The Event Also Provided an Opportunity For Students to Learn More About Life at Tech
(UCBJ) – Nearly 2,000 students from 23 high schools across the region recently descended on Tennessee Tech University’s campus for the Upper Cumberland College Fair, an annual event designed to connect prospective college students with higher education opportunities from across Tennessee and beyond.
Due to the continued growth of the event, this year’s college fair moved to Tech’s Hooper Eblen Center to accommodate the larger crowd. Students met with representatives from more than 45 higher education institutions, including universities from as far away as Texas and Ohio, as well as 15 Tennessee Tech campus departments and offices.
Tech has hosted the annual event for 35 years, showcasing the university’s hospitality and academic programs while welcoming representatives from other institutions – all in the name of ensuring Upper Cumberland high school students have every available opportunity to pursue postsecondary education.
“We’re excited to see the Upper Cumberland College Fair continue to grow and provide more opportunities for students to explore their options after high school,” said Jacob Cutshall, director of admissions at Tech. “Bringing so many colleges and universities together in one place allows students to ask questions, make connections and begin thinking about what their next steps might look like. And of course, we hope that many of those in attendance will consider a future as Golden Eagles!”
The event also provided an opportunity for students to learn more about life at Tech, including academic programs, campus resources, student organizations and the admissions process.
As in previous years, the event welcomed participation from the Upper Cumberland region’s growing homeschooling community. Tech has earned the “homeschooling-friendly certification” seal for the last four years from Homeschooling Parent magazine.
“We’ve made a concerted effort to strengthen our connections with students throughout the Upper Cumberland, including students who are homeschooled,” said Peyton Land, assistant director of admissions at Tech. “We’re grateful for the continued support from our local schools and communities, and we look forward to building on the momentum of this year’s event.”
The event additionally gave Tech an opportunity to promote its upcoming free application month. Prospective undergraduate students in the U.S. can apply to Tech throughout the month of September and have the standard $25 application fee waived.
“We want to make the college-going process as accessible as possible for students,” said Cutshall. “Waiving the application fee gives prospective students one less barrier as they explore their options and take that next step toward college.”
High school students who could not attend the Upper Cumberland College Fair – or who simply want a more personalized campus visit experience – are invited to contact Tech’s Office of Admissions about planning a VIP campus tour. Interested high school counselors and administrators can also contact the university to schedule group tours for up to 200 students at a time. Learn more at www.tntech.edu/visit or by calling 931-372-6104.
Tennessee Tech is Tennessee’s top-rated public university in Money.com’s latest “Best Colleges” rankings and is recognized as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report. The university offers more than 265 programs of study, and Tech graduates leave with the lowest student debt among Tennessee’s public universities.
Learn more and apply for admission today at www.tntech.edu/apply.
Photo provided.
Copyright 2026 The Upper Cumberland Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Other stories you may want to check out:
