This December, Chattanooga State Community College celebrated the accomplishments of 550 graduates across academic and technical programs who pursued a range of pathways, from university transfer and workforce-ready degrees to hands-on technical training.

Among the 389 graduates who earned degrees, students ranged in age from 15 to 63, with an average age of 29, underscoring the college’s role in serving learners at every stage of life. Following graduation, 45% of credit graduates plan to transfer to a four-year university, while 55% will enter the workforce directly, strengthening the region’s economy and talent pipeline.

Nearly 40% of credit graduates are first-generation college students, marking a significant milestone not only for themselves but also for their families. The graduating class also included 17 veterans, as well as students from Vietnam, Tonga, Mexico, Iraq, and Guatemala.

The College also celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of Tiger Access students, which allows students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to earn a certificate of completion. This fall, four Tiger Access students crossed the stage.

Programs represented in the Fall 2025 graduating class include:

• Barbering
• Radiation Technician
• Cosmetology
• Business
• Truck Driving
• Engineering
• Building Construction
• Nursing RN
• HVAC
• Residential/Commercial Electricity
• Industrial Automation & Robotics
• Welding

Student Keychemyra McFarland was one of two history-making women, who became the first to graduate from the Building Construction Technology program. During the ceremony, she delivered remarks, reminding her classmates of their bright futures as graduates.

“Together, we have learned that success looks magnificent on us,” she said. “We have discovered the strength in knowing who we are, what we are capable of, and what more we can do with our credentials. Here at ChattState, we are builders of the future, creators of opportunity, and examples of resilience.

Fall 2025 graduates leave Chattanooga State prepared to continue their education, launch careers, and contribute meaningfully to their communities, carrying forward stories of access, opportunity, and success.