Tennessee Higher Education Commission/Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)

THEC is proud to officially announce the appointment of Dr. Robert M. Smith to our Commission. Officially appointed by Governor Bill Lee in early November, Dr. Smith brings a wealth of experience in higher education, public policy, and leadership to his new role. Dr. Smith is a highly respected higher education leader who is president emeritus of Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and chancellor emeritus of University of Tennessee at Martin. He also previously served as the Interim Executive Director of THEC, stepping in during a critical period to ensure continued success and stability for the agency. We look forward to the leadership and insights Dr. Smith will contribute as we continue shaping a brighter future for education in Tennessee. Please join us in welcoming him back to the Commission in his new role! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gt7kpcVa

Exciting Opportunity for Postsecondary Institutions in Rural Tennessee! THEC is pleased to announce the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Rural Health Care funding. This initiative is designed to support postsecondary institutions in improving health care access, quality, and infrastructure in rural Tennessee communities. If your institution is focused on expanding health-related services, education, or research in rural areas, this is a great opportunity to apply for funding and make a significant impact. ?? Learn more about the RFP and how to apply here: https://lnkd.in/gN86Csta To ensure you have all the information you need, THEC is hosting a webinar next week where you can learn about the application process, requirements, and funding opportunities. ?? Webinar Details: Date: Tuesday, December 3 Time: 10:00 AM CDT Access Webinar Here: https://lnkd.in/gN86Csta Don’t miss out on this opportunity to advance health care education and services in rural Tennessee!

More than 67,000 students applied for the Tennessee Promise scholarship this year — the most applicants since the program began in 2015. This is a positive indicator that more Tennesseans are pursuing postsecondary education as a pathway to economic independence. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dkW33cT3 Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)

?? Job Opportunity at THEC: Reconnect Re-Entry Navigator (East TN) ?? The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is looking for a Reconnect Re-Entry Navigator in East TN to motivate and support individuals through the college application, financial aid, and enrollment processes. This full-time, remote position offers a unique opportunity to support incarcerated and formerly incarcerated adults in completing their postsecondary education and achieving their career goals. More details here: https://lnkd.in/gAE5e_a9

?? More News for Tennessee Promise! The latest data from the 2024 Promise report shows remarkable progress for Tennessee Promise students. The first-to-second semester retention rate for the 2022-23 cohort hit an all-time high of 83.8%—a 2.5 percentage point improvement over the previous cohort and the highest retention rate we’ve seen among all cohorts to date! Even more exciting, over 18% of Tennessee Promise students in the 2023-24 cohort enrolled at TCATs in their first semester. This is also a historic high, marking a 1.6 percentage point increase from the last cohort. These achievements highlight the growing impact of Tennessee Promise in supporting students’ pathways to success in higher education. For more details and insights, check out the full 2024 Promise report here: https://lnkd.in/gNWTNXr9

?? Exciting News for Tennessee! Tennessee Promise just reported a record-breaking year, with over 67,000 applicants from the Class of 2025! This growth not only demonstrates the commitment of young Tennesseans to pursue higher education, but also underscores Tennessee’s leadership in providing accessible, affordable education pathways for students. THEC is proud to see the positive impact on students' futures and on the state's future workforce! ?? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gqHQBQQ9 #TennesseePromise #TNPromise #HigherEducation #StudentSuccess #WorkforceDevelopment #Tennessee

?? Exciting insights from the 2024 Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) report are here! ?? The report highlights significant achievements for HOPE recipients. Notably, the first-fall-to-second-fall retention rate among the fall 2022 first-time HOPE recipient cohort increased from 78% to 81%, and the scholarship renewal rate rose from 58% to 61%. These gains underscore the positive impact of the HOPE scholarship on student persistence and success. In addition, this year’s report introduces a closer look at the Dual Enrollment Grant, where we’ve seen participation soar across all public sectors over the past two years, including an impressive 181% growth at TCATs! Explore our newly re-designed data dashboard on the THEC website to view student demographics, outcomes, and detailed insights on HOPE scholarship recipients by student groups and postsecondary systems. Read the full 2024 TELS report here: https://lnkd.in/ghKrUue9

The Strategic Data Project is excited to announce 25 new partner organizations joining Cohort 16 of the SDP Fellowship - welcome to the SDP network! ALLMemphis, Inc. Black Hills Special Services Cooperative California Student Aid Commission Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CECIDS) Chicago State University Denver Preschool Program EL Education Hackensack Public Schools Jeffco Public Schools - Colorado Los Angeles Community College District Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Missouri Charter Public School Association National Head Start Association Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability OnYourMark Education PBLWorks Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) Salem-Keizer Public Schools South Carolina First Steps Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership Stockton Unified School District Tennessee Higher Education Commission/Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC) Challenger Center Washoe County School District Wilmington Learning Collaborative

Nearly 1 in 5 transfer students in Tennessee participates in a Transfer Pathway Program, paving the way for smoother transitions and academic success. The final day of National Transfer Student Week is the perfect time to spread awareness and encourage more students to explore these beneficial opportunities! For more information, check out the 2023 Articulation and Transfer Report! https://lnkd.in/ecYBZtk5

The deadline to apply for #TNPromise is November 1! Encourage your students to apply now at https://lnkd.in/g_4-Cp4f!