Jenny and Randy Boyd Create Summer Scholars Institute at Southwest Tennessee Community College

For more information, contact:
Robert Jackson
901-333-4116
rjackson@southwest.tn.edu

Southwest Tennessee Community College, in partnership with Jenny and Randy Boyd, is pleased to announce the Jenny and Randy Boyd Summer Scholars Institute. In collaboration with Tennessee Achieves (tnAchieves), Class of 2017 Tennessee Promise high school seniors will have the opportunity to participate in a 10-week program where scholars will receive up to 13 college credit hours at no cost. This free program allows students to enroll in English, reading and math classes with additional daily tutoring. The institute will be held May 30th through August 7th at Southwest's Whitehaven Center, 1234 Finley Road.

"TN Promise and tnAchieves are about creating opportunities for our youth, particularly those who never thought college was an option. The Institute seeks to increase the percentage of TN Promise students from south Memphis who enter college by building additional academic and social supports over the summer months," says Randy Boyd. "We are excited to partner with Southwest to create a more confident and successful student population who ultimately earns a college degree!"

This pilot program targets Tennessee Promise students from high schools within a 12-mile radius of Southwest's Whitehaven Center. The goal of this program is to increase the percentage of students who matriculate to post-secondary directly following high school graduation as well as to decrease the percentage of students requiring remediation. Students who completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to the Tennessee Promise deadline and attended a mandatory meeting will receive offer letters to join the inaugural class.

Krissy DeAlejandro, Executive Director, tnAchieves says, "tnAchieves is excited to launch a pilot program with Southwest that seeks to eliminate summer melt! We are confident that with additional supports more students will not only enter the college pipeline but will also successfully complete a college credential. We are especially thankful to Randy and Jenny Boyd for continuing to invest in our students!"

Classes will be held Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a daily mandatory hour of tutor/study time. The Friday schedule includes a one-hour lunch and learn session to cover topics such as career exploration and advising, and the opportunity to complete at least one hour of community service. All study materials and transportation will be provided to students and lunch will be served daily. tnAchieves will work to enroll 120 students in the first cohort. Enrollment will be contingent on attending the mandatory Institute orientation as well as completing the 2016-2017 FAFSA. Students will also be required to select a pathway upon registering for the Institute.

"We appreciate the Boyd's generosity in choosing Southwest for this exciting pilot program," says Dr. Tracy Hall, Southwest President. "The Institute will greatly assist TN Promise students in achieving their goal of earning a college degree or certificate."