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Nashville State Community College creates environment for students to excel | Opinion

At Nashville State, we want to give all of our students the individual support they need to achieve a lifetime of success.

Dr. Shanna Jackson
Guest Columnist

As I reflect on the transformation taking place at Nashville State Community College and the variety of student support services we have in place today, I also think about the students we were not able to help at this same time last year.

Access to higher education at Nashville State is no longer a barrier for thousands of middle Tennessee residents, thanks to tuition-free assistance programs like Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect.

The goal is not just greater college access, but also completion.

There are so many factors beyond tuition that can make all the difference in a student dropping out or staying in school. With the rising cost of living and additional responsibilities outside the classroom, completing college can be hard for many of our students who dream of earning a degree or credential to obtain the thousands of new jobs being added to our growing region. 

We also know the percentage of high-wage, high-demand jobs here in Nashville is growing at a much quicker pace than our current graduation rate. So it is critical to the success of the Nashville region that Nashville State produces more graduates to meet industry’s greatest needs.

That is why we are taking even more steps to transform Nashville State into a student-centered community college by meeting the individual needs of each student.

Our vision includes removing barriers to success by helping students not only start their education, but also complete it. And this fall we began offering a host of new programs and supports to meet the needs of our students so they are able to stay in school.

One of these programs is Nashville GRAD -- Getting Results by Advancing Degrees. This program offers financial and academic resources beyond tuition. And thanks to the support from newly elected Mayor John Cooper, and many generous corporate sponsors, Nashville GRAD replicates a nationally recognized model and will be a game changer for many students by providing additional financial aid for textbooks, transportation, tools and supplies, and industry certification fees. As important, students utilizing GRAD will also be paired with an advisor for personalized guidance and support.

Making ways for students to thrive 

Many current students drop out, primarily in the first year, for what may seem like minor reasons, such as a $100 course fee, $300 in textbooks, a flat tire, or running short on groceries. By helping to cover these fees, we are confident we will boost graduation rates and produce more qualified workers for the many new jobs coming to Nashville.

Nashville GRAD is also the catalyst that accelerated the development of our new Student Support Center, which is a place for students to find resources and to help answer questions and guide students through the college process. The center also helps students cultivate important relationships with mentors and other students who understand what they're facing.

Through partnerships with multiple Nashville nonprofits, such as the Oasis Center, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, and AGAPE, we are also equipping our students with the support and assistance they need to be successful the first day they step foot on campus. These organizations have personnel on our campus to provide direct services to students.

In addition, our new Campus Cupboard was established through a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The Cupboard provides nonperishable food and personal items, that our most at-risk students may need. We also provide financial literacy advising and other assistance to ensure our students are prepared to be successful both inside and outside the classroom.

A professor teaches on the first day of school at Nashville State Community College last month.

For Nashville’s economy to remain vibrant and thriving, we cannot continue to rely on a strategy of importing talent; we must educate our own people to be the next leaders of our city.  That is why we are committed to removing barriers to student success that will improve the lives of generations of Nashvillians.

Nashville is counting on us. We are rising to meet the challenge. And by helping our students succeed, we all succeed.

Dr. Shanna Jackson is the president of Nashville State Community College.