MPLOY Memphis Youth Summer Experience launches first-of-its-kind paid work and college credit opportunity
For more information, contact Diana Fedinec, Southwest Tennessee Community College Director of Public Relations and Media, at 901-333-4247 or dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu.
(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) — For the first time in its program history, students participating in the MPLOY Memphis Youth Summer Experience will earn college credit while getting paid to work this summer.
Through a new partnership between Southwest Tennessee Community College and the City of Memphis Office of Youth Services, eligible high school students enrolled in MPLOY can jump-start their college journey by earning three transferable college credit hours that will be officially recorded on their high school transcripts.
To kick off the initiative, Southwest will host a special event at its Macon Cove Campus on May 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. to prepare students for their summer experience.
Participating students will be able to earn the credit hours through dual enrollment in Southwest’s Academic Success Seminar, ACAD 1100, a college-level course designed to build confidence and readiness for higher education. The course focuses on essential skills, including study strategies, test-taking techniques, time management, and career exploration.
“Southwest is excited to partner with MPLOY on this unique initiative,” said Matthew Lexow, dean of academic support and operations at Southwest Tennessee Community College. “We see our role as a bridge between workforce development and higher education access. This is a great way to help students transition from summer employment into long-term educational and career opportunities.”
“MPLOY is designed to create real opportunities for young people in Memphis,” said City of Memphis, Office of Youth Services Director Brian Harris. “This partnership takes that to the next level. Now, our students are not only getting the opportunity to earn a paycheck, but they could also earn college credit and build the confidence to see themselves in higher education. That is how we create pathways, and that is how we connect summer experiences to long-term success.”
To gauge interest in the classroom initiative, MPLOY surveyed 3,000 applicants across Shelby County. A total of 209 students responded that they are ready to take a step toward higher education, with 156 students expressing interest in attending Southwest.
Cost will not be a barrier to students enrolling in the course. Memphis-Shelby County Schools students will have tuition covered through the school district, while non-Memphis-Shelby County Schools students may use Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation grant funds to pay for tuition and fees.
The five-week course will run from June through early July to align with MPLOY’s six-week program, which runs from June 1 through July 10.
The MPLOY program serves youth ages 14 to 22, providing paid summer employment combined with professional development and career exploration. Participants work up to 20 hours per week in entry-level jobs, internships, or career-pathway placements with local employers.
To support high school students enrolled in coursework, Southwest will offer flexible learning options, including Friday classes, hybrid formats, and online instruction, to accommodate work schedules.
Southwest/MPLOY Memphis Summer Kickoff Orientation
Inaugural session: Saturday, May 2
Location: Southwest Tennessee Community College
Farris Auditorium, Macon Cove Campus
5983 Macon Cove, Memphis, TN 38134
2-4 p.m.
Speakers include:
- Donna Dancy, program manager, Office of Youth Services, City of Memphis
- Matthew Lexow, dean of academic support and operations, Southwest Tennessee Community College
- Andrea Pickens, assistant director of precollegiate programs and partnerships, Southwest Tennessee Community College