Roane State Community College

^{_{Pictured L-R: LCUB CEO Shannon Littleton, LCUB Board Member Mike Arms, Roane State Foundation Executive Director Scott Niermann, RSF Board Chair Sean Hensley, Lenoir City Council Member Todd Kennedy, Lenoir City Mayor and LCUB Chairman Tony Aikens, Lenoir City Council Member Robin McNabb, LCUB COO and General Manager Leon Shields, Lenoir City Council Member and LCUB Board Member Jennifer Wampler, Lenoir City Council Member James Brandon, LCUB Board Member George Bove, Lenoir City Vice-Mayor Jim Shields, Lenoir City Council Member Eddie Simpson.}}

July 25, 2025

The City of Lenoir City and its utilities board, LCUB, have each pledged $30,000 to Roane State Foundation in support of the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center, a new Roane State campus currently under construction in the heart of West Knoxville.

The 130,000-square-foot facility is located across from Parkwest Medical Center on Sherrill Boulevard and will house health science programs for Roane State and TCAT Knoxville.

Roane State already operates the Knox County Center for Health Sciences, located on Hayfield Road in Knoxville. Once open, the new center on Sherrill Boulevard will expand capacity for health science courses and programs. This will allow both colleges to better serve the educational needs of Knox and surrounding counties, including communities like Lenoir City.

“We believe current and future generations of our community within this specific field of training will benefit for years to come,” Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens said. “As a result, this will provide more opportunities for patients in need of care, as well, in our area due to this extensive training.” Mayor Aikens also serves as chairman of the board for LCUB.

Current Roane State programs to be housed in the new center include nursing, EMS, polysomnography, and respiratory therapy, with the college planning to add new programs such as cardiovascular technology, healthcare administration, ultrasound, and public health.

Additionally, the center will feature a large multi-purpose simulation center aimed at immersing students in real-world scenarios that elevate their training.

“This joint pledge moves us closer to our goal of ensuring all students have access to an excellent health science education,” said Scott Niermann, executive director of Roane State Foundation. “We look forward to building on this strong partnership with Lenoir City and LCUB as we prepare to welcome the first students through the doors of this new campus.”

The total estimated dollar amount for the project is $75 million. Roane State needs at least $7.5 million in private philanthropy to complete the project and sustain funding for the students who will attend.

“As our fundraising campaign continues, we welcome the support of citizens across the region who value a healthy, thriving community,” Niermann added.

Roane State broke ground on the project in the summer of 2023 and plans to move into the facility this fall, with classes beginning in the spring semester of 2026. More information about getting involved with the fundraising effort can be found online at thrive.roanestate.edu.