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With only seven weeks remaining, tnAchieves, the partnering organization that administers Governor Haslam’s Tennessee Promise in 84 counties, needs 4,500 more mentors to meet its goal of providing every Tennessee Promise applicant from the class of 2019 with a local support system.

Inside Claiborne county alone, the entity needs 16 more mentors to cover student demand.

Each TN Promise applicant is assigned a volunteer mentor who assists the student in eliminating the barriers associated with college access and success. tnAchieves mentors support students as they navigate the college process and provide the nudges many need to earn a college credential.

“Thanks to TN Promise, every student has the opportunity to earn a college degree,” said Krissy DeAlejandro, Executive Director, tnAchieves. “Many students, however, need more than financial assistance to overcome barriers to fulfilling their potential. Many need someone to encourage, someone to help navigate the process and someone to ensure they meet critical deadlines. For a decade, our mentors have been that someone to thousands of students. I believe having someone in your corner is the difference maker for our program.”

tnAchieves asks mentors to give one hour per month to high school seniors as they transition from high school to college. The organization provides a one-hour training, a handbook and weekly communication to ensure the mentor is fully equipped to serve his/her students.

The deadline to apply is November 30, 2018. The application can be found at www.tnachieves.org.

“We need mentors in every community to step up, not only for their students but also for the economic viability of our state,” said Graham Thomas, Deputy Director of Engagement and Partnerships, tnAchieves. “It is a 12 hour annual commitment – one hour per month – but has the potential to make a lifelong impact in the lives of our students.”

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, contact Graham Thomas at 615-604-1306 or email him at: graham@tnachieves.org.