CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Volunteers statewide are being recruited to serve as mentors to TN Promise students. The statewide organization, tnAchieves, is seeking 9,000 volunteers to assist TN Promise recipients from the Class of 2020.
The TN Promise Scholarship allows any graduating high school senior to attend a community or technical college tuition free. Nearly 64,000 students received the scholarship in 2019, and even more are expected to apply in 2020.
Launched in 2008, tnAchieves is a privately-funded scholarship and mentoring program that operates in 91 counties statewide. They seek to provide every Tennessee student with the opportunity to earn a post-secondary degree.
Many TN Promise recipients are first-generation college students, and often require additional support to succeed in secondary education. The program provides each student with a volunteer mentor who will help them work towards earning their college credential.
“Tennessee Promise provides opportunity for every student in Tennessee,” said Krissy DeAlejandro, Executive Director at tnAchieves. “[Our] mentors are helping change the culture in our state. Mentors are shifting the conversation from, ‘should I go to college?’ to ‘where am I going to go to college?’”
Mentors are asked to give one hour of their time each month. The impact can be life changing for students. Volunteers are provided with a one-hour training session, a handbook, and weekly communication to ensure they are fully equipped to serve the students.
“We know the financial component of TN Promise is critical for many of our students attempting to access higher education,” said Graham Thomas, Deputy Director of Outreach. “We also know that even when the financial barrier is removed, successfully navigating the college process can be extremely difficult. A few reminders and simple words of encouragement can be a game changer for our students. The volunteer mentors are the reason TN Promise is working.”
For information on tnAchieves, contact Graham Thomas at 615.604.1306 or graham@tnachieves.org. To learn more about becoming a mentor, visit https://tnachieves.org/mentors/apply/.