A new state report shows participation in the Tennessee Reconnect program has dropped almost in half since its inception in 2018.
Vol State Upper Cumberland Regional Director Sam Brooks said the primary obstacles preventing adults from returning to school are time constraints and existing family obligations. Brooks said the college is also navigating a fragmented media landscape that makes it difficult to ensure eligible residents are aware of the available scholarship funds.
“Time is always the major problem,” Brooks said. “And then once you get a little bit older and you’re in the job world, you sometimes a family has been started. So you have other obligations that you have to really figure out before you can put yourself back into a situation where you can be involved in classes.”
Brooks said the Tennessee Reconnect program is designed for adults 23 years of age or older who wish to earn an associate degree or technical credential. Brooks said the program provides scholarship money that can be used at community colleges or TCAT campuses.
“It gives them the ability to get back involved in higher education and supports it with monetary value that would give them the ability to get back into the classroom to reconnect with opportunities that will give them the ability to gain credentials to get in the job world,” Brooks said. “In order to grow in that job and to gain more pay, a lot of times there are educational requirements along the way to increase the opportunities for that worker.”
Brooks said Vol State attempts to mitigate scheduling hurdles by offering a mix of online and face-to-face classes. Brooks said the institution uses feedback from current students to adjust class schedules to better fit the needs of working adults.
“We want to sit down face-to-face or on the phone with this person and walk them through the whole process and give them the information that they need up front so they can make a decision,” Brooks said. “And sometimes it may not be the best time for a person to jump into an opportunity like this, but if they know the information, they know what it takes to be involved, over time they can develop and make the opportunity a little bit better for them and the timing a little bit better for them to get involved.”
Brooks said increasing the number of degree holders in the region directly impacts the local economy by allowing workers to “climb the ladder” into higher-paying positions. Brooks said an educated workforce facilitates community growth and provides better stability for local families.
“And as our community grows together, then our community becomes better together,” Brooks said. “And I think for our community, giving the opportunity for folks to improve themselves and improve their pay and improve their family’s opportunity is important to our entire community.”
Brooks said interested residents should visit the Tennessee Reconnect website or contact the Vol State admissions office to discuss how specific classes can fit into their work expectations.
