The Tennessee College Access and Success Network announced today that it was awarded a $225,000 grant from The Kresge Foundation to continue its work expanding higher education access and success for low-income and underrepresented students. The grant will also be used to build on a new mission to advance efforts to improve college success for Tennessee students through research, facilitation, best practices and expertise.
“The Kresge Foundation’s continued support and multiple commitments, not only to the Network but across the state of Tennessee, has helped to transform the college-going landscape for so many students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to go to college,” said Bob Obrohta, executive director of TCASN. “We are grateful for all the support The Kresge Foundation provides to help low-income students access and succeed in higher education.”
“Our desire is to see this grant significantly improve access and college completion for Tennessee students wishing to pursue higher education,” said Ashley Johnson, Education Program Officer at The Kresge Foundation. “We are proud to support the work of the Tennessee College Access and Success Network in this effort and look forward to being a productive partner on this important undertaking.”
The Kresge Foundation grant supports TCASN over the next three years while the organization broadens and deepens partnerships with communities and higher education institutions interested in improving their college completion results, continues facilitating connections between those in the field of college access in an effort to scale best practices and remove barriers to higher education for underrepresented students, and expands its board and development efforts.
“For over a decade, the Tennessee College Access and Success Network has worked to increase access and success for all Tennessee students, particularly those with high-financial need and from traditionally underserved communities,” said Katie Brock TCASN interim board of directors’ chair and senior director at the University of Texas at Austin. “This support from the Kresge Foundation allows us to reach even more students and communities with enhanced efforts and services to help students attain degrees or certifications.”
The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening pathways to opportunity for low-income people in America’s cities, seeking to dismantle structural and systemic barriers to equality and justice. Using a full array of grant, loan, and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change. For more information visit kresge.org.