Motlow State Community College staff members are putting the wheels in motion to reconnect with prospective adult students who have completed some college courses but have yet to complete enough to graduate.
This effort is part of Tennessee Reconnect, which is crucial to Gov. Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 campaign, an initiative that aims to ensure that at least 55 percent of the state’s population holds a college degree or certificate by the year 2025.
Motlow State, in conjunction with the statewide Reconnect campaign, is making specific efforts to find and encourage adult learners to return to the college.
Recently over 500 “push” cards were mailed to former Motlow students to begin discussion about coming back to complete their education.
The Motlow mailing coincided with a $1 million statewide Reconnect advertising campaign that was launched in January by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). The THEC campaign is directed at the approximately 1 million adults in Tennessee with some college but no degree.
“Tennessee Reconnect targets the adult population, a population that is critical to the mission of Motlow State,” said Brenda Cannon, Motlow Tennessee Reconnect liaison. “As workforce training and education needs of the adult population change and evolve, Motlow State will continue as a primary higher education institution that addresses these needs. We are definitely on board supporting the Drive to 55 initiatives that will position Tennessee as a more educated state, which in turn yields a better quality of life for everyone.”
The greatest challenge of the Reconnect initiative is just that – reconnecting. Engaging with prospective adult students is a major challenge, and is being accomplished in a variety of mediums at the state, regional, and individual college level.
In addition to mail outs and the advertising campaign, Tennessee Reconnect Community (TRC) events are being launched this month throughout the state at various locations for the purpose of engaging and informing interested adults about the program.
Motlow staff members are participating in TRC events located in the 11-county service area of the College, providing opportunity for in-person conversation with adult learner prospects about opportunities offered by Motlow.
Each TRC is comprised of local leaders from the community, employers, and higher education institutions, focusing on a localized plan to engage adults in the area. The TRCs provide adults with free advising, career counseling, support, and a personalized path to and through college. Adults can receive information about returning to college, sign up for TRC advising services, and talk to colleges about options available to them.
The Motlow Student Affairs office has extended its hours of operation each Tuesday through May 3 until 6 p.m., in order to accommodate the schedule challenges of the working adult. Appointments can be made and walk-ins are welcome.
For more information and to reconnect with Motlow, interested adults should contact Brenda Cannon, Adult Learner Contact, at 931-393-1548, or bcannon@mscc.edu.