Roane State Community College earning national honors as the 2026 Entrepreneurial College of the Year.
The recognition highlights the work of the Cumberland Business Incubator in Crossville, which helps residents turn business concepts into active companies. Roane State President Chris Whaley said the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship recognized the college.
“Folks who aren’t expected to know necessarily about business licenses and taxation and business plans and venture capital and things of that nature can get those questions answered, can get their businesses’ strategic plan in place,” Whaley said.
The incubator at the college’s Cumberland County campus partners with local governments and the chamber of commerce to support entrepreneurs. Whaley said the facility provides space for businesses that have outgrown home offices or garages, along with access to mentors who can help owners navigate the challenges of expansion.
“Lots of folks have a dream that they feel like is out of reach, but when they sit down with someone who has expertise in seeing dreams become real businesses, then folks find out that there truly is often a pathway from that dream to get it to reality,” Whaley said.
The incubator typically has room for additional businesses, and residents can receive advice from staff without becoming tenants. Whaley said the facility also features a makerspace with 3D printers, laser engravers and other equipment that entrepreneurs might not otherwise be able to access.
Roane State’s small business ownership certificate offers students an academic pathway toward entrepreneurship. Whaley said the program helps students who ultimately want to become their own bosses develop the knowledge needed to launch a business.
The college shared the national award with Houston Community College and Seminole State College.
Whaley said Crosslink Composites and Statheros are two examples of regional entrepreneurs whose businesses have benefited from Roane State’s entrepreneurship resources and partnerships.
Harriman-based Crosslink Composites develops low-cost carbon fiber technology for automotive, wind energy and infrastructure applications, while Knoxville-based Statheros develops advanced software, data analytics and automation systems for the defense industry.