A Chief Academic Officer s Perspective

Transcription

1 A Chief Academic Officer s Perspective

2 Denise King Vice President of Academic Affairs Cleveland State Community College Ted A. Lewis Vice President of Academic Affairs Pellissippi State Community College

3 In 2013 Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam established Drive to 55: a mission for higher education, workforce and economic development to reduce unemployment and improve quality of life.

4 The Goal Bring the percentage of Tennesseans with college degrees or certifications to 55% by the year Tennessee now ranks 43rd nationally, in working adults with a two-year degree or higher. Reaching this goal will involve increasing the number of two-year and four-year degrees as well as technical certifications.

5 Why Drive to 55? A minimum of 55% of Tennessee jobs will require some postsecondary education by 2025 (Carnevale, Smith, & Strohl, 2010) Currently, in Tennessee, 32% of those between ages 25 and 64 hold at least a twoyear degree (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011a) 5

6 Why Drive to 55? If we continue on our current trajectory, we will reach 39% by 2025, which means we will fall 16 percentage points short of our goal (Lumina, 2012). To reach 55%, we need 494,000 additional degrees--of which technical certificates and two-year degrees are a key part (NCHEMS & CLASP, 2013). 6

7 An Economic Imperative

8 Assumptions within the Model This is a bold promise. It is a promise that will speak volumes to current and prospective employers. It is a promise that will make a real difference for generations of Tennesseans. --Gov. Bill Haslam February 3, 2014

9 The Roots

10 Started by Knoxville local businessman Randy Boyd and three other community leaders in 2008 as KnoxAchieves. Post-secondary access and success program. Provides last dollar scholarships to increase higher education opportunities for students.

11 Utilizes volunteers in business and community-based organizations, as mentors, to guide students through college processes. While all public high school students are eligible, the program focuses primarily on first generation, low income students.

12 PARTICIPATING COUNTIES Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Claiborne, Davidson, Dyer, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Loudon, Madison, Meigs, Morgan, Obion, Pickett, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Shelby, Sullivan, Union

13 By the Numbers Since 2008, tnachieves provided over 64,000 high school students the opportunity to attend community or technical college at no cost. Nearly 6,400 students have entered a postsecondary institution with tnachieves. tnachieves has a 84% fall to spring retention rate and a 75% fall to fall retention rate.

14 By the Numbers 65% of tnachieves students are first generation college students. tnachieves serves 27 counties including 141 high schools across Tennessee. tnachieves students have logged over 49,000 hours of community service.

15 Similar to Tennessee Achieves, Tennessee Promise will provide a last-dollar scholarship for high school graduates in Tennessee to attend a community or technical college free of tuition and fees. Student will be assigned mentors to guide them through the college processes.

16 Mentoring and community service will be coordinated by local, non-profit partnering organizations selected by county mayors. Partnering organizations will be responsible for reaching out to students regarding program requirements and mentorship connections.

17 Requirements for Students To participate in the program, students must: Apply to the Tennessee Promise program Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Attend mandatory meetings coordinated by partnering organization

18 Requirements for Students To participate in the program, students must: Apply to and enroll in a community or technical college Complete 8 hours of community service by the first day of class

19 Nov. 1, 2014 TN Promise application Aug. 15, deadline 2014 TN Promise application portal opens Feb. 15, 2015 FAFSA deadline By Mar. 1 & May 31, 2015 Students attend two mandatory meetings w/partnering organizations Spring 2015 TCAT & community college applications submitted Aug First TN Promise cohort begins classes

20 Requirements for Students Once in the program students must: Maintain satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA) Complete 8 hours of community service per term enrolled (prior to the start of the term) Complete the FAFSA by February 15 every year they are in the program

21 Funding

22 Tennessee Promise s scholarship component will be administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). As a last-dollar scholarship, it will cover tuition and fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or TSAA.

23 Tennessee Promise Student Scenario 1 Academically Successful, Non-Pell Eligible Total EFC: $6,463 HOPE eligible Pell: $0 Tennessee Promise: $646 HOPE Scholarship: $3,000 Tennessee Promise: $646 $3,646 Annual Tuition and Fees at a Tennessee Community College (12 hours)

24 Tennessee Promise Student Scenario 2 Academically Challenged, Pell Eligible Total EFC: $3,250 Not HOPE eligible Pell: $1,150 Tennessee Promise: $2,496 Pell Grant: $1,150 Tennessee Promise: $2,496 $3,646 Annual Tuition and Fees at a Tennessee Community College (12 hours)

25 Creates a new endowment by using the Lottery for Education Account reserves in excess of $110 million. Annually sweeps the lottery surplus funds into the Tennessee Promise account.

26 Adds$47 million endowment (from TSAC operating reserves) that was created by the General Assembly in Changes the HOPE scholarship structure to reduce the last dollar scholarship cost.

27 Challenges

28 It is estimated that 23,000 new students will enroll in 2015 as a result of this program, most of whom will be first generation college attendees who may be less than prepared for college-level academic rigor. Although the state will reimburse colleges for tuition, there is no additional funding.

29 Approximately 5,000 new mentors will be needed. Currently, students enrolled in Service- Learning classes cannot count those hours toward their 8 required hours of service.

30 The program only funds graduating seniors for that year beginning in Adult students are not included in TN Promise, but via TN Reconnect, may attend a Tennessee College of Applied Technology on a similar last-dollar scholarship.

31 Questions?

32 Denise King Vice President of Academic Affairs Cleveland State Community College Ted A. Lewis Vice President of Academic Affairs Pellissippi State Community College