Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam joined Mike Krause, Tennessee’s Higher Education Commissioner and Kyle Spurgeon, the president/CEO of the Jackson Chamber to announce the launch of the Southwest Tennessee Reconnect Community at the Jackson Chamber, Thursday.
The program is part of a larger statewide effort, Tennessee Reconnect, to encourage adults to return to college to earn a degree or certificate.
“It’s the right thing to do, we’ve seen this work and we need it as a state,” Haslam said. “We’re doing it for selfish reasons … we are doing it for you, but we’re also doing it for ourselves.”
Haslam stressed the program is not just for the high school graduate, but for any adult.
“For those folks who feel they do not have all the opportunity (they) would like to in life … they would like more training, this is that chance to go to school for free … to get a community college or technical school certificate absolutely free.”
The program is a result of a grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission in 2017 to fund adult learner outreach and resources.
Tennessee Reconnect is part of Gov. Haslam’s Drive to 55 Initiative, a statewide effort to increase Tennessee’s education attainment rate from 37 percent to 55 percent by the year 2025.
There are over 900,000 adults in the state who have at least some college credits – but have not earned a degree.
“High school graduation is at an all-time high,” Haslam said. “If you know that person or know somebody, let them know about (Reconnect Community). It’s never too late to earn a degree or learn a new skill.”
(PHOTO: Gov. Bill Haslam with Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist)
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