Program Fair Brings Air Ambulance, Anesthesia Demonstrations and More
October 11, 2026

South College hosts a graduate program fair on Oct. 8, 2026, to introduce undergraduates and prospective students to the availability of advanced degree programs in Knoxville. Image by South College

KNOXVILLE - South College hosted an interactive graduate program fair on Oct. 8, offering undergraduates, prospective students, and the public a firsthand look at advanced degree programs and opportunities.

The fair at the Parkside Drive campus included hands-on demonstrations for a range of disciplines, including physical and occupational therapy, pharmacy compounding labs, and a simulated operating room for anesthesia induction. The event also featured special guests from Covenant Health Air ambulance landing on campus and a radio remote by WIVK, along with refreshments from food trucks and South College goodies.

“We want to help individuals explore their futures by connecting them with students and faculty and sharing practical information about available master’s and doctoral programs,” said Neil Heatherly, president of South College’s Knoxville campus. “We offer a broad range of advanced degrees and flexible ways to pursue them, whether that’s on campus, online, or at your own pace through Competency-Based Education.”

Air Ambulance flight personnel in low vision simulators. Image by South College

Attendees were able to participate in a low-vision simulation to understand better how Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) professionals help patients navigate everyday life, even with vision or mobility challenges. Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) faculty explained the role of pharmaceuticals in emergency medicine and demonstrated compounding techniques. Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) leaders guided groups through an operating room simulation of anesthesia induction.

The fair also included information about opportunities in Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Physician Assistant (PA), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), and advanced degree programs in Criminal Justice and Business.

Those in attendance were encouraged to take part in challenges and explore campus with tours of classrooms and modern simulation labs.

South College is equipped with advanced technology to offer students hands-on practice in patient care, from realistic hospital rooms and beds to high-fidelity manikins that appear to breathe, blink, and speak.

“We want to offer our students a safe opportunity to practice with equipment and techniques so that they can be prepared and confident in a real-world situation,” Heatherly said.

South College Knoxville offers advanced degrees in Education, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistant.

Graduate degrees are also offered through South College’s Competency-Based Education (CBE), an innovative approach that allows professionals to progress at their own pace online by demonstrating mastery of the curriculum. Online and hybrid programs are also available.

South College, advanced degrees, physical therapy, occupational therapy, anesthesia induction

South College hosted an interactive graduate program fair offering undergraduates, prospective students, and the public a firsthand look at advanced degree programs and opportunities.

South College has two Knoxville campuses with its Lonas campus at 3904 Lonas Drive and the Parkside campus at 400 Goodys Lane. For more information, contact the admissions team at 865-214-6020 or visit south.edu/knoxville.

South College offers more than 150 academic programs and concentrations at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and through Competency-Based Education (CBE).

To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.