ETSU seeks $145.5 million in state funding for engineering, medical expansions

East Tennessee State University is pursuing major expansions of its engineering and medical programs, including a proposed $151 million engineering building and $6.5 million investment in Quillen College of Medicine, to address growing workforce demands across the region. University officials outlined the proposals Friday during the ETSU Board of Trustees' final meeting of the year. ETSU President Brian Noland said the university has requested $6.5 million in state funding to expand Quillen's programs in pathology, neurology, urology and anesthesiology, with a long-term goal of increasing medical school enrollment from 100 to 125 students. The proposal would fund 15 additional faculty positions across the four specialties, supporting clinical care, medical education and the development of residency programs. "For those of you who have tried to find a neurologist or for those of you who have tried to find a urologist, there's a gap in the region," Noland said. "Working in conjunction with Ballad [Health], the path that we're taking to the state is, rather than recruit, to grow your own — to build faculty, to build residencies and to build this out." Noland said the Tennessee Higher Education Commission voted Thursday to advance the proposal to the governor as one of its funding priorities. Engineering expansion was another focus of Friday's meeting, with trustee Janet Ayers, chair of the Academic, Research and Student Success Committee, outlining plans to introduce new degree programs and expand facilities. "ETSU is strategically positioned to expand its engineering programs to meet growing workforce demands and support regional economic development," Ayers said. Enrollment in ETSU's joint engineering program with Tennessee Tech University has grown from 24 students in fall 2018 to 91 in fall 2026, an increase of nearly 280%. The university's mechatronics engineering program has also grown from seven students in fall 2024 to 34 this fall, according to committee documents. In addition, a 2024 workforce analysis by Hanover Research identified significant projected demand for engineering professionals in Tennessee, particularly in industrial, mechanical and civil engineering, according to committee documents. To meet demand, ETSU is exploring new programs in biological engineering and construction engineering as early as fall 2027, pending approvals and funding. Civil and mechanical engineering programs could follow within three to five years, according to Ayers. Committee documents noted the university has already committed approximately $2.4 million toward engineering equipment and laboratory renovations. The university is also seeking state support for a new engineering building, with an estimated project cost of $151 million, including $139 million in requested state funding and $12 million in matching funds. Noland said the building proposal, along with electrical infrastructure upgrades and deferred maintenance requests, will be considered during upcoming state legislative sessions.