With college tuition on the rise and local industry clamoring for an enhanced workforce, a new program called KnoxAchieves that is designed to meet those challenges was launched this morning at Fulton High School. KnoxAchieves is a privately-funded, college-tuition-assistance program for 2009 graduates of Knox County’s public high schools. The program will provide up to $2,000 annually in tuition assistance for students to attend either Pellissippi, Roane or Walters State Community College. Knox Achieves provides the last dollar for community college tuition after both federal and state financial aid have been awarded
Local mayor Mike Ragsdale and Bill Haslam have been major forces behind the program. According to Ragsdale, “KnoxAchieves has all of the pieces we need to move education and workforce development to the next level – the opportunity for more of our students to get college training, volunteers supporting our students, and the students giving back to the community.”
Haslam underscored the value of the program, saying “Providing our citizens with an opportunity to obtain a college degree or enhance their skills not only changes their lives but makes our community a better place for all of us. Increased educational attainment is essential to our continued economic success.”
Many graduating seniors in Knox County schools will be first generation college goers. Their families will have limited, if any, familiarity with the steps necessary to apply for college. KnoxAchieves is recruiting volunteer mentors who will work closely with the students.
Individuals who volunteer to be mentors will be assigned to a team that supports one of the 14 County high schools. Mentors will undergo background checks and then be trained to help students with the paperwork, the processes, and the deadlines to ensure that students qualify for appropriate financial aid and meet the community college deadlines for admission. Beginning in January, each mentor will work with a small group of three to five students. They will ensure that each successfully meets the critical milestones, including taking the ACT and completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
All students who receive tuition assistance from KnoxAchieves will be required to complete one community service project each semester. That could be through one of the service opportunities provided through the program, or through an approved opportunity in the student’s church or other volunteer organization.
The Board of Directors has been raising private sector dollars, which will fund the scholarships. The Board includes mayors Bill Haslam and Mike Ragsdale, along with Randy Boyd, CEO of Radio Systems Corporation; Rich Ray, CFO and Tim Williams, CEO of 21st Mortgage Corporation; and Chris Woodhull, Knoxville City Councilman and Executive Director of TRIBE ONE.
Randy Boyd, who has chaired the fundraising effort, noted “We cannot afford to fail this test. A community’s success in the future is solely dependent on the knowledge of its populace.
Governor Phil Bredesen has endorsed the program, saying “This is a powerful economic and workforce development tool and any thoughtful program or policy that pushes for greater access to our community college system has my encouragement and support.”
In addition, both the Executive Director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Rich Rhoda, and the Chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents, Charles Manning, strongly support the program. According to Rhoda, “Providing more and better access (through free tuition and fees) to community colleges for every local high school graduate has the potential of transforming a community and sustaining a vibrant and growing economy.”
Chancellor Manning echoed that support, “Free community college is a powerful economic and workforce development tool that can make a real difference in Tennessee’s future. I wholeheartedly endorse this initiative and will do everything possible within the Tennessee Board of Regents system to make this program a success.”
Statistics show that of every 100 high school freshman in Tennessee today, 63 will graduate from high school, but only 17 will graduate from college. A 2002 U.S. Census Bureau study found that those earning an associates degree stand to make $400,000 more over a lifetime than those who have only a high school diploma. For those earning a bachelors degree, lifetime earnings increase another $500,000.
More information is available from the KnoxAchieves website.
