COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Upper Cumberland Tennessee Reconnect Community will host a kick-off event to promote adult learner resources and services on March 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Cookeville Higher Education Campus.
The launch event, one of several scheduled to be held throughout the Upper Cumberland, will provide adults interested in returning to college the opportunity to interact with UCTRC advisors and higher education representatives, attend short seminars centered on workforce and college preparation, and learn the next steps in the re-enrollment process.
“We are excited to launch the UCTRC and invite adults from Putnam and the surrounding counties in the Upper Cumberland to join us on March 19,” stated Cindy Taylor, UCTRC director. “We are here to help adults interested in returning to finish college or adults ready to turbocharge their career by changing their college focus to take advantage of this one-stop-shop opportunity.”
The launch, which will be held at CHEC, 1000 Neal St., Cookeville, will bring together higher education representatives from all over the region: Nashville State Community College, Tennessee Tech University, Tennessee Centers of Applied Technology, and Volunteer State Community College.
The UCTRC is one of three Tennessee communities established through a statewide initiative to create a network of advisors for adult learners who are interested in completing a postsecondary education credential. Employing a director, Cindy Taylor, and three advisors, Teri Anderson, Karen Fesler and Jenny Partin, the UCTRC will provide virtual and real connecting places throughout the region for adult learners 25 to 64 years old to receive advising, support, and personalized path to and through college. Connections to local employers and higher education institutions will be included.
“The Upper Cumberland Tennessee Reconnect Community will play a significant role in bolstering our workforce by helping adults in our community overcome obstacles and better themselves by completing a degree or credential,” stated Randy Porter, Putnam County Executive. “Increasing the education level is the start to reducing poverty and unemployment and increasing our quality of life.”
The Tennessee Reconnect initiative is part of Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 plans to ensure 55% of Tennesseans are equipped with a college degree or certificate by 2025, in order to meet job market demands.
The Highlands Economic Partnership (HEP), on behalf of the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee and in collaboration with local leaders from the community, employers and higher education institutions, received one of three initial Reconnect Community grants awarded by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) in the fall of 2015. HEP, founded by the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce to be a regional economic development engine through marketing, advocacy, and workforce development and education programs is the lead organization and fiscal agent administering the UCTRC grant. Additional supporting partners in the establishment and operation of the Upper Cumberland Tennessee Reconnect Community include Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville Higher Education Campus, TCAT-Livingston, Upper Cumberland Development District, Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency, and local government, chambers of commerce, leaders, and employers of the Upper Cumberland.
Recipients of Tennessee Reconnect Community grants were chosen through a competitive application process. The grant program is administered by THEC and subgrants are funded by the State of Tennessee, with technical assistance funded by Lumina Foundation.
For more information, follow us on Twitter at @ucreconnect and like our Facebook page at UCreconnect.
###
Upper Cumberland Tennessee Reconnect Community to host kick-off event, promoting adult learner resources and services. Left to right: Dr. Teri Anderson, UCTRC Advisor, Karen Fesler, UCTRC Advisor, Cindy Taylor, UCTRC Director, and Jenny Partin, UCTRC Advisor.