Roane State Recognized for Entrepreneurship Training

Adult learners interested in starting a business can now compare Roane State's business ownership certificate and incubator resources.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Adult Education

Roane State Recognized for Entrepreneurship Training

Roane State Community College was named a 2026 Entrepreneurial College of the Year by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), sharing the honor with Houston Community College and Seminole State College. The co-winners were announced November 3 at NACCE's 2026 Annual Conference in Boston, and the college was also named one of 200 colleges eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

Why it matters

For Tennessee students and adult learners, the recognition signals that Roane State's business and entrepreneurship programs are built for people who want to start or run their own ventures, not only for those headed to traditional corporate jobs. It also points to low-barrier paths such as short certificates and incubator resources that can be explored alongside a degree.

Roane State shares the 2026 honor with Houston Community College and Seminole State College, and the college provided more than 100,000 hours of continuing education in 2025. The Aspen Institute has placed Roane State among 200 colleges eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

The players

Roane State Community College

A public community college in East Tennessee serving the Cumberland County area, offering associate degrees, certificates, and workforce and continuing education.

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)

A national association that recognizes community colleges for their entrepreneurship programs and hosts an annual conference.

Aspen Institute

A nonprofit policy organization that administers the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

The details

NACCE, a national association focused on entrepreneurship at community colleges, selected the co-winners and announced them at its 2026 Annual Conference in Boston. Roane State's associate degree programs in business administration and management are designed with entrepreneurs in mind, and the college also offers a certificate in business ownership that can be pursued as a shorter, focused credential. Students can connect with the Cumberland Business Incubator in Cumberland County, which offers coaching, mentoring, marketing help, access to capital, office and co-working space, and resources for testing new concepts. Free, confidential consulting is also available through the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

November 3, 2026: NACCE announced the co-winners at its Annual Conference in Boston.
2025: Roane State provided more than 100,000 hours of continuing education.

Education Landscape

Community colleges have increasingly positioned workforce and entrepreneurship training as a route to employment for adult learners who may not pursue a four-year degree. Recognition from national bodies such as NACCE and the Aspen Institute offers prospective students one way to compare programs beyond local reputation.

If you are an adult learner interested in starting a business, Roane State's associate programs in business administration and management and its certificate in business ownership may fit your goals, so compare course requirements and schedules on the college's site. Ask the college's admissions or workforce office which incubator and small-business counseling resources are available to students before you enroll.

The takeaway

Recognition from national groups can help you compare community college entrepreneurship programs, but the details that matter most are the specific courses and resources each school offers. Before enrolling, confirm the program requirements and available incubator or counseling support with the college directly.