CONTRIBUTED — tnAchieves, the partnering organization to TN Promise in 90 counties, has recruited 9,857 volunteers to serve as mentors for TN Promise applicants from the Class of 2020. The program exceeded its goal of 9,000 mentors and has recruited the most for any single class in the six-year history of TN Promise. This is a testament to countless local advocates across Tennessee that understand that sometimes all students need to be successful are encouraging words and additional support as they navigate the college-going process.

“On behalf of the tnAchieves board of directors and team, we want to share our sincere gratitude with our many partners across the state,” said tnAchieves Executive Director Krissy DeAlejandro. “Thank you to our business and industry partners that shared this message with their employees, to the civic clubs that hosted our staff, to the colleges that recruited staff and faculty, to our K-12 partners that sent a call across their districts and to the individuals that believe the power of personal relationships can be a difference-maker for students.”

In its sixth cohort, a record 63,000+ students applied for TN Promise from the Class of 2020. TN Promise exists to provide post-secondary opportunities for students in the state’s efforts to reach 55 percent degree attainment by 2025.

“Mentors are the heart and soul of the TN Promise program,” said tnAchieves Deputy Director of Partnerships and Outreach Graham Thomas. “We know the financial component of the program is important, but we also know the encouragement and reminders can be the real difference makers for students. Mentors are what sets TN Promise apart from so many other financial aid programs and are the reason TN Promise is so successful.”

tnAchieves plans to leave the mentor application open through the end of January in an effort to assist those counties who have yet to meet their mentor need.  The application can be found at www.tnachieves.org/mentors.apply.

Launched in 2008, tnAchieves is a privately-funded scholarship and mentoring program that seeks to provide an opportunity for every Tennessee student to earn a post-secondary degree.

For information on tnAchieves visit www.tnachieves.org or contact Graham Thomas at 615.604.1306 or graham@tnachieves.org.