Roane State Community College

July 24, 2026

A former Roane State employee, current Roane State Foundation board member, and longtime supporter of the community college recently made a generous donation to help students at the new Knox Regional Health Science Education Center.

Joy Goldberg has more than two decades of service to Roane State Foundation as a member of its board of directors. During this time, she has helped hundreds of students access the scholarship funds needed to complete their degrees.

Goldberg (pictured with campus director Kirk Harris) was also employed by Roane State in several roles, along with her late husband, Dr. Paul Goldberg, who started working at the college at its inception in 1971.

Joy ultimately retired as assistant vice president of enrollment management. She continues to assist students in a variety of ways, both behind the scenes and directly, through her volunteerism and philanthropic efforts.

“Joy is someone who has embodied the Roane State mission, from her dedicated service to her generosity and commitment to student success,” said Scott Niermann, executive director of Roane State Foundation. “She has given time to nearly every fundraising event and continues to be there for us, most recently with this pledge to support health science students in need.”

Goldberg has already been honored by the college and the Tennessee Board of Regents for her legacy of giving and staunch support of Roane State. In 2024, she was selected to receive the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy.

“Whether in the classroom, working in financial aid, or serving on the Foundation Board of Directors, I have seen and heard student stories and how they struggled to stay in school to improve their lives,” Goldberg explained. “Our family always said that when we were able, we would designate funds to help students succeed and encourage professional development of staff and faculty. I am pleased that I can now reach that goal which was so important to our family. RSCC gave so much to us, it is only fitting to give back.”

Goldberg’s latest donation will help secure the futures of healthcare professionals who are learning at the college’s newest campus – the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center.

The 130,000-square-foot facility is located at 9575 Sherrill Boulevard, across from Parkwest Medical Center, and houses health science programs offered by Roane State and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville. It is also home to Roane State’s flagship simulation center, a state-of-the-art facility that is fully integrated with the campus.

The first Roane State classes in the new location include nursing, EMS, and medical laboratory technology. Polysomnography and respiratory therapy courses will be offered soon along with Roane State’s continuing education courses that assist healthcare professionals with maintaining professional licensure. Roane State is also planning to launch diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound), echocardiography, and neurodiagnostic technology programs.

The State of Tennessee contributed more than $67.5 million toward this $75 million project. Roane State Foundation has raised more than $5.5 million of the additional $7.5 million needed to equip the campus and sustain operations. With the campus now open, the campaign has shifted focus to raising funds for scholarships.

“As our fundraising campaign continues, we welcome the support of citizens like Joy Goldberg and so many others who value a healthy, thriving community,” Niermann added.

For more information on the new campus, the fundraising campaign for student scholarships, and the expanded programs that will be offered, visit thrive.roanestate.edu.