Elizabethton Star – August 28, 2016
TN Achieves: Changing Lives, Transforming Communities – Carter County Update
As County Mayor, it is my responsibility to share information with you about resources that benefit and support our community. For those of you who may not already be aware, TN Achieves is the partnering organization to the TN Promise Scholarship in 84 of Tennessee’s 95 counties. The mission of TN Achieves is to increase higher education opportunities for Tennessee high school students by providing last-dollar scholarships with mentor guidance.
TN Achieves Executive Director, Krissy DeAlejandro reported that in only six years, TN Achieves has supported more than 10,000 students statewide into a community or technical college. With regard to Carter County, 154 students enrolled in 2015, with a “college going rate” of 66.3%, (up from 59.9% in 2014). According to Ms. DeAlejandro, “the mission of TN Achieves is to provide all Tennesseans with accessible and affordable post-secondary degree or credential opportunities that align with projected workforce demands.” Ms. DeAlejandro goes on to say that “Tennessee seeks to reach the students who are left to enter the workforce with only a high school diploma. Much like TN Achieves, Tennessee Promise ensures no student will be limited from the pursuit of a college degree because of socio-economic status, zip code or background.
Tennessee Promise provides last dollar community or technical college funding to every Tennessee high school student. Ultimately, Tennessee Promise eliminates the tuition and mandatory fee burden associated with post-secondary attainment for students directly following high school graduation.”
To learn more about TN Achieves, please check out their website at https://tnachieves.org/ . Ms. DeAlejandro and her staff can also be reached at telephone number 865-621-9223.
Please feel free to contact me at mayor@cartercountytn.gov or by phone at 423-542-1801 if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance to you. My office is located at 801 East Elk Avenue, Suite 201 located in the County Courthouse in Elizabethton. I have an open door policy and everyone is always welcome.
Leon Humphrey
Carter County Mayor
