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MTSU asks for $25 million supplemental for quantum initiative and details workforce partnerships
Summary
Middle Tennessee State University asked the Senate Education Committee for a $25 million supplemental to expand its QRISE quantum center and partner with Oak Ridge National Lab and regional schools; MTSU also highlighted deferred maintenance and a planned 550‑bed residence hall.
Sydney McPhee, president of Middle Tennessee State University, told the Senate Education Committee that MTSU seeks $25,000,000 in supplemental funding to expand a quantum research and interdisciplinary science center, create a regional hub in partnership with the Middle Tennessee Electric Co‑op, and scale teacher training and K‑12 pathways into quantum careers.
"As a supplemental budget request, we are asking for $25,000,000 to enhance the existing efforts we have underway on our campus," McPhee said, emphasizing collaboration with Oak Ridge National Lab and local school districts to build pipelines for quantum‑science jobs. She also described a deferred‑maintenance backlog (MTSU cited more than $200,000,000 earlier in testimony) and proposed a 550‑bed residence hall via a public‑private partnership with completion targeted in summer 2027. The committee advanced MTSU's budget referral to finance with a positive recommendation.
