THEC launches 'FAFSA Frenzy' resources to help students apply for financial aid
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is partnering with several education and community organizations across the state to launch its “FAFSA Frenzy” campaign to provide support to students and families completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
University of Memphis childhood programs receive state grants for early intervention services
Two early intervention resource agencies for young children with developmental delays and disabilities at University of Memphis received three new grants from the state to support their work in the coming years, a recent announcement said.
Senate GOP challenger Bobby Harshbarger lists former TSU President Glenda Glover as one of his largest contributors
Senate district 4 challenger Bobby Harshbarger prominently lists supporting “anti-woke education” as one of his campaign priorities yet the fifth largest campaign donation he received this quarter came from the recently retired president of one of the country’s largest historically black colleges and universities.
UT named a 'Best Value College' by Princeton Review
The Princeton Review has named University of Tennessee in Knoxville as “one of the nation’s best-value colleges for students seeking a great education at a relatively affordable price,” a recent announcement said.
Tennessee Higher Ed Commission notes increase in 'college-going rate'
New data from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission shows a significant increase in the state's college-going rate for the class of 2023, with a 2.4 percentage point rise over the previous year.
University of Memphis announces $1M investment in AI-related programming
The University of Memphis is investing $1 million in academic and research programming relating to artificial intelligence to better prepare tomorrow’s AI workforce for job opportunities in the emerging tech field, a recent announcement said.
UT-Chattanooga receives College of Distinction designation
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has been designated a 2024-2025 College of Distinction and a Tennessee College of Distinction, a recent announcement said.
AI policies are still a work in progress for several Tennessee school districts ahead of 2024-25 school year
Tennessee school districts are finalizing their AI policies ahead of the 2024-25 school year as they navigate new legislation requiring guidelines on AI use in classrooms.
Teacher vacancies are a big challenge in Tennessee. Clarksville-Montgomery County may have found a solution.
A recent report from the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) found that school districts across Tennessee began the school year with 1,000 teaching vacancies.
Students of color make up the majority of public charter school students in Tennessee. Should HBCUs get involved?
A recent report by the Tennessee Charter Center found roughly 95 percent of the state's 44,000 public charter school students are students of color and supporters believe HBCUs might be be well positioned to provide a unique K-12 learning experience, especially with the important role HBCUs are already playing in educating the next generation of Black educators and professionals.
UT-Knoxville announces newest class of Distinguished Tennessean Scholars
The University of Tennessee in Knoxville will soon welcome its newest class of Distinguished Tennessean Scholars this fall.
Vanderbilt and Oak Ridge partner on AI research and development for national security
Vanderbilt University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have announced a new partnership focusing on artificial intelligence research to develop technologies for national security, as U.S. universities continue to invest more in machine learning research and education programming.
Nashville State Community College prepares for new healthcare and information technology programs with Clarksville campus expansion
Nashville State Community College broke ground this week on a Clarksville campus expansion that’s designed to serve students with new academic programs in healthcare, information technology, secondary education, and industrial process control.The expanded facility on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard will include a complete renovation of the existing building in addition to a second building and expanded parking.
Time is running out for students to apply for the FAFSA
Tennessee students have until May 15 to complete their FAFSA applications and secure financial aid for the 2024-2025 school year, with public universities offering resources to assist.
Who You Know: Social Capital is Key for First-Gen Students’ Career Success
A growing New York nonprofit is using a newly released report to cement data around the axiom that social capital — or who you know — is key for first-generation college graduates searching for their first job.The report by Basta, an organization that connects first-generation college graduates with careers, tracks the experiences of young job seekers, revealing that not all networks are the same.
Scholarship opening doors for KIPP students who worry they can’t attend the University of Tennessee
Daniela Castro Pu says the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) felt like home almost immediately.Castro Pu is now weeks away from finishing her sophomore year at UT and she says the experience has been everything she’d hoped for but the ideal university match wasn’t always in the cards.Castro Pu says she might never have even considered the University of Tennessee if KIPP hadn’t offered a specific scholarship created for students like her.
Metro Nashville Public Schools and Vanderbilt University create new educational program at John Early Middle School
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) announced a partnership with Vanderbilt Peabody College to create a new education program at John Early Middle School. The collaboration will create a lab school that provides students with education pathways that help bridging the gap between K-12 and higher education.The lab school will focus on STEAM programming and preparing students for success beyond John Early Middle School.
Financial Aid Reform Was His Legacy. Now, Lamar Alexander Calls it ‘a Big Mess’
The turbulent rollout of a new federal financial aid application could mean thousands of low-income students miss out on college this fall.But one person feels especially perturbed by the botched implementation of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.Lamar Alexander — former governor of Tennessee, U.S. education secretary and Republican leader of the Senate education committee — thought the FAFSA Simplification Act would be his legacy.
Flip flops and t-shirts meets suits: MTSU unveils the merger of two departments during Spring Alumni Showcase
Students, faculty, and alumni gathered Tuesday night to celebrate a new chapter in Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU) work in political and global studies.The university is merging its existing Political Science and Global Studies departments into one new Political and Global Affairs department at its Spring Alumni Showcase. The departments have had plenty of overlap over the years, sharing many of the same students and faculty and the merger is part of a plan to adapt to changes in the future.
Students call for supporters to mobilize following decision to vacate the university’s Board of Trustees
A Tennessee State University (TSU) student who lost his post on the university’s Board of Trustees last week says that controversial decision is a sign for supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to mobilize.Shaun Wimberly Jr. served as the student trustee on the board until Friday, when Governor Bill Lee signed legislation to vacate it. Wimberly joined other student leaders and TSU supporters in a press conference Monday morning to push back on what they say is an attack on HBCUs.