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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.
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.
The goals of GEAR UP TN are to:
GEAR UP TN’s programmatic objectives are to:
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.
Clinton High School
Site Coordinator:
Candace Watson
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Clinton Middle School
Norwood Middle School
Bradley Central High School
Site Coordinators:
Micaleah Parker
[email protected]
Lori Wickam
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Lake Forest Middle School
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
Whites Creek High School
Site Coordinator:
Dornedria Joseph
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Haynes Health Medical Science Design Center
Joelton Middle School
Fayette-Ware High School
Site Coordinator:
Tarra Broadnax
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
East Junior High School
West Junior High School
Haywood High School
Site Coordinator:
Jackie Whitten
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Haywood Middle School
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 High School
Site Coordinator:
Gary Flynn
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Dodson Branch Middle School
Jackson County Middle School
Johnson County High School
Site Coordinator:
Brittany Evans
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Johnson County Middle School
Fayetteville High School
Site Coordinator:
Mandy Pitts
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Fayetteville Middle School
Meigs County High School
Site Coordinator:
Keri Fitch
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Meigs Middle School
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
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
Springfield High School
Site Coordinator:
Rebecca Roberson
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Springfield Middle School
Kingsbury High School
Site Coordinator:
LaQuetta R. Jones-Taylor
[email protected]
Previously Served Schools:
Kingsbury Middle School
Treadwell Middle School
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