Tennessee Promise students head to ‘academic boot camp’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Hundreds of Tennessee Promise students across the state are beginning an inaugural three-week “academic boot camp” to help them overcome some of the challenges that officials say are typically faced by first-generation college students.
The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/1CAxaNa ) reports that more than 750 Tennessee Promise students were expected to attend the voluntary Tennessee Promise Summer Bridge Program, which began on Monday and is taking place at each of the 13 public community colleges in the state.
Krissy DeAlejandro, executive director of tnAchieves, a nonprofit that works with the state to guide Tennessee Promise students, says research shows that first-generation college students, Tennessee Promise’s target population, are the most likely to drop out early. Challenges include the academic rigor of higher education, as well as culture shock on campus for some.
