For students who want to get started on a UTM degree in a location closer to home, the UTM Jackson Center “is a great place to get started,” said former Director Bethany Worley.
The oldest of the UTM satellite campuses, the Jackson Center began 21 years ago with a RN-BSN program, Worley said. Now, the center also offers degrees in Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice and Interdisciplinary Studies, with a degree in Psychology on the horizon. Numerous general education courses also are taught there, including math, biology and Spanish.
Part of the center’s appeal is that it caters to traditional as well as non-traditional students, and can help Jackson-area students save money on room and board, or on the costs of commuting, Worley said.
“We have students of all ages and ethnic backgrounds — 18-year-old students just beginning their college coursework and non-traditional students that work during the day, may have a family and take courses after work. We even have a student that drives from Memphis because she wants to live at home but get her UTM degree,” Worley said. “Additionally, we also have a student that has moved from Memphis to Jackson to begin her UTM degree.
“Our reputation, based on customer service and outstanding instruction, is our selling point,” Worley said.
The Jackson Center sits in view of a busy highway in a location where it can be easily found.
“It is unique in that it is located in an urban area with other universities,” Worley said.
“We are very customer-oriented and assist the students with any questions and problems that they encounter — we do not want them to have to go to Martin to solve an issue. We also have excellent full-time faculty, some of which advise students,” Worley said.
The Jackson Center also sponsored its first two art shows last fall: “Light Matters: Imagery of Kryza” by Phil Kreger, chief of Exhibits at the Tennessee State Museum, and “Epic American Paintings” by Garen Shrader of Somerville.
For Veterans Day, the center hosted retired Marine Lt. Gen. John G. Castellaw, a UTM graduate and Crockett County native.
For more information on the Jackson Center, go to www.utm.edu/jackson.
