TCAT Upper Cumberland becomes first TBR institution and TCAT to earn VETS Bravo Campus designation
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) congratulates Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Upper Cumberland on becoming only the second college campus in Tennessee to earn the VETS Bravo designation and the first Tennessee Board of Regents institution and Tennessee College of Applied Technology to receive the honor.
The designation recognizes TCAT Upper Cumberland’s outstanding commitment to serving military-connected students through enhanced support services, workforce engagement, and student success initiatives.
The Tennessee Veterans Education Transition Support (VETS) Act, enacted in 2014, established a statewide recognition program for higher education institutions that demonstrate exemplary commitment to supporting veterans as they transition from military service into and through postsecondary education. Through this legislation, institutions that provide targeted services, intentional outreach, and a campus environment designed to promote the academic success of student veterans may earn the designation of VETS Campus. Ten years later, in 2024, the legislation was revised to introduce the VETS Bravo designation, recognizing institutions that go above and beyond the foundational requirements to deliver exceptional, innovative, and comprehensive support for military-connected students.
To date, all 13 Tennessee community colleges and 13 TCATs, including TCAT Upper Cumberland, have earned VETS Campus designations. TCAT Upper Cumberland, led by President Cliff Wightman, becomes the first Tennessee Board of Regents institution and only the second college or university in the state to earn the elevated VETS Bravo Campus designation. The complete lists of institutions that have earned both designations, and other information about the VETS Campus program, are available on the THEC website at https://www.tn.gov/thec/for-institutions/veteran-initiatives/vets-campuses.html
To achieve this honor, institutions must meet elevated criteria, including:
- Utilizing insights from the campus’ annual student veteran survey to improve services.
- Identifying a VETS Bravo Campus Liaison and providing ongoing professional development.
- Establishing and maintaining a peer mentoring or support program specifically for military-connected students for at least one academic year.
- Providing career services tailored to the needs of military-connected students.
“TCAT Upper Cumberland’s VETS Bravo designation is a reflection of their welcoming and responsive environment for military-connected students,” said Kathleen Staple, THEC Director of Veteran Initiatives. “TCAT Upper Cumberland is helping translate the skills and experiences gained through military service into meaningful educational and workforce opportunities in Tennessee.”
The designation comes as military-connected students continue to demonstrate strong engagement in Tennessee higher education. According to THEC’s newly released VETS Campus Report, military-connected students are not only enrolling in higher education but continuing their education to pursue higher-level degrees.
Fall 2024 marked the highest semester enrollment of the year across VETS Campuses, with 6,767 undergraduate student veterans and 6,020 undergraduate military dependents enrolled statewide. The data highlights the continued engagement of military-connected learners and the role of VETS-designated institutions in providing support structures that help students persist and advance their education.
Institutions that have earned a VETS or VETS Bravo designation submit annual data to THEC on their veteran and military-connected student populations, including institution-level enrollment counts, programs of study by degree pursued, and credentials attained. The data is reported collectively across VETS-designated institutions.
To read more about VETS Campuses and other higher education initiatives, visit www.tn.gov/thec.
Press release by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission: https://www.tn.gov/thec/news/2026/7/27/tcat-upper-cumberland--first-tbr-tcat-to-earn-vets-bravo.html
About the Tennessee Higher Education Commission
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission was created in 1967 by the Tennessee General Assembly. As the state’s higher education coordinating body, its mission is to build a strong higher education landscape that provides opportunities for all individuals to pursue high-quality education and high-value credentials.
The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 22 colleges of applied technology, and the online TN eCampus serving approximately 170,000 students. The system is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.