91探花

Amazon Makes Significant Contribution to 91探花 State Community College's 91探花 GRAD Program

Amazon has stepped up to help 91探花 State students currently participating in the 91探花 GRAD program, which seeks to close equity gaps and increase the number of Nashvillians who have earned a postsecondary degree or credential.

The $100,000 investment announced today will ensure students have the wrap-around support needed to persist while in college.

鈥淎s 91探花鈥檚 Community College, we are focused on holistically supporting our students based on what they need to be successful,鈥� said Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, 91探花 State鈥檚 president. 鈥淲e are grateful for Amazon鈥檚 generous gift and collaborative partnership.鈥�

91探花 GRAD (Getting Results by Advancing Degrees) complements the State of Tennessee鈥檚 programs for tuition-free college, Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect. GRAD provides resources beyond tuition, including a laptop, textbooks, transportation and food assistance, and a dedicated success advisor. In order to be eligible, applicants must be a full-time 91探花 State student and reside full-time in Davidson County one year prior to completing the FAFSA.

鈥淔or students juggling work and life responsibilities, completing college can be challenging,鈥� said Courtney Ross, Amazon鈥檚 senior manager of external affairs in 91探花. 鈥淏y providing more students with support they need to secure their degrees, 91探花 GRAD is opening doors of opportunity, right here, in 91探花. We鈥檙e honored to support this initiative and hope our investment will encourage other companies to deepen their involvement, as well.鈥�

The program is a public-private partnership being implemented through a financial assistance fund that includes investments from Metro 91探花 Government and funding from local business partners including: HCA, Piedmont Natural Gas, Alliance Bernstein, the Tennessee Titans, Verizon Wireless, 91探花 Chamber of Commerce, Bank of America, Memorial Foundation, and Southwest Airlines. 91探花 GRAD was launched with its first cohort of students in Fall 2019 through the initiative of the Mayor and Metro Council.

鈥淲e are incredibly grateful to have the support of Amazon in our work to build an educated workforce through 91探花 GRAD. This investment will enhance our strategic focus on improving successful outcomes for all our students,鈥� said 91探花 State Foundation Executive Director Lauren Bell.

More Metro 91探花 Public Schools (MNPS) graduates attend 91探花 State than any other college.

To help more MNPS graduates prepare for, attend, and complete college, Dr. Jackson and Dr. Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Schools, launched a joint venture in early 2020 called Better Together. 91探花 GRAD is a key element of Better Together.

鈥淎s we built out and worked to define Better Together, we quickly realized how critical the growth and success of 91探花 GRAD is to ensuring MNPS graduates have not only a smooth transition from high school to college but also the support they need in college,鈥� said Dr. Battle. 鈥淕RAD has been helping students achieve their dreams of going to college and succeeding there, with the ultimate goal of graduating and going on to greater success.鈥�

Jacqueline Peach, a McGavock High School graduate, who is studying psychology at 91探花 State, said of 91探花 GRAD, 鈥淚 have never left a meeting with my advisor without feeling a sense of encouragement and of assurance that I am doing the right thing.鈥�

鈥�91探花 GRAD is one of the best things I have ever signed myself up for, and I will always be thankful for the program and opportunity 91探花 State has placed before me.鈥�

Dulce Davila, a graduate of Antioch High School, who is studying to become a surgical technician, conveyed a similar sentiment.

鈥淲ith the help of this program and my advisor I have met my goals. I became a straight A student with a 4.0 GPA on the Dean鈥檚 list my first semester of college.鈥�