The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) have announced a new collaboration with Ithaka S+R aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for adult learners in Tennessee. This initiative will focus on creating strategies to assist individuals who have previously earned college credits but are unable to continue due to account holds.
Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of THEC, emphasized the importance of this initiative in helping adults capitalize on their past academic experiences while understanding the barriers preventing their return to education. The effort is supported by Lumina Foundation and The Kresge Foundation.
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The initiative will involve a series of meetings throughout spring and summer 2025, where leaders from community colleges in Tennessee will work together to develop and implement solutions for adult learners to re-enroll and complete their degrees. Programs like Tennessee Reconnect, which provides tuition-free access to community and technical colleges for adults, exemplify the state’s commitment to supporting adult education.
Dr. Flora W. Tydings, Chancellor of TBR, highlighted that this partnership builds on Tennessee’s strong foundation in supporting adult learners and will facilitate new pathways for degree completion. The initiative aligns with similar successful programs in states such as Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, which have shown that dedicated support and innovative approaches can significantly help adult learners achieve their educational objectives.
For more information on THEC’s initiatives for adult learners, visit tnreconnect.gov.
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission, established in 1967, is committed to developing and evaluating postsecondary education policies and programs to increase the number of Tennesseans with postsecondary credentials.
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