On June 1, Walters State will begin the next phase of the college’s re-opening plan with student services offices opening at all campuses by appointment only. Services that will be available by appointment at the Morristown Campus include the following:

• Admissions423.585.2685admissions@ws.edu
• Cashier's Office423.585.2616cashieroffice@ws.edu
• Financial Aid423.585.6811finaid@ws.edu
• Student Success Advising Center423.318.2337studentsuccess@ws.edu
• Counseling423.585.6800vicky.marshall@ws.edu
• Tutoring423.585.6920tutoring@ws.edu
• Veteran Services423.585.6896jason.wilder@ws.edu
• Disability Services423.585.2680amy.jackson@ws.edu
• Dual Enrollment423.585.2687brian.odell@ws.edu kayla.huber@ws.edu
• Workforce Training423.585.2675
• Bookstore423.585.6884
• General Information423.585.2600

To make an appointment for student services at one of Walters State’s other campus sites, call or email the campus directly:

• Claiborne County Campus423.851.4761jammie.mullins@ws.edu
• Niswonger Campus423.798.7957niswongercampus@ws.edu
• Sevier County Campus865.774.5811leann.alderman@ws.edu

Individuals who make an appointment to visit a campus will be required to complete a coronavirus screening and wear a mask while on campus. Social distancing of at least six feet apart and no more than 10 individuals per room will be maintained.

All of the college’s services remain available online, as they have been since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

For the safety and health of its students, employees and the community, Walters State has implemented a phased-in approach to reopening its campuses. The first phase included the return of employees to each of its campuses on May 11. To maintain social distancing and limit the number of individuals on campus, employees are working staggered schedules. The second phase for re-opening includes student services offices opening on June 1 by appointment only. The college has established a re-opening task force that is planning for the next phases of the reopening process.

Registration is under way for the June and July summer semester sessions as well as for fall semester. Classes will be offered in a variety of formats to accommodate student needs.

After much consideration and based on student feedback, the college has decided to reschedule commencement exercises for July 29 and 30, 2020. Graduation was originally scheduled for May 9. Health programs graduates will participate in the July 29 ceremony and all other graduates will take part in one on July 30. Both ceremonies will be held at the Morristown campus.

These dates are subject to change based on the coronavirus situation and the status of restrictions on large public gatherings at the end of July. If the college is unable to hold commencement on July 29 and 30, spring 2020 graduates will be invited to participate in the college’s December 2020 graduation ceremony.

While our official celebratory ceremony has been rescheduled for the end of July, degrees and certificates will be available for pickup in June.

Also, the college is planning cap-and-gown pickup days in May at each of our campuses. More specific information about the cap-and-gown pickup will be provided soon.

While we are disappointed that we had to reschedule our commencement, I want to assure each graduate that we are committed to honoring this tremendous milestone in your life with a ceremony that you, your fellow classmates and families can celebrate together.

Based on the latest state and federal guidelines regarding the coronavirus situation, and as part of our effort to keep our students, employees and community safe and healthy, Walters State will not open facilities on April 6 as previously intended. However, the college will continue to hold instruction, student services and other college operations online for the duration of spring semester. Faculty and staff will continue to work remotely until further notice. Students should continue to check their eLEARN for course assignments and Senators Mail, the Walters State website and the college’s social media for further updates.

Dear Students,

We have almost made it through two full weeks of complete online instruction. I have had the opportunity to review and say “hi” to one of our classes online via Microsoft Teams. I have witnessed and heard about the great things you are doing and the efforts you are making to succeed in our online learning environment. Remember, our faculty are doing everything possible to make your online learning experience as enriching and rewarding as traditional  face-to-face classes.

In case you missed it, Dr. Angi Smith, our Vice President of Student Services, did a Facebook Live event yesterday in which she answered student questions, talked about support services available online, advising for summer and fall semester registration, and many other important topics. You can watch the recorded video on the College’s Facebook page.

For more information about our student support services, additional resources that may help you during this time, and the latest updates from the College on the situation, please continue to visit this Coronavirus Update page.

And remember, if you are having any difficulties, please contact your instructor or someone in Student Services. We are here to help.

I feel extremely privileged to be leading such an awesome college with the best students!!!

#WSFinishStrong

Dr. Tony Miksa
President

All Walters State instruction will remain online through the end of the spring 2020 semester. This means students will not be coming to campus for in-person classes for the rest of the semester but will continue instruction online. However, the college plans to re-open all campuses on a limited basis to students on April 6 and remain open thereafter. Campus hours starting on April 6 will be from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Following federal, state and local health department guidelines on social distancing, students will be able to visit computer and tutor labs. Instructors might also request a student to visit campus to demonstrate a skill or perform a lab experiment, for example. Our plan to re-open campuses effective April 6 on a limited basis could change depending on how the coronavirus situation evolves.

At this time, all campus events and activities are canceled for the rest of spring semester. Sadly, this includes athletic games, concerts, plays, and all other events. Degrees and certificates will be awarded at the completion of graduation requirements and a decision on when and how we hold commencement will be made soon.

Remember, we are all in this together and we are committed to helping you finish the semester strong.

Dear Students,

I hope by now you have been engaging with your instructors online. I know this is not what you expected at the start of the semester but, as you are well aware, we are going through a very challenging time in our country and around the world. We chose to transition to all online instruction for your safety and in an effort to minimize the disruption in your educational progress.

Please be assured that WSCC will do our very best to provide you with an excellent educational experience during this unprecedented time. I know that our faculty and staff all want you to succeed and are here to help you. 

Continue to check your eLEARN for information about course assignments and check Senators Mail and the college’s website for further updates.

Please know that I am thinking about each and every one of you. I look forward to seeing you reach your educational goals!!!!

Dr. Tony Miksa
President

In response to the evolving situation of the coronavirus and to protect our students, employees, and community, Walters State will transition all face-to-face classes to online instruction effective Monday, March 16, which follows the college’s spring break. All instruction will continue online March 16-22. This means all Walters State classes will continue online.

All Walters State campuses will be closed March 16-22. A decision on when to re-open the college and return to regularly scheduled face-to-face instruction will be made on Thursday, March 19.

Students should check eLEARN for information about course assignments and check Senators Mail and the college’s website for further updates.

All college events scheduled for the week of March 16-22 are cancelled. Events for this time period scheduled at the Walters State Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center are also cancelled.