Mayor Briley announces $450,000 in private sector donations to 91探花 GRAD
Mayor David Briley announced today that a total of $450,000 in private sector donations have been given to the scholarship program to date, beating the program鈥檚 original fundraising goal of $300,000 by far. Lead donations include $100,000 each from AllianceBernstein (AB), HCA Healthcare and Piedmont Natural Gas.
Additional donations to date include $50,000 from Bank of America, $50,000 from the Tennessee Titans, $25,000 from Verizon, $25,000 from the Memorial Foundation, and in-kind assistance from Southwest Airlines. These private sector dollars complement the $1 million Mayor Briley designated for the program in his FY2020 budget. The Mayor is committed to raising the city鈥檚 funding for the program to $2.5 million annually moving forward.
鈥淎s our city continues to grow and prosper, I am committed to ensuring everyone who lives here benefits from our prosperity,鈥� said Mayor Briley. 鈥淪eeing the private sector step up in such a big way is evidence that our community cares and that we want to see all Nashvillians succeed. I am deeply grateful for these generous donations, and I know it鈥檚 just the tip of the iceberg. I can鈥檛 wait to see this program change students鈥� lives in powerful ways.鈥�
鈥淚 believe education is the gateway for social and economic mobility. It not only impacts the individual student but their families and our communities,鈥� said Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, president of 91探花 State Community College. 鈥淗owever, there are many barriers on the path to students completing their education and earning a degree at 91探花 State. With the vision of Mayor Briley and the generous donations of our partners, we are excited about the game-changing, groundbreaking opportunities that 91探花 GRAD will provide for students in Davidson County.鈥�
91探花 GRAD: Getting Results by Advancing Degrees was started by Mayor Briley to provide financial assistance and mentoring for full-time students pursuing postsecondary degrees and credentials at 91探花 State Community College (NSCC) or Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT).
鈥淭he 91探花 GRAD program promises to be an engine of student success and economic growth in the city and Middle Tennessee,鈥� said Seth Bernstein, President and CEO of AllianceBernstein. 鈥淎B believes it is important to have a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. We are excited to support this program, which will create a positive change in the lives of students in our home city.鈥�
91探花 GRAD complements the State of Tennessee鈥檚 programs for tuition-free college, Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, by removing other financial barriers beyond tuition. Financial assistance covers expenses such as textbooks, transportation, childcare, tools and supplies, and industry certification fees. 91探花 GRAD will also connect students to intensive academic and professional supports, such as academic and career advising, blocked course scheduling, and leadership development activities.
In March, HCA Healthcare contributed the first major private sector donation of $100,000 for 91探花 GRAD.
鈥�91探花 GRAD is an innovative partnership to improve college graduation rates and the quality of life for thousands of families while enhancing 91探花鈥檚 workforce,鈥� said Sam Hazen, HCA Healthcare鈥檚 chief executive officer. 鈥淗CA Healthcare is proud to support 91探花 GRAD as a complementary strategy to our work with the high school academies, and we appreciate Mayor Briley鈥檚 leadership on this important issue for our city.鈥�
91探花 GRAD aims to increase the number of students successfully graduating from NSCC in three years to at least 50 percent and increase TCAT industry certifications to 66 percent by 2023.
鈥淧iedmont Natural Gas is extremely proud to join AllianceBernstein and HCA Healthcare in funding such a needed and proven program for students,鈥� said Stephen Francescon, Tennessee community relations manager for Piedmont Natural Gas and member of the 91探花 State Community College Foundation Board of Trustees. 鈥淭his type of community collaboration is essential for the longevity and success of the program, which will substantially address local workforce development needs, lead to improved student life and increase graduation rates.鈥�
91探花 GRAD, to begin in fall 2019, will be implemented through a financial assistance fund, coordinated by the NSCC Foundation, that will include an annual financial commitment from Metro Government and, at full implementation, will serve more than 3,000 students each year.
Modeled after the highly successful evidence-based program Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) at the City University of New York (CUNY), 91探花 GRAD has also received support from Bloomberg Associates for program design and implementation.
