of Excellence" program for Tennessee public higher education. Selected through a statewide competitive process, the Centers of Excellence are designed to build upon the research strengths of the campuses of Tennessee Board of Regents and University of Tennessee. Their purpose is to focus on the capabilities of public higher education to serve the people of Tennessee by expanding the state's research base; thereby, increasing its national and international stature and its economic competitiveness.
The Centers of Emphasis program (formerly called "Campus Centers") began in 1984 with matching funds from the state. The Centers have been established at each community college on a competitive basis through formal proposals submitted to the Tennessee Board of Regents for approval.