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Published on January 14, 2025
Tennessee Higher Education Commission Teams Up with TBR and Ithaka S+R to Aid Adult Learners in Degree CompletionSource: Unsplash / {Unseen Studio}

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), together with the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), is bolstering efforts to aid adult learners in completing their degrees. A partnership has been struck with Ithaka S+R, a non-profit, focussed on transforming higher education. This collaborative endeavor aims to re-engage adults who have previously started, but not finished their college education, and are now stalled due to financial holds.

“This collaborative research initiative presents a significant opportunity to explore how we can better help adults leverage their past academic work,” said Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of THEC. The intervening period will see strategy sessions and brainstorming through the spring and summer of 2025, to find and implement practical solutions that remove barriers for returning students. Support from organizations such as the Lumina Foundation and The Kresge Foundation play an integral role in this initiative.

State programs like Tennessee Reconnect have set a precedent by providing tuition-free access to community and technical colleges for adults. Now, the partnership aspires to enhance these offerings. “This initiative builds on Tennessee's strong foundation of supporting adult learners and will create new pathways for degree completion," Dr. Flora W. Tydings, Chancellor of TBR, communicated in a recent announcement.

The initiative capitalizes on the momentum with existing state programs to create fresh avenues for workforce development and academic achievement. Similar programs in states like Ohio and Kentucky have exemplified how focus and innovation can propel adult learners past obstacles toward their educational aspirations. Data on THEC's adult learner program can be gleaned through the website tnreconnect.gov, offering further insight into the state's commitment to postsecondary education access. Established in 1967, THEC has been unwavering in its mission to elevate the number of Tennesseans holding postsecondary credentials.