THEC committee recommends Columbia State master plan, citing enrollment growth and facility needs

Columbia State Community College President Janet Smith and a principal from the Sizemore Group presented the college’s campus master plan to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s Finance & Operations Committee on Feb. 19, 2026, and the committee voted unanimously to recommend adoption to the full commission.

The plan sets three overarching goals: a target of 22% enrollment growth from 2024 to 2032; a focus on emerging workforce and traditional academic programs; and improvements to the student experience, particularly ‘‘softer’’ support spaces not always captured in space‑formula guidelines. President Janet Smith described the college’s long presence in the region and framed the plan as part of a multi‑campus strategy that includes Columbia and satellite locations in Williamson, Lewisburg, Clifton and Lawrence counties.

Consultant Lily Barros of the Sizemore Group said the college served an estimated headcount of about 5,700 in 2024 (about 2,772 FTE) and is planning for a future headcount near 6,900 as enrollment grows. Barros said the team disaggregated on‑campus students from online and dual‑enrollment students when modeling campus space needs, noting that many workforce programs require hands‑on lab space.

Primary near‑term capital priorities in the presentation included replacement of the WARF/‘‘wharf’’ building (described as two elements, one for sciences and one for business and technology) and a self‑funded admissions and enrollment building intended to improve campus frontage, recruitment and retention. Presenters also highlighted that Columbia’s main campus includes a number of aging buildings — the campus is celebrating its 60th anniversary — and will need renovations and renewal in coming years.

Commissioners asked about the demographic and market assumptions underlying the enrollment projections, and President Smith and the consultant said they modeled local population, age cohorts and income trends, and accounted separately for online enrollment. Commissioners also pressed for details about the Lawrence County campus transfer history; Smith explained the building was originally constructed with community and county funds, has hosted partner university programs, and that Columbia State had been asked by the community to assume administrative responsibility and explore purchase options.

After questions, the committee moved and voted to recommend the master plan to the full commission; the clerk recorded six ayes. The commission will consider the committee’s recommendation at a future meeting.