By Kenya
Anderson
Motlow Buzz
Contributing Writer
SMYRNA, Tenn. -- Motlow
Smyrna’s faculty, administrators and staff are standing by to assist the more
than 1,300 Tennessee Promise students
who are expected to arrive next fall, according to Tennessee Promise Director Jonathan
Graham.
Tennessee Promise has
had a dramatic impact on Motlow’s enrollment since it was launched in 2015. The
total number of students at all four Motlow campuses has increased from 5,294
in 2015 to 6,913 in 2018.
The increase in new
Tennessee Promise students is evident to those who work on the Motlow Smyrna
campus. A third building is under construction, and the parking lot now extends
to Motlow College Boulevard.
Graham said Tennessee Promise has also given
Motlow more exposure, especially in Rutherford County. More students are now
aware of Motlow and the programs it offers.
Tennessee Promise was
introduced in 2015 by former Gov. Bill
Haslam. The goal of the program is to give all Tennesseans the opportunity to
receive a degree from a community college or technical college tuition-free.
This program has made it possible for most high school students to obtain a
degree.
“For students, it’s not
a question of how I will go to college, but where I will go,” Graham noted.
To qualify for a
Tennessee Promise scholarship, high school seniors must first apply at www.tnpromise.gov.
After they are accepted into the program, they have to complete a number of
steps by certain deadlines. Those steps include completing the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid, applying to their college of choice, completing eight
community service hours, attending two mandatory meetings at their high school,
and attending orientation.
Graham noted that the
community service hours are met by volunteering at a nonprofit organization. A
good place to earn community service hours is the United Way. The organization
hosts events throughout the year and partners with other nonprofits.
Another way students
can earn their community service hours is to team up with faculty at Motlow.
Greg Upham and Kevin Fitch are professors who offer students volunteer
opportunities. Community service hours must be completed by July 1 for students
planning to enroll at Motlow this Fall 2019.
 |
| Tennessee Promise students volunteer with Professor Kevin Fitch |
Another requirement is that
students must to attend a mandatory meetings at their high school. At the
meeting, students meet with their mentors to make sure that they are on track
and have the chance to ask questions. Once in college, students no longer have
to attend mandatory meetings, nor do they have to renew their Tennessee Promise
application every year.
“Before classes start,
students need to attend orientation,” Graham continued. “The sooner they attend
orientation, the better.”
Mentors from the
community volunteer with Tennessee Promise and serve as guides for the
students. Mentors help keep students on track, comparing notes on goals and answering
questions. Anyone in the community can volunteer to be a mentor. Mentors must
go through training and stay in touch with their assigned students. Some of
those mentors include professors on Motlow’s four campuses.
One such mentor is
Professor Debra Stockdale, who teaches speech and mass communications.
“Having two sons myself
and seeing all that went into starting college, I wanted to help,” said
Stockdale.
Once enrolled in
college, students have fewer requirements. They don’t have to reapply for the
Tennessee Promise yearly, but they must complete their FAFSA by the deadline.
Students must remain full time, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and complete eight
community service hours each semester.
For more information about
resources that are available through Tennessee Promise, visit www.tnpromise.gov.
