2024-2025 FAFSA is Now Open. Tennessee Promise FAFSA Deadline Moved to May 15th.

MISSION

GEAR UP TN aims to expand the college-going culture in Tennessee. By using an empowerment model that recognizes the assets and needs of local communities, GEAR UP TN looks to shift the state’s educational culture. We aim to develop long-term, successful partnerships to support students in reaching college and providing them with the resources to succeed in college.

OVERVIEW

Funded through a seven-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), GEAR UP TN works with Collaboratives in counties across the state to promote college readiness and success. These Collaboratives receive direct services through the GEAR UP TN grant. GEAR UP TN also aims to provide educators, parents, and students across the state with resources and information on the college-going process.

The GEAR UP TN grant is administered by THEC’s College Access and Success Division, which also houses a number of other initiatives focused on college access and success. 

Currently, THEC serves 15 Tennessee counties through the 2017 GEAR UP TN grant.  

GOALS

The goals of GEAR UP TN are to:

  1. Increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education for GEAR UP students.
  2. Increase the rates of high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary education for GEAR UP students.
  3. Increase GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.

OBJECTIVES

GEAR UP TN’s programmatic objectives are to:

  1. Increase student academic achievement and course completion.
  2. Increase student performance on college entrance exams.
  3. Increase student high school graduation.
  4. Increase student postsecondary participation and success.
  5. Increase student and family educational expectations.
  6. Increase student and family knowledge of and access to financial assistance for postsecondary education.
  7. Increase parent and community engagement in activities associated with student preparation for college.
  8. Increase educator content-area knowledge and understanding.

WHO DOES GEAR UP TN SERVE?

GEAR UP TN serves students living primarily in high-poverty, low resourced areas of TN. Participating schools serve a student population with over 50% of students eligible for free & reduced price lunch. Participating schools have a college-going rate that is below the state average when the program begins. 

GEAR UP TN supports 6,000 students annually. Currently, GEAR UP TN 3.0 serves the class of 2023 cohort and high school seniors. See below for a map that includes all of the high schools and communities that we currently serve. Each of these 17 sites hires a site coordinator who dedicates 100% of their time and effort to coordinating grant implementation. 

ANDERSON COUNTY

Clinton High School

Site Coordinator:
Candace Watson

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Clinton Middle School

Norwood Middle School

BRADLEY COUNTY

Bradley Central High School

Site Coordinators:
Micaleah Parker

[email protected]

Lori Wickam
[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Lake Forest Middle School

CAMPBELL COUNTY

Campbell County High School

Jellico High School

Countywide Site Coordinator:
Monica Bane

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Campbell County High School

Jellico High School

Elk Valley Elementary School

Jacksboro Middle School

Jellico Elementary School

LaFollette Middle School

White Oak Elementary School

Wynn Habersham Elementary School

 

Jellico High School Coordinator:
Esther Loudin

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Elk Valley Elementary School

Jellico Elementary School

White Oak Elementary School

Wynn Habersham Elementary School

DAVIDSON COUNTY (MNPS)

Whites Creek High School

Site Coordinator:
Dornedria Joseph

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Haynes Health Medical Science Design Center

Joelton Middle School

FAYETTE COUNTY

Fayette-Ware High School

Site Coordinator:
Tarra Broadnax

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

East Junior High School

West Junior High School

HAYWOOD COUNTY

Haywood High School

Site Coordinator:
Jackie Whitten

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Haywood Middle School

HENRY COUNTY

Henry County High School

Site Coordinator:
John Norwood

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Dorothy and Noble Harrelson School

Henry Elementary School

W.O. Inman School

JACKSON COUNTY

Jackson County High School

Site Coordinator:
Gary Flynn

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Dodson Branch Middle School

Jackson County Middle School

JOHNSON COUNTY

Johnson County High School

Site Coordinator:
Brittany Evans

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Johnson County Middle School

LINCOLN COUNTY

Fayetteville High School

Site Coordinator:
Mandy Pitts

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Fayetteville Middle School

MEIGS COUNTY

Meigs County High School

Site Coordinator:
Keri Fitch

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Meigs Middle School

OVERTON COUNTY

Livingston Academy

Site Coordinator:
Vanessa Farris

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Allons Elementary School

Hilham Elementary School

Livingston Middle School

Rickman Elementary School

Wilson Elementary School

POLK COUNTY

Copper Basin High School

Site Coordinator:
Amber Grabowski

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Copper Basin School

Polk County High School

Site Coordinator:
Julie Faulkner

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Chilhowee Middle School

ROBERTSON COUNTY

Springfield High School

Site Coordinator:
Rebecca Roberson

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Springfield Middle School

SHELBY COUNTY

Kingsbury High School

Site Coordinator:
LaQuetta R. Jones-Taylor

[email protected]

Previously Served Schools:

Kingsbury Middle School

Treadwell Middle School