The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been selected as one of eight universities and colleges to receive a $25,000 grant as a member of the inaugural Promising Practice Accelerator for the American Talent Initiative.  

The university has set a bold vision to enhance all students’ persistence and graduation rates, emphasizing low-income students and other special populations. “We’re honored to be chosen for this inaugural grant. This grant further allows us to transform the student experience and supports critical goals in the university’s strategic vision,” Amber Williams, vice provost for Student Success, said. “By challenging our students and developing the systems to support them, we believe our Volunteers will thrive.”  

This fall, the accelerator grant will allow UT to pilot a transformative experience for more than 100 low-income new Volunteers. UT will develop a customized summer bridge program, personalized academic support, and facilitate financial wellness resources and conversations by creating a comprehensive approach to student well-being and success. 

“We are excited for this opportunity to enhance the Volunteer experience for students on campus. The ATI initiative aligns well with UT’s access mission and will further help students achieve their educational goals,” Kari Alldredge, vice provost for the Division of Enrollment Management, said. “We are grateful to have been selected among seven other outstanding schools across the country and cannot wait to see how the grant-supported initiative positively impacts the lives of our students.” 

Bloomberg Philanthropies fund the grant. The other seven schools selected include Barnard College (New York, NY), Hope College (Holland, MI), Lebanon Valley College (Annville, PA), Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ), Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY), University of Dayton (Dayton, OH), and Wofford College (Spartanburg, SC). ATI facilitates research, practice-sharing, and communications campaigns around presidential leadership, access and affordability, community college transfer, student veteran engagement, and student success and equity in the academic experience. With this support, members can make measurable progress toward aspirational lower-income student enrollment goals and minimize equity-based graduation gaps by 2025. To learn more about ATI, visit www.americantalentinitiative.org.