Roane State Tennessee Promise students lead state in persistence

Data recently presented to the Tennessee Board of Regents indicated Tennessee Promise students are outperforming their peers in various success measures, and Roane State’s students are leading the way, a press release said.

The first class of Tennessee Promise students entered college in the fall of 2015. Through the spring semester of 2017, 56.2 percent were still enrolled, have earned a college credential, or transferred to a four-year university, the press release said.

At Roane State, the persistence rate was 65 percent, the best among Tennessee’s 13 community colleges, the release said.

“We are proud that Roane State’s Tennessee Promise students have shown the grit and determination to stay in school and complete,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. “I also greatly appreciate the efforts of our faculty and staff to make sure students have the support they need to be successful.”

Roane State offers innovative student support services that help students stay on track.

• COLS 1010 course: The course teaches students how to study and helps them explore career options.
• Curriculum maps: Roane State faculty and staff developed detailed curriculum maps that show students what courses they need to take, when they need to take them, and tasks, such as submitting their FAFSA, that they need to complete.
• Success Coaches: First-time, degree-seeking students are assigned an expert success coach who works one-on-one with students during their freshman year.

Upcoming projects include enhancing student scheduling and making advising mandatory.

“We are dedicated to the success of our students,” Whaley said. “It’s a team effort, and we will continue to lead the way to ensure every Roane State student can reach their goals.”

This press release was submitted by Owen Driskill.