This was a compilation of case studies in rural practices prepared for the Appalachian Regional Commission by Regional Technology Strategies of Carrboro, N.C.
This document was issued in conjunction with the ARC fall conference in October. CSCC was one of six schools from across the region that was chosen to have its Zero Energy Housing program highlighted.
CSCC is the only Zero Energy College in the Tennessee Valley.
“It is both exciting and humbling to receive this sort of notoriety,” stated Allan Gentry, assistant professor and technology department chair.
“We have been very successful and have learned many things that others can benefit from. Many schools are ahead of us in terms of all things green, but many, many more are behind us and wanting to see how they can integrate these programs into their programs, especially in the Appalachian region.”
Dr. Jerry Faulkner, vice president for academic affairs, said, “We are pleased to have been recognized in this ARC report. Cleveland State strives to be on the leading edge of new technologies and opportunities to improve the lives of citizens in our service area.”
Cleveland State’s program in energy efficient residential construction began in 2005 with a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for $861,840, one of 70 Community Based Job Training Grants.
The project that CSCC designed for the grant incorporated concepts of green building, energy efficiency, and sustainability into the existing construction technology curriculum, reached out to the local education community to raise awareness of energy-efficient construction, purchased equipment and technologies to support classroom learning, and offered continuing education to local contractors in the construction industry.
With the Department of Labor grant funds, the college created six courses in topics related to energy efficiency and alternative energy. The courses could be taken as part of the associate of applied sciences (A.A.S.) degree in construction technology, as a stand-alone certificate program called the zero energy home certificate, or on a one-off basis with students taking only classes interesting or relevant to them.
The six courses are Renewable Energy, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Design and Installation, Energy Efficient Residential Elements, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Home Energy Rating System, and Service-Learning. CSCC is also in the process of developing an articulation agreement with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) for a bachelor of science degree in construction management.
Faulkner said, “One of the lessons learned as revealed in this report is that the demand for “green skills” can be met through existing occupations. Our green construction program is a prime example of that lesson.”
For more information on Cleveland State Community College, call (423) 614-8734 or 1-800-604-CSCC, ext. 734 or visit the website at www.clevelandstatecc.edu. For more information on the Technology Department, call (423) 472-7141, ext. 439.
