By Elizabeth Black, Communications Director, Montgomery County Government
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Gov. Bill Haslam’s vision to provide a tuition-free opportunity for every Tennessee student to earn a college credential is now a reality beginning with students graduating high school from the Class of 2015.
In Montgomery County, Mayor Bowers has designated tnAchieves to serve as the local partnering organization to help organize and support Tennessee Promise here. Tennessee Promise offers two years of tuition-free community or technical college to Tennessee high school graduates beginning with the Class of 2015.
“Tennessee Promise and its impact on our students, families and communities can be a real game-changer, as we prepare more of our students for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Mayor Bowers. “I strongly encourage all of our high school seniors and their families to talk with their guidance counselors about the Tennessee Promise, and I hope all Montgomery County residents who want to make a real, positive impact on the lives of these students and the future of our local economy to sign up as volunteer mentors. By working together, we can be a model for Tennessee and the nation.”
Per statute, Tennessee Promise students must work with a partnering organization in order to access the financial assistance. Montgomery County students will work with tnAchieves, a non-profit organization committed to increasing the number of students with a post-secondary degree within a community.
“tnAchieves is excited to partner with local leaders in Montgomery County and Gov. Haslam’s Tennessee Promise to create a more qualified workforce in the community and also provide students with a promise for a brighter future,” said Randy Boyd, tnAchieves Chairman.
Coupled with the Tennessee Promise scholarship, every student will be paired with a mentor to support the student through admission and financial aid paperwork, motivate the student to meet deadlines, and perhaps most importantly, encourage the student to reach his/her potential.
tnAchieves is currently recruiting 185 volunteer mentors in Montgomery County. Mentors spend approximately one hour monthly working with high school seniors to ensure they make a smooth transition from high school to college. tnAchieves will train all mentor applicants, provide them with a mentor handbook, and communicate with them throughout their experience with the program. To apply, visit www.tnachieves.org/mentor-application.