Renowned education minds, local leaders will discuss ways students can capitalize on Tennessee Promise
Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Randy Boyd will join state and local education, government and business leaders to engage students, parents and community members at an October public forum in Columbia, Tennessee related to student achievement.
The event, entitled “Unlocking the Keys to Student Success: Opening the Door to Opportunity,” will explore ways students can capitalize on the Tennessee Promise program and outline what community members can do to help students along the path to success, with emphasis on the tnAchieves program. Tennessee Promise and tnAchieves are revolutionary initiatives designed to increase in-state community college enrollment and improve academic achievement.
Columbia Daily Herald Editor James Bennett will moderate the event, which will take place at Puckett’s in downtown Columbia Tuesday, October 25 at 6 p.m.
The summit, organized by the Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance in coordination with Maury County Public Schools (MCPS), seeks to build on the momentum the #GrowMaury education initiative has generated by empowering the county’s workers of the future and equipping mentors with the tools they need to support them.
“This will be a must-attend event for students, especially high schoolers, as well as their parents,” said Maury County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Marczak. “As juniors and seniors prepare for college and the workforce, the forum will show them ways to unlock their potential using the MCPS Seven Keys to College and Career Readiness.”
The discussion will explore new ideas by cultivating state leaders’ and experts’ knowledge of best practices and harvesting the boots-on-the-ground understanding of local leaders. In addition to Commissioner Boyd, the panel includes tnAchieves Director of College Access Amanda Bolden, Columbia State Community College President Dr. Janet Smith, SCORE President David Mansouri and other Maury County business and education leaders.
The general public is invited to attend along with students, parents and educators. Those who cannot attend may follow the live Twitter feed using the designated hashtag #UnlockingTheKeys.
Students who attend will receive an additional entry into the Strive to Drive program, a contest offered by Columbia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram that gives a free car to a random high-achieving Maury County student every year.
Marczak and the panel will explore ways to deepen student involvement in Tennessee Promise and unlock other opportunities to help students make a successful transition from high school to college and the workforce. The event will also provide younger students and parents with a road map to success by informing them of important educational steps they can take.
“We are extremely excited to have the community come together for this event,” said Maury Alliance President Wil Evans. “The willingness of so many great minds to come together in one room shows this community’s dedication to the future of our youth.”
To register for the event or to learn more, visit UnlockingTheKeys.org.
List of Panelists
o Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Randy Boyd
o SCORE President David Mansouri
o tnAchieves Director of College Access Amanda Bolden
o Maury County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Marczak
o Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance President Wil Evans
o 2017 Maury Alliance Board Chair Chaz Molder
o Columbia State Community College President Janet Smith
o South Central Workforce Alliance Executive Director Jan McKeel
o Spring Hill Middle School Principal Shanda Sparrow
o Columbia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Owner / General Manager Eddie Collier
Moderator
o Columbia Daily Herald Editor James Bennett