NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 8, 2017) – The League for Innovation in the Community College has announced Nashville State Community College as one of twelve community colleges chosen to receive funding for the Retail Management certificate credentialing program. Of the twelve schools selected, Nashville State is the only institution located in Tennessee. The program, for incumbent and future retail industry employees, applies to all sectors of the retail industry.

In announcing the League’s support, Dr. George Van Allen, President of Nashville State, said “Offering this innovative Retail Management certificate program will expand the capacity of Nashville State to enhance the management skills and career advancement opportunities for entry and mid-level workers in various retail sectors in Middle Tennessee.”

Kroger Company’s Tennessee Division is the first retail employer to embrace the program. Charley Grant, a Skills Development Specialist at Kroger, put it this way: “As we move forward, we have to make sure we have an incumbent and onboarding workforce with the critical thinking skills to manage the advanced technologies and customer service requirements demanded by the marketplace. Nashville State’s Retail Management certificate program will be a key component in helping us develop this new manager.”

To assist students in furthering their education, Karen Stevenson, Dean of the Business and Applied Arts Division at Nashville State, noted that “all the courses in the Retail Management certificate can be applied to the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing and Retailing.”

Bill Carter, Retail Management certificate Program Director, will be working with major retail-sector employers to implement the certificate within their management training programs. According to Carter, “As the industry becomes more complex with changing buyer behaviors and new technologies, retailing will require higher level management skills and competencies. The Retail Management certificate program will provide retail employers with a cost-effective higher education component for training these next-generation managers.”

The League and the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) who developed the eight-course curriculum, has worked closely with Nashville State to expand the success of the Retail Management certificate program currently offered at over 150 community colleges in 13 western states. Nashville State has received a grant to launch the program and additional funding for employer tuition aid.

For more information about the Retail Management certificate, please email rmc@nscc.edu or contact Bill Carter, Program Director at 615-353-3400.

The League for Innovation in the Community College is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate innovation in the community college environment. The League hosts conferences and institutes, develops print and digital resources, and leads projects and initiatives with almost 500 member colleges, 100 corporate partners, and a host of other government and nonprofit agencies in a continuing effort to advance the community college field and make a positive difference for students and communities. Information about the League and its activities is available at www.league.org.

Nashville State Community College (NSCC) is one of 13 community college within the Tennessee Board of Regents system. Its mission is to provide comprehensive educational programs and partnerships, exemplary services, an accessible, progressive learning environment, and responsible leadership to improve the quality of life for the community it serves.

Through its mission, Nashville State offers over 80 programs to prepare students with associate degrees and certificates that prepare students to think and perform well whether entering the workforce or transferring to a university upon graduation. Our staff and faculty care about our students and we will help you reach your academic and personal goals. The college serves a broad geographic area comprised of Davidson, Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, and Stewart Counties.

Nashville State Community College is a TBR institution and complies with nondiscrimination laws: Title VI, Title IX-Section 504, and the ADA. More information about Nashville State Community College is available at www.nscc.edu.

For more information, contact:
Lauren Bell, Executive Director
Nashville State Community College Foundation and Public Affairs
120 White Bridge Pike ~ Nashville, TN 37209
Office: 615-353-3743
Email: Lauren.Bell@nscc.edu

Download News Release - Retail Management