August Breakfast Meeting: Dr. Marylou Apple on The Unbreakable Link Between Education and A Healthy Economy

The Unbreakable Link Between Education
and A Healthy Economy



Dr. MaryLou Apple,
President, Motlow State Community College

On July 1, 2006, Dr. MaryLou Apple became the fifth president of
Motlow State Community College (MSCC).  Since that time, MSCC has moved aggressively forward to meet the needs of a growing population seeking higher education throughout an eleven-county region. 

Dr. Apple holds a B.S. and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of  Tennessee, Knoxville;  an Ed.S. in Educational Administration and Supervision, from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN;  and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. 

MSCC has accomplished significant goals during her tenure, including launching an international studies program; introducing the Adult College Express (ACE) for adult learners;  initiating the Presidential Student Leadership Institute;  receiving reaffirmation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;  opening a new library;  and expanding the Nursing Program to the Smyrna Campus.   

During her tenure, Motlow State Community College has received recognition in the following areas:

• One of the fastest growing community colleges in the nation by Community College Week
  by Associate of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Among the top 50 community college education programs in the nation by Community College Week
• Excellence in Business Ovation Award by the Cumberland Business Journal for the addition of the Mechatronics program
• Graduated the largest class of Dual/Joint Enrollment Students  with eight seniors from Lincoln County High School and one home school student receiving associate degrees prior to high school graduation
• Celebrated the opening of Crouch Center, a state-of- the-art facility that houses a one-stop administrative student service center
• Entered into a partnership with MTSU and Bedford County to form the Middle Tennessee Education Center (MTEC)
• Received approval of the allocation of $7.6 million toward the completion of a 35,000 square foot building for the Smyrna Center

Dr. Apple is married to Jim, a retired Colonel of the United States Air Force. She has two daughters, two sons, and four grandchildren.