Jackson State awarded Community College of the Year at statewide event

JACKSON, TENN. – Jackson State Community College (JSCC) has been named the Community College of the Year at the Annual Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) Awards in Nashville on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Each year, a single community and technical college is awarded “College of the Year,” an award that is hand-selected by TBR Chancellor Dr. Flora Tydings and revealed at the end of each SOAR Awards. Jackson State was a finalist among Nashville State, Northeast State, and Volunteer State for the award, and ultimately announced as the winner.

“We did it!” exclaimed JSCC President Dr. Carol Rothstein. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication from our team and wouldn’t be a reality if it weren’t for them. We have some of the best people here at Jackson State, and I’m so incredibly proud of them. Earning this recognition reinforces all that we have been doing the past few years to make Jackson State an educational pillar for West Tennessee.”

This award comes after more than two years of record-setting enrollment growth that has consistently led the state and even surpassed enrollment increases of public four-year universities in Tennessee.

Dr. Rothstein was installed as President in the fall of 2023 and has focused diligently on the college’s relationships, resources, and reputation to drive the college’s success. Following cross-campus restructuring, the college has seen record enrollment growth, doubled the amount of athletic program offerings, expanded the college’s Middle College, reinforced employee professional development, and promoted talent from within into leadership roles.

During the awards ceremony, Associate Professor of Biology Jason Keeton was also awarded the Outstanding Advisor of the Year, a distinct honor given to a single advisor across the entire TBR system.

JSCC Criminal Justice Associate Professor Karen Perrin was also recognized as a finalist for the Outstanding Faculty award. Perrin was selected to represent Jackson State and through a series of interviews, was selected to represent the entire Western Region at the awards.

About the SOAR Awards

The SOAR Awards are hosted annually and given to a single student, faculty, and staff member from higher education institutions across Tennessee. Each year, institutions submit letters of recommendations for those that they feel best represent their respective institution to compete at the regional level. Following interviews at the regional level, selections are made for finalists to compete for the award in Nashville.

For more information on the 2026 SOAR Awards, visit www.tbr.edu/external-affairs/soar

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