What One Student's Story Tells Us About Walters State

By President Dr. Saul Reyes

When Lindsay Buffington arrived at Walters State, she was convinced she couldn't do math. A medical condition had made the subject difficult throughout her life, and the thought of taking college statistics was overwhelming.

But Lindsay found people who believed in her. With encouragement from her professor, tutors, counselors and Disability Services staff, she began to believe in herself, too. She learned to add two words whenever she thought she couldn't do something: "right now."

"I'm not good at this right now."

Lindsay worked hard, sought help and ultimately earned a B in statistics. She had initially hoped just to pass.

I share Lindsay's story because it captures what Walters State is all about. We meet students where they are, help them discover what they're capable of and give them the tools to succeed. Lindsay did the hard work, but she didn't have to do it alone.

Watch This Video Featuring Lindsay

That mission is reflected in the work we've done over the past year. I'm particularly proud of several accomplishments:

Workforce training: Walters State delivered 276,838 hours of non-credit workforce training, leading all 13 of Tennessee's community colleges.

Dual enrollment: More than 2,300 high school students earned college credit through Walters State, achieving a remarkable 92% success rate.

Graduate success: Five years after graduation, 83% of our graduates are employed in Tennessee, tying us for the highest rate among the state's community colleges.

Student support: Our students received more than $24 million in financial aid. The Walters State Foundation also awarded more than $667,000 in scholarships to 591 students, helping make a college education possible for more families.

These numbers represent real opportunities for people across East Tennessee. They also reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff, the generosity of our donors and the partnerships we've built throughout the communities we serve.

Looking ahead, our new strategic plan, Designing a Better Future, will guide our work through 2030. Its priorities of access, student success, quality and stewardship reflect a commitment to serving our students and our region even more effectively.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to Walters State's success this past year, including our students, employees, alumni, trustees, donors and community partners. Each of you plays an important role in the work we do.

And I hope you'll keep Lindsay's story in mind. Behind every accomplishment is a person with goals, challenges and potential. Helping those individuals write their own success stories is why we're here.