Statements
Mission
The Nashville State Community College Foundation's work -- to provide quality education, remove financial barriers, and empower students at Nashville State to achieve their dreams for a brighter future -- is in service of the College's mission to provide comprehensive educational programs and partnerships, exemplary services, an accessible, progressive learning environment, and responsible leadership to improve the quality of life for the community we serve. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every student who enrolls at Nashville State has access to a comprehensive system of supportive resources that removes all potential barriers (financial and otherwise) to the completion of a degree or certificate program. By making the dream of attending and completing college a reality for Nashville State students, we provide those students a means of increasing their career potential, household income, and quality of life while also producing a skilled and talented workforce to meet Middle Tennessee's economic needs.
Background
Nashville State Community College has been a vital part of the Middle Tennessee community since 1970. The College currently enrolls over 8,000 students each semester in over 80 degree and certificate programs, preparing students for transfer to four-year universities or immediate entry into the workforce. This variety of degree and certification pathways serves the diverse needs of our student body and aligns with Middle Tennessee's increasing demand for a well-educated and skilled workforce. Nashville State graduates are an important component of our region's strong and rapidly growing economy, completing their studies work-ready with the 'middle skills' employers need most.
Historically the NSCC Foundation's primary focus was on scholarship support, but in recent years our state's innovative last-dollar scholarship programs, TN Promise and TN Reconnect, have removed the barrier of tuition for most Tennesseans. This investment in students has allowed our Foundation to think much more holistically about student success, because while Promise and Reconnect have dramatically increased access to higher education in our communities, they have also illuminated the breadth and depth of the systemic, structural challenges that many of our students experience. It's clear that getting to school is not the same as getting through school. Thus, the majority of the Foundation's current projects and programs are geared toward:
· Directly addressing the costs of higher education that extend beyond tuition, such as textbooks, technology, transportation, food security, childcare, and so on, and
· Supporting the College's efforts to address academic achievement gaps across our student population and improve graduation and retention rates.
Throughout this realignment, the NSCC Foundation continues to oversee 24 existing scholarships for Nashville State students.
Impact
Since 1994, the Nashville State Foundation has worked to remove financial barriers and prepare students for educational and career success. We are deeply committed to closing the educational achievement and economic prosperity gaps in our community and developing equity in higher education by holistically addressing the needs of our student population. We believe in the importance of meeting differently-situated students where they are in life, honoring their experiences as individuals, and organizing our resources in strategic ways to ensure that they can realize their full potential.
The Foundation supports student success through:
· Financial assistance that goes, as we say, Beyond Financial Aid to provide textbooks and supplies, transportation, nutritional assistance, and childcare
· Emergency funding for students experiencing hardship in times of crisis via our Helping Hand Fund
· Academic program support, including improvements to infrastructure and technology
· Financial support for experiential education and cultural enrichment activities
Our ongoing work includes a continued focus on the following:
· Improving student retention and graduation rates
· Strengthening community partnerships and leveraging partners' expertise, infrastructure, and resources to better serve students
· Providing access to and training on current and emerging equipment and technology
· Building strong programs that meet Nashville's workforce development needs
· Developing pathways to jobs
Needs
· Financial support to fund need-based and program-specific initiatives
· Academic program support for curriculum development and equipment purchases and upgrades
· Professional development opportunities for faculty and staff
· Capital outlay and funding support to provide the College with additional operating dollars in lieu of reduced public funding
CEO Statement
Nashville State Community College Foundation's primary role is to support the students of Nashville State Community College and to raise funds that strengthen the programming of the College. Our goal is to develop financial resources that expand access to higher education in order to further Middle Tennessee's workforce and economic development. Nashville State Community College offers high demand academic degree and certificate programs to more than 8,000 students each semester.
Many of our students qualify as low-income, and over 70% receive financial aid in the form of grants and/or scholarships. More than 57% of our students attend part-time and many hold down full-time jobs while attending. Our students overcome tremendous obstacles to get their educations, but their time spent at the College provides them with the skills necessary for a successful future in the workforce or as they pursue additional education at four-year universities.
Our graduates contribute to the economic sustainability of the region and provide area businesses with a steady stream of qualified employees; approximately 80% of Nashville State's graduates reside in Middle Tennessee after graduation. Additionally, Nashville State provides education and training for area businesses, further strengthening the regional workforce. Nashville State Community College is a sound investment not only in the lives of our students, but also in Middle Tennessee's future.
Board Chair Statement
In today's competitive workforce, higher education is essential for career success. Nashville State Community College equips its students with the tools necessary to be successful contributors to the workforce. To sustain the Middle Tennessee economy, everyone needs to have the chance to complete a college education or obtain advanced and/or technical career training. Our efforts are led by our dedicated Board of Trustees, representing a broad cross-section of business and community leaders who are committed to expanding access to higher education, promoting student success, and furthering regional workforce and economic development. Several of our Board members are alumni of Nashville State or other community colleges, so they understand first-hand the impact that a community college education can have on a person's future.
Tennessee's two signature community college scholarship programs, Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, have changed the landscape of higher education in our state; tuition-free community college education is now a reality for nearly all Tennesseans. But we know that tuition assistance alone doesn't guarantee student success. The hidden costs of transportation, housing, textbooks, and more continue to serve as barriers to graduation. Programs and services that offer increased academic support and mentorship for students are just as important in helping students achieve their dreams of completing college. With this in mind, the Foundation is working to raise funds that support our students in a more holistic fashion.
Another challenge is the need for additional funds to continually improve academic programs and provide faculty with professional development on the newest research, technologies, and methods. Both academia and industry are ever-evolving and it is critical that students are taught using the newest tools and techniques. I have seen this institution change people's lives and I know that, with the support of the Middle Tennessee community, Nashville State can be a driving force of community and economic development in the region and the answer for so many individuals who want to make a difference for themselves and their careers. Thank you for your support of Nashville State Community College and, most importantly, our students.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Scholarships & Student Financial Aid |
| Secondary Category: | Education - Undergraduate Colleges |
| Tertiary Category: | Education - Two-Year Colleges |
Areas Served
The College's seven-county service area of Middle Tennessee includes Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, and Stewart Counties (though students do enroll at Nashville State from a wider geographic area that extends beyond these counties). Nashville State has campus locations in West Nashville, Donelson, Antioch, Dickson, Waverly, and Clarksville, with a campus in Madison slated to open in 2021.
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Houston |
| TN - Humphreys |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Stewart |
