Kyle Blassingame

Dental Hygiene Program Moves to Athens

Perhaps the biggest hurdle to climb was finding a new home for the dental hygiene program at Hiwassee. Due to the structured nature of the program, a semester off could provide major obstacles for the students to complete their degrees.

Randa Colbert (‘15), head of the dental hygiene program, along with Dr. Grant Willhite, TWU VP for Academic Affairs, spearheaded the process of re-accreditation and SACS approval of the program acquisition.

Fast forward several months, a few insurmountable mountains climbed, numerous hours from the academic team, and the dental hygiene program is fully accredited and was ready for their next big move.

The TWU Administration originally planned an approximately two-year process for transitioning the program to Athens. That process was expedited as space came available on the TWU campus, in the former McSpadden Furniture building on White Street.

“The newly renovated dental hygiene space will be a welcome sight for TWU dental hygiene faculty, staff and students when the doors open for the start of classes on January 13, 2020,” said Colbert prior to the move to Athens. “The facility is not only beautiful, but also highly functional as it houses the dental hygiene clinic and reception area, a classroom, a laboratory and faculty offices. We are excited our new location is contiguous to campus and look forward to becoming a part of the downtown Athens community.”

Special Thanks:

Holston Foundation: Their $100,000 gift was the largest public gift and largest ever for the foundation.

Mitch Miller: The driving force behind the renovation of the new dental hygiene space in Athens.

The Willson Family Fund and The Goodfriend Family Foundation gave significant gifts to help ensure the transition was possible financially.

Randa Colbert, Dr. Harley Knowles, Dr. Grant Willhite, Dr. Stephanie Smallen: The team that worked tirelessly to earn SACS acquisition approval and CODA re-accreditation, ensuring students had a place to continue their studies. TWU Board of Trustees: Their complete backing and significant financial contributions were instrumental in bringing Hiwassee College students, staff and programs to TWU.

TIMELINE OF March 28 Hiwassee College announces closing March 29 Dr. Harley Knowles releases statement of support to Hiwassee students and families April 11 TWU creates Hiwassee College-specific transfer policy, streamlining transfer process for HC students April 26 Dental hygiene acquisition presented to TWU Board of Trustees, who unanimously approve May 2 Hiwassee College board selects TWU to continue dental hygiene program May 3 TWU announces acquisition of dental hygiene program July 2 TWU notified of SACSCOC approval for acquisition of Hiwassee College dental hygiene program and instructional site August 19 First class of TWU dental hygiene students begin their studies October 21 Announcement of move from Madisonville to Athens in January 2020 October 30 Following site visit, CODA (dental accrediting body) reports no recommendations for program, indicating enthusiastic approval Events