IPS Opens New Training Space in Nashville

The UT Institute for Public Service (IPS) now has a new state-of-the-art training suite in Middle Tennessee. The IPS Training Center at Polk Center is located at 193 Polk Ave. in the same building as the IPS Center for Industrial Services and the UT Knoxville College of Social Work.

a waiting room area with a large digital display
The lobby area of the new IPS training suite

The suite has two large training rooms, which can be subdivided. It also features three breakout rooms, a conference room, a kitchen and a multi-purpose room.

dining tables and seating
Dining room in the new IPS space

IPS and its six agencies will use the facility for meetings and training sessions. The suite will be available for use by other UT entities and available to rent by other organizations.


UT Center for Industrial Services Certifies New Economic Developers

The UT Center for Industrial Services graduated the 13th class through its Tennessee Certified Economic Developer (TCED) Program. This cohort brings the total number of Tennessee certified economic developers to 77.

Graduation was held at the new IPS Training Center in Nashville. During the session, the graduates presented their capstone projects, the final requirement for certification. TCED candidates completed a week-long Basic Economic Development Course in addition to a series of six core courses pertinent to economic and community development. The TCED Program gives participants a broad-based knowledge of economic trends, tools and core components required to compete in today’s global economy.

The spring TCED graduates are:

  • Rosemary Bates, special projects director, Gallatin Economic Development Agency
  • Kalee Harryman, assistant director, Industrial Board of Coffee County
  • Richard Kirkland, commissioner, Monroe County
  • Jennifer Perryman, executive director, Savannah Industrial Development Corporation

Government Employees Earn Certified Public Manager Designation

Participants in the Tennessee Certified Public Manager (CPM) program, based in the IPS’ Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership, virtually graduated after the year-long program.

Twenty-five participants from local, state and federal government positions graduated as members of the program’s 2021 class. The Tennessee CPM program had cohorts in Knoxville, Nashville and Jackson.

The ceremony included an address from Deputy Gov. Lang Wiseman.

Participants in the yearlong program learn about current trends in public management by hearing from subject-matter experts with experience in the field.