Pellissippi State Community College sent 189 students on short-term study abroad trips this past year, placing the college second in the nation among community colleges for the number of students who choose to study abroad, as did these students in London, England.

KNOXVILLE — Pellissippi State Community College ranks second among all community colleges in the country for the number of students it sends to study abroad short term.

According to the 2015 Open Doors Report, published by the Institute of International Education and released Nov. 16, Pellissippi State had 189 students study abroad in the 2013-2014 academic year. That puts the college at No. 2 in the nation among community colleges for students who choose to study abroad.

"The emphasis on international education and international experiences for our students is an important one," said L. Anthony Wise Jr., Pellissippi State's president. "The reality is, we need to be able to give our students a world-class education. They'll be competing against people from around the world for jobs, and they're also likely to be working for international companies right here in East Tennessee."

At Pellissippi State, study abroad programs are organized through the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies, which is housed at the college.

"Studying abroad now, more than ever, is being recognized as a high-impact practice for college students," said Tracey Bradley, executive director of TnCIS. "The good news is that in Tennessee the opportunity to study abroad isn't reserved for students at four-year universities. Pellissippi State is doing a fantastic job of ensuring that its students have the opportunity to study abroad."

TnCIS serves all colleges in the Tennessee Board of Regents system. The consortium provides study abroad opportunities as part of its mission of boosting international experience and culture in higher education across Tennessee. In the eight years since its founding, TnCIS has supported 2,656 students statewide in pursuing a global education. Image: Pellissippi State Community College sent 189 students on short-term study abroad trips this past year, placing the college second in the nation among community colleges for the number of students who choose to study abroad, as did these students in London, England.

Published November 21, 2015