Returning to school has been an exciting experience and I am glad I had the opportunity to attend Chattanooga State. After working as a mechanic for 10 years, I decided to go back to school but a year into my engineering degree; I did a major change to Theater Arts and joined the Professional Actors Training Program (PATP). I have enjoyed every bit of it, from the instructors to my classmates, to all the productions we have put together in the last two years. The mixture of classes in the program helps dive deep into what it takes to become a working actor, plus it has helped liven my DJ performances.

Thanks to the Tennessee Reconnect grant I have been able to attend classes at no cost and will continue classes after earning my PATP to pursue my AFA in Theater Arts. I plan to transfer for my BFA after that or move to a bigger city and act. I am still undecided about where I will go but am excited about the journey. I want to thank everyone at ChattState that helped get me there, especially the financial aid office and my instructors! If you are considering going back to school, do not hesitate, there are always a million reasons not to do something, so go for it.

Earning a college degree was something I always dreamed about and planned on, however it has come in a different order than I originally anticipated. I was married to my best friend shortly after my 19th birthday (we will be celebrating our 11th anniversary this December!) and soon after, we were pregnant with our first child. After a traumatic and life-threatening birth for the baby, we learned she had a very rare, genetic skin condition, which would affect her for the rest of her life. I quickly realized I needed to postpone finishing school for a time, and focus on being a stay at home mom. Just shy of age 25, two little boys joined our family and we were a family of five.

As those early years passed and our family grew, I began to wonder if I would be able to return to school due to the financial burden it would impose on our family. During this time I also began an ongoing battle with depression and anxiety, which only furthered my desire to become more educated on how to help myself and others who struggle in similar ways. Years later when I learned about the TN Reconnect program, that I could return to school tuition free and part-time, I felt relief from the fear of a financial burden and excitement again about returning to school one day. I could even return at a pace I could manage, while keeping my priorities where I wanted them - with my family. While I’ve had to make some temporary sacrifices and I’m still learning how to balance all the things, I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to finish my education, thanks to the TN Reconnect Program. None of this would be possible without the support of my family or those at the school.

Don’t ever doubt yourself or feel like it’s too late to go back to school. It is never too late to gain an education. “Education is the difference between wishing you could help other people and being able to help them.” - Russell M. Nelson

I first began my journey at Chattanooga State in August of 2000 majoring in the pharmacy technician program. In May 2002, I graduated with a 3.263 GPA. Following graduation, I finished six weeks of clinicals to gain hands-on experience in pharmacy, while also working my first pharmacy job at Eckerd’s Pharmacy. Soon thereafter, I took the national PTCB board exam. In July 2002, I passed the exam and became a certified pharmacy technician.

During my 17 years as a CPht, I've worked in a compounding laboratory where I compounded specialty medications to meet patient’s needs. I'm currently employed at the Erlanger Hospital main campus pharmacy.

For several years, I've been wanting to further my education to take my career to the next level but, like most adults, the issue has been finding the right schedule and financial assistance to help pay for school. At the beginning of 2019, I came across an ad about Tennessee Reconnect. I researched all the benefits and qualifications about the program, contacted all sources, and submitted an application, which was a great success. I returned to Chattanooga State in fall 2019 to fulfill my goal in furthering my education and taking my career to the next level. I am majoring in Health Science and thereafter, expanding the level of my career to a forensic science laboratory technician.

Although things have changed during the pandemic working as a healthcare professional has been quite an adventure. Thankfully, I have been able to assist with the care of patients and meanwhile stay healthy as well. Through this journey, I have also been able to finish my degree with the support of family and friends. Special thank you to Ms. Marsha Barker the director of Tennessee Reconnect at Chattanooga State and LaKita Curtis the navigator of Tennessee Reconnect who navigates the eastern region. These two ladies have been phenomenal and have done such a great job in taking the time to answer any questions and helping me overall with the process of furthering my education and leveling up my career.

I am proud to say thanks to Tennessee Reconnect. I encourage anyone to never give up on your dreams and goals – just continue to walk by faith; there's always time for growth.

My college journey has been a little unconventional because a college degree was never something that was on my radar. I could never settle on a career path so I always struggled with the idea of going to college and having no clear path forward because of my inability to decide what I wanted to do.

I joined the workforce immediately following high school, and married at the age of 21. A couple years after that I started a career in the Laborers Union working mainly in nuclear power. After more than twelve years in nuclear I started to realize that in order to further my career the way I wanted to, I was going to need a college degree, but that seemed like an impossible task at this point in my life. Not only the financial aspect of it, but also the time I would have to invest seemed unrealistic. By that time my wife and I had four amazing children. My oldest son has a rare genetic disorder (Dup15q Syndrome) and autism. Needless to say, being a husband, father of four, including a child with complex medical needs, and working full-time gave me all the excuses I needed not to go to college and settle with where I was in my career.

When I found out about TN Reconnect, I realized I could go to school part-time. This seemed manageable even considering how busy my life was, and I could do it at almost no cost to me. Suddenly, going to college seemed like more of a reality than it had in the past. I talked to my wife about it and she whole heartedly encouraged me to go for it. She has been my biggest supporter as I’ve been going to Chattanooga State and I never could have done it without her help and without the Reconnect program.

I would encourage anyone who is in a similar position to take advantage of the Reconnect program. It’s not easy juggling all of life’s responsibilities and going to college as an adult, but most things that are worthwhile aren’t easy. I’m grateful that TN Reconnect has given me the opportunity to pursue a college degree and further my career. I know that I am giving my family a better future because of TN Reconnect.

2021 Graduate with Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing

I was terribly ill-equipped to succeed in college after first graduating high school. I did intend to one day obtain a degree but felt that I lacked the discipline fresh out of school and needed some time to mature before making such a commitment. I wanted some “me time,” time to find out who I was and what I really wanted, so, I joined the Marine Corps. Yeah, good call, right?

They say life is what happens while we’re busy making plans. Before I had a chance to go back to school as I originally planned, I was married and the father of three kids. After serving my time “maturing” in the Marines, I began working as a firefighter and became certified as a paramedic. I loved the job and wanted to do more in the medical field, but I had a family to support. I simply could not afford to go to school, it was a matter of both time and money.  Thirty years goes by faster than you think.

Fast forward: The kids have grown and gone away to college, the military, and started their own families. I’m working as a flight paramedic with Erlanger’s Life Force Air Medical Services and work with some of the most confident, capable, and brightest nurses in the nation, many of them graduates of Chattanooga State’s nursing program.  I consider myself fortunate to work alongside them and have long wanted to go back to school and get my nursing degree, but the money for tuition, right? Wrong.

My wife told me about the Tennessee Reconnect Program. She is a college graduate herself and a tremendous advocate for continuing education, and she guided me to the application. I was elated to see that I qualified and eager to begin attending classes! If only I could manage to complete the coursework, my nursing degree was within arm’s reach! 

I can’t say enough good things about all of Chattanooga State’s faculty and staff who’ve helped me along the way. Going back to school is challenging, but in a positive way! If I can do it, you can too!

As a young child I experienced a lot of mental and physical traumas, and as a result, I began experimenting with drugs at the age of twelve. By the time I was eighteen years of age I was addicted to marijuana, smoking every day, which led me to drop out of high school my junior year because I couldn’t focus anymore. One of the rules in my home was that us kids would either go to school or get a job, so I chose work. I knew how to work because I saw my mom work her fingers to the bone to raise five kids on her own and she did it well. By the time I was in my early twenties I was experimenting with many other drugs and partying almost every night. In fact, I was completely addicted.

When my daughter was born, I had not planned to be a single mom. Instead, I had dreams of a two-parent home with a dog, a white picket fence, and a career of becoming a psychologist. I wanted to help young girls that had been abused like myself, but my addiction destroyed those dreams and many more. When I got clean, my only goal was to make sure that my daughter was safe and that she got a well-rounded education. I had given up on my dreams of becoming a psychologist. I felt as though I was too old to go to college and that my credit and my credibility with financial aid had been destroyed. When my daughter was just a young child, my addiction and my struggles as a single parent were a lot. I tried to attend college but after several failed attempts, I chose work over education.

I can remember dropping my daughter off at Alabama State University, which was one of the proudest moments of my life. With tears in my eyes as my daughter hugged me tightly and said goodbye, she whispered in my ear and said, “Mom, why don’t you go to college while I’m in college?” I laughed a little because I had not thought about college in years and I didn’t believe at this point my brain could even function in school, but over the several years I thought a lot about it. Because of my recovery old dreams were reawakening, and new possibilities arose. My dreams of becoming a psychologist were coming back to life and the encouragement that I was receiving from family and friends in recovery prompted me to start researching options.

When I found about Tennessee Reconnect, I didn’t really believe that I would be accepted but I applied anyway and what a life changer this has been for me. I have been clean for 15 years. I was able to attend Chattanooga State at my own pace and many of my fears of inadequacy are gone. I graduated with my associate degree in fall of 2021. I am working toward getting my LADACS with plans of continuing for my bachelor’s degree in psychology. Thank you, Marsha Barker, for all of your encouragement and Tennessee Reconnect for making my dreams possible.

I consider myself an unconventional graduate of Chattanooga State Community College. My journey through life and the pursuit of a higher education degree began when I graduated high school in 2010. I, like many people, was unsure of what I wanted to do for my future career. I knew that I wanted to go to college, but I was afraid that I would make the wrong decision and end up regretting my choice. I always believed in the saying, “chase the job that you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” so I decided to go into the workforce instead and save money for school until I figured it out. At the time, my family was unable to send me to college and warned about acquiring student loan debt, so I decided to save enough money for my first couple of semesters at college, which involved working a full-time job along with living in an apartment on my own. It was a challenging time in my life, but it taught me responsibility and the importance of a college education.

After three years of working, I had saved enough money and at the urging of wise friends and family, went back to school at Chattanooga State. Luckily, Chattanooga State offered a flexible schedule, so that I could still work full-time and take my classes part-time. Knowing my journey would be long and challenging, I was determined to succeed after finally discovering I wanted a career in criminal justice. Through the guidance of God, family, and friends, I came to the conclusion that I was meant to help and protect the society in which I lived and it strengthened my resolve.

Without a doubt there were difficulties along the way such as loads of homework, long hours of studying, and papers to write, but these trials taught me how to better manage my time and plan ahead, which has been a valuable resource to me to this day. The people that I surrounded myself with also made a great difference as well. My grandmother, mother, and father all gave me words of encouragement to do my very best and they supported me with what they could, such as providing my textbooks and school supplies.

As I progressed through school, I encountered another turning point in my life by marrying the love of my life. This commitment certainly added more responsibilities and pressures to the attainment of my education, but the strengths and blessings that I gained from my marriage have far outweighed them and have only added to my success. My wife and I faced financial struggles at first because we had extra bills, two car payments, her student loans, and were trying to save for a house in addition to paying for my schooling. It was challenging, but she was always there to encourage me to keep working hard and finish my education because she knew how much it meant to me and our future as a married couple. This endless support helped me the most because I wanted to provide the best for my wife and future family. My wife’s patience, understanding, and education assisted me greatly in completing all of my assignments, homework, and even classes. She has truly been a blessing in my life and a large part of my success as a graduate of Chattanooga State.

Towards the end of my journey as a student, the TN Reconnect grant became available for adults age 24 and older. TN Reconnect gave me the opportunity to gain free tuition for the rest of my time in college and allowed me to graduate earlier than I had expected. I couldn’t be more thankful or blessed for this opportunity and I would encourage all students to apply for this program. To all the unconventional students that might be considering going back to college, I would encourage you to not let the opportunity pass you by. It’s never too late to follow your dreams and you’ll never regret it. My last words of wisdom are from Roy T. Bennett who says, “Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end.” Good luck!

2019 Graduate of ChattState with an Associate of Arts degree in History and 2020 Graduate of Tennessee Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree

As an older adult returning to school many years after a failed attempt at postsecondary education, I can honestly say that attending Chattanooga State Community College was one of the most exhilarating and transformative experiences in my adult life. The Tennessee Reconnect program helped provide for a new direction in my professional career goals, and the staff, faculty, and administration at Chattanooga State helped provide the pathway for a new journey of learning, academic goals, and achievement. As the dedicated professors were my champions, I am thrilled to champion the cause of adults returning to school and lead the Chattanooga State Alumni Association in honoring the successes that have occurred here through our fifty-plus year history of making a difference in the region.

When I arrived at the school, I had a vision in mind, pursuing an associate degree in History, just to prove to myself that I could succeed in accomplishing an educational goal. With a record of academic success and the guidance of advisors, I decided to keep going forward toward a bachelor’s degree, having the confidence and academic discipline I learned at Chattanooga State. In May of this year (2021), I earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Tennessee Tech University, something I would never have imagined just a few short years ago. As my passion for learning has only grown in these past four years, I am now nearing the completion of a master’s degree at Tennessee Tech in May of next year, and this thought exceeds my wildest dreams. I would never have pictured this, even since I was young. Yes, it is hard work, I have to admit, but I have been encouraged by so many people who have set amazing examples, especially among the adult students at Chattanooga State.

During my time here, I was honored in a variety of ways, achieving success, receiving awards, and asked to share my story often, however, I think I had an easier path than most others. I have said it in the past, and I’ll always say this going forward; adult students who are going to school, while working, raising a family, and taking care of others, all in order to achieve their dreams and earn better opportunities, are my heroes. And there are many heroes at Chattanooga State! I cannot express enough how much I admire the courage and dedication it takes for adult students to step out in faith and give higher education a try. I think about the amazing students who are making a difference as they work toward their goals and set examples for all of us and those they love. I wish all the best to the faculty, staff, and leaders at this amazing institution, and most of all- best wishes to the students who make up this campus community and have found learning to be a life-long experience.

2020 Graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Hello, my name is Latonya Henderson. I graduated high school in 1997 and decided to attend Chattanooga State to further my education to prepare for the future. I enrolled in the fall semester, but to my demise, I became a college drop out. I was no longer confident of my success as a college student. 

Thereafter I began working for a manufacturing facility where I was employed for 20 years. In 2009, I returned to college to pursue a degree in Business Management. The journey was pursued with great effort. Essentially, I restarted with developmental courses and then moved onto college courses for as long as I could while maintaining a full-time job. As time progressed, my classes grew more intense. I chose to abandon my course of study and concluded that college was not ideal. 

In 2017, my sister-in-law (Tassany Henderson) and I had a conversation regarding college. She asked me if I would be interested in going back to school. My response immediately was no! Her eagerness to convince me led to sharing information regarding the Tennessee Reconnect program. In 2018, I was fully committed to grow and utilize my gifts. In the fall semester, I enrolled in the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program. I carefully selected this major and determined that it would suit me because of my passion to help people. The road was not easy but well worth it.

I graduated fall 2020 with an AAS in Hospitality and Tourism Management. I did not know what to expect due to the impact of the pandemic. In 2021, I was blessed with the opportunity to begin a career in the Hotel Industry in Nashville, TN. I foresee this as an opportunity to grow, gain more knowledge within the Hotel and learn all I can. Again, I cannot express how thankful I am for the opportunity to return to college through the Tennessee Reconnect Program. One piece of advice that I would share with an adult returning to college would be to cherish your vision, realize that it is never too late to pursue your passion and know that the staff at Chattanooga State is there to support your journey.

Deciding to go back to school in my thirties was a big decision. After rekindling my love of technology I began looking for programs that would prepare me for a job in IT in which I found Cyber Security to be a fascinating field. I began researching it and looking into the job market growth which seemed to be quite substantial over the next decade. Chattanooga State offered 3 focuses within the Information Systems concentration Programming, Networking, and Cyber Security. The mixture of networking and programming involved in the Cyber Security concentration garnered my attention from the beginning. Now 2 years later I am finishing my program with an A.A.S in Cyber Security with intention to transfer my degree to W.G.U and finish my Bachelors. I have achieved certifications in Network+ and Security+ with an upcoming certification exam for CySA+ in January. I have managed a 4.0 since returning as an adult student and gained membership in both the Spire National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.

Student life at Chattanooga State has been a wonderful experience. With a multitude of programs aimed at student learning and integration it has not been hard to find it as a new home away from home. The staff in my field of study has been wonderful and always provided a platform in which I could excel and have the access I needed to learn in a friendly environment.

Tennessee Reconnect helped play a large role in my returning to Chattanooga State as an adult learner. With the stresses and responsibilities of everyday life many adults find it hard to contemplate the financial stress of student loan debt nor do they want to take on such a burden. Tennessee Reconnect provided an opportunity for me to return to school without having to worry about anything other than paying for my own books, although there is an opportunity to receive a scholarship for your books as well! The process is very streamlined and easy to navigate with someone willing to help every step of the way. Never once did I have any issues in my process to sign up or obtain TN Reconnect and if I had any questions along the way I always had someone there to provide an answer. My experience at Chattanooga State has been nothing short of exceptional and I hope that many others will choose to take advantage of the wonderful atmosphere, environment, and programs that they offer.

My story begins more than 20 years ago. After graduating from High-School in 1998, I enrolled in college to pursue a degree in accounting. I married shortly thereafter, and after obtaining a job related to the field I was majoring in, I decided to quit college. I focused on my family and worked full-time. A few years later, I was blessed with a son, then a daughter. I had the opportunity to stay home with each child until they started school. When my youngest child went to school, I began to rethink my decision to quit college many years earlier. I went to work part-time to fill my days with a local Head Start Agency. Head Start is a big supporter of education and improving your life, along with the life of your family. I noticed that many of the people I worked with had obtained their degrees later in life, and they were great at what they did!

I started to think about returning to college, but there were factors that had prohibited me from returning in the past. The first was a matter of convenience. Getting to campus would be tough. Then Chattanooga State expanded their Kimball Site. It was close to where I live and work. The number of classes available online had also increased over the years. My other issue was the tuition. I did not want to rack up student debt to go back to college. Then I heard about Tennessee Reconnect being revised and learned that I might qualify for tuition costs to be paid. I checked into it, and I did qualify. Now all the reasons that once kept me from returning to classes were gone. The only thing standing in my way was myself. I decided to get past my fear of failure and go for it. I was out of excuses.

I enrolled in Chattanooga State during the Fall 2017 semester to complete a degree I started more than 19 years earlier. I am projected to finish my transfer degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting at the end of the Summer 2019 semester.

 I have been fortunate to have the support of my husband, family and my coworkers while working to obtain my degree. There also have been numerous people at Chattanooga State that have helped me stay on track and offer advice. One professor in particular was always willing to help me when I had questions relating to her subject area. As long as I was willing to work on my subjects and learn, I have had all of the resources that I need available to me.

 Not only will I soon have the satisfaction of fulfilling a dream that I started many years ago, I have the opportunity to show others, especially my children, that a person can achieve success if they work hard and have the right support system. I had to get past a fear of failing. I have found out that I am a better student than I was twenty years ago.  I have maturity and life experiences on my side this time. I have been, and am going to be successful, and I have figured out that I have the ability to lead and encourage others to tackle things that they have put off in life because of excuses or fear of failing. I am living my life in a way that shows my children and those around me that with hard work and determination you can accomplish great things!

As a wife and mother of two children, ages 9 and 14, I have been interested in fitness and weight training since I was 12-years-old when my older brother taught me how to lift. I went to work straight out of high school and worked my way up in the company by whom I was employed. After I married, I quit my job to become a stay-at-home wife and mother for the last 18 years.

Since my children were older and in school, I was ready to go back to work but had no idea where to start. My husband had been suggesting that I go back to school to get a degree, but I was always worried about the expense of college. It was at this time that I looked up Chattanooga State to see what degrees they offered and found out about TN Reconnect. I had always told my husband, if I could go to school for free, I would go back in a heartbeat. I never dreamed a program like TN Reconnect would come along. It has been a blessing.

The financial part was well taken care of, but then fear set in about the workload, studying, and being a 41-year-old woman in college. Of course, it is nothing like I had imagined it would be. The workload and studying are very time consuming, but it is not as bad as I thought it would be after being out of school for so long. Being on a college campus has not been uncomfortable at all. I’ve been mistaken for a professor a few times, but the younger students I’ve worked with have been great and treat me like any other student. The professors and staff at Chattanooga State have been amazingly patient and helpful, which has made my college experience so much better.

I had been out of school for 22 years when I decided to go back. I met with an advisor and started down the path to become a Certified Personal Trainer through Chattanooga State’s Wellness and Fitness Leadership program. I’m finally getting a degree, but the best part is I’m getting a degree in an area that I absolutely love. I am beginning my sophomore year in August and I absolutely love college. At this time, I have a 4.0 average, have been inducted into two honor societies, and plan to graduate with my associate degree in the Spring of 2019.

Going back to school has been one the best decisions of my life. I have gained so much confidence in myself. When I tell people my major, some people look at me like I’m crazy, but I believe people should follow their dreams, no matter what their age. I am, and will continue to be, living proof that age is just a number because I know I can do anything I set my mind to with hard work and determination. I still have a long way to go to become the “me” I want to be, but quitting is not an option and going back to college was the first major step in my journey. I encourage everyone I know to go back to school and get a degree. There has never been a better time or a better opportunity to go back than right now. Don’t just dream, make your dreams a reality.

Someone once told me that community college is a loser’s last resort. I want to destroy this perception in my community and tell others what I found to be true, abundantly true. Community college is a vital community resource. It is the oxygen for the dreams of our community. TBR’s community colleges are the solution to many of the problems plaguing our communities. I want everyone to understand the value of education. I am setting the example for others in my community to change their lives via the transformative power of Tennessee’s community colleges. 

As a child, I was fascinated with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Even as young as seven-years-old, his compassion for humanity inspired me. I was very interested in finding solutions to problems and helping others even as a kid. Like Dr. King, serving others has been a central force in my life. Regrettably, I did not complete my high school education. 

I eventually completed my GED and decided to come to Chattanooga State more than two decades later when I heard of a program called Tennessee Reconnect. From the first college class, I knew my purpose was to do for others what was graciously done for me. With every class, I have solidified this objective. At the age of forty-six, I can confidently say that I know why I am on this earth today. My life has trained me to get to this point and take this opportunity, and I am pursuing a degree in psychology to do exactly that.   

Becoming a psychologist is a role I have been preparing for my whole life. I initially had one goal once I became an adult: to make a livable wage. Once I was a mother, that goal changed to providing for my daughter. When she became disabled from a car accident, my goal changed to keep my head above water and not give up on my daughter. I worked a job to provide for my baby and made a decent living, but all the while, I knew I needed to go to college and get an education so I could help others heal from the trauma I lived in. 

The value of education is more important to me now than ever. It is not easy to maintain a 4.0 GPA while being active in clubs /campus activities being a wife, mother, and woman. It is a real sacrifice to do the work you have been called to do. I see in my community so many areas where psychology clinics and workshops to promote healing are needed. This motivates me to keep going and work hard to achieve my degree. 

Currently, I speak to the adult education class for HISET twice a week to tell them my story. I want them to know I sat in that seat trying to figure it out, and it is okay.  I have the opportunity to share my journey with others and to inspire them that age is just a number. My husband graduated from Chattanooga State and is now at UTC pursuing a degree in mechatronics. He has been promoted in his job twice since graduating. Because of Tennessee Reconnect it has changed my household.  

I also help others in my community through my nonprofit called Empowered Connections. My education gives me exceptional guidance. The connections I am making with my classes are helping me do the work to heal others in my community. Recently I was chosen as the Student of the Year of the southeast region for SOAR this was something that could never have happened if not for Tennessee Reconnect. I want others in my community to understand the value of education, I want others to take advantage of Tennessee Reconnect … it is a life-changing opportunity. I will graduate in the Spring of 2022 with honors. It is all because of Tennessee Reconnect. 

I used to think I would never have the opportunity to go back to school and earn a degree. My father passed away when I was 15 and my mother, being Japanese and reserved about her English in social circumstances, was not very involved with our education as far as consulting with teachers or other activities. My younger sisters had an easier time, but being the eldest, I always had to fight for everything. I really didn’t have any mentors to help guide me along a career path while I was growing up, and I had to learn everything the hard way.

I was extremely shy back then, but I did know that after Star Wars came out, I wanted to be a special effects makeup artist, and no matter how much people thought I could never do anything like that, I was determined to prove them wrong.

I saved my money, moved to Los Angeles, worked several jobs to support myself, and had many exciting adventures. I had the opportunity to talk with Frank Westmore (who came from a family line of Hollywood’s most famous makeup artists), and he referred me to an apprenticeship program. It was a year-long waiting list, however, and since life continued to happen, I ended up on a different path and sacrificed my dream.

Now, forty-two years later, and thanks to the Reconnect Program, I’m back in school and having the time of my life learning all about television production, radio broadcasting, and more, as I’m finally working towards an A.A.S. degree in Digital Media Design and Production.

I’m not sure what kind of opportunities are out there for someone my age, but I do have a dream of getting a camper/RV and traveling around the country filming my own documentaries.

The Reconnect Program has been a great blessing and for those involved, I can’t thank you enough for giving me a purpose and goal in life once again. I no longer feel useless, trying to find something to do with myself. Every morning, I look forward to getting up and going to my classes, and unlike high school, I have a 4.0 grade point average (so far), which I hope to maintain and am just thrilled about!

Thanks again, to all those involved with the Reconnect Program, for giving me this great opportunity!

My name is Olga Powers. I am a 30-year-old resident of Red Bank, Tennessee. I moved here in 2011 to be closer to my family. I love playing soccer, reading and spending time with friends, my partner Paul, and our cat Zero. 

I initially went to college right out of high school in 2007 in Morristown, Tn., but I was undecided on a major at the time. Not knowing what I wanted to do career wise, I was unmotivated, and did not succeed in my courses. After three years I quit school and made plans to move to Chattanooga. Since then, I have been working different jobs, waiting tables, and other customer service jobs while I figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I always knew I wanted to do something that would have a positive impact on the lives of others, and finally came to the decision to go into nursing, focusing on behavioral health. I plan to earn my associate of applied science degree in Nursing at Chattanooga State, and proceed to get my BSN at UTC. 

The Tennessee Reconnect Grant has made it possible for me to return to school and advance my career. For the last year, I have been working as a patient care technician at Focus treatment centers, which is my first step in starting my career. I am very excited for the opportunity to learn and grow at Chattanooga State.

After I receive my BSN I hope to go on to get my Master’s degree to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, to help those struggling with mental health with their medication management, and overall well-being. Without Tennessee Reconnect I don't know that I would have been able to continue my education, as I'm not eligible for other federal aid. I am very thankful for this program.

It was not until a little after five years of being out of high school that I realized I wanted to do something more with my life. Many family dilemmas and personal problems put a pause on my education. However, once I moved to Tennessee and surrounded myself with loving people and other good influences, I knew it was time to resume my education and pursue the path that I believe God had in store for me. After hearing multiple people praise Chattanooga State Community College, I knew this would be the best place I could begin my educational journey.

With the dream of going into neurosurgery and hopefully working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one day to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s, I knew choosing the pre-med pathway would be extremely difficult. But it is that exact challenge that keeps me motivated in the first place. When I began classes, I knew I would have to sacrifice work to maintain the grades that I strive to get. Between work and school, I did not have much time for anything else, and unfortunately, I even had to sacrifice some personal relationships. Paying for the first year of college was very challenging, but I did my best to balance school, work, and relationships, even though it felt like I still was not doing enough. However, in the second year of college, I qualified for the Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship. Without having to worry about how I was going to pay for college, I was able to give my utmost focus to my studies and dedicate myself to my education so I could pursue the dream that is in my heart. I also had enough time to start rekindling the relationships that I let fell to the side.

Balancing school with personal life can be extremely stressful, but with the help of Tennessee Reconnect, I became more levelheaded, focused, and motivated. I maintained my 4.0 GPA and have had more time to apply for scholarships and schools. Recently, I was even named a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. I am truly blessed by all the help and love that I have been receiving. After realizing how hard college can be for some students, I decided to start tutoring General Chemistry I & II and Organic Chemistry I & II. Life can seem unbearable when obstacles become insurmountable, but I do not want to see fellow students fail because of the hardships that come our way. Everything that I have faced thus far in my life has made me the man that I am today. I would not be here if it were not for God, friends, family, all the staff and faculty at Chattanooga State, and fantastic opportunities such as Tennessee Reconnect. I pray that one day I can help my community just as much as it has helped me.

2021 Graduate with an Associate of Science degree in Social Work

Academia has never been my strongest suit growing up, to the point I had decided to drop out of high school and obtain my GED in order to “just get it over with” and complete the bare minimum to move on forward as a young adult. Looking back from 2004 (when I was supposed to graduate from high school) up until 2019, I relied upon my job experiences and opportunities that were in front of me to continue the path of finding my purpose in life. Of course, my priorities were different as well. It was for rebellious reasons or for family crisis/events and ensuring what seemed to be the right thing to do for what was going on around me. School, or furthering my education was something that was on my mind, however, in the end it was an afterthought since it wasn’t even my forte. I naively believed that education could provide more for me.

What I have realized in the last two years is that, with the additional education, not only does the opportunity provide me with renewed insight and perspectives of learning, while gaining knowledge…education most importantly to me, provides the chance to be able to do more and give more for what I finally have found passionately confident in being able to do through social work.

Chattanooga State was great way for me to be able to get back into school. After a very long absence, I was able to gain the confidence acquiring my ASW with Chattanooga State. I was accepted to Dalton State College for my Bachelor’s in Social Work, fall 2021, while continuing to be able to reside in Chattanooga. Thank you, Chattanooga State, and thank you for the encouragement with TN Reconnect for allowing a dream to begin to come true. A dream I did not know was a dream in the first place.

2022 Graduate with Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing

Like so many students, I tried college when I graduated high school. I thought this was the right decision because everyone else was going to college. After several attempts of not focusing on my studies, I realized college was not the right decision for me at this time. So, what caused me to continue my college career you ask? Here is how it happened.

Fast forward 10 years to being married with two kids. At the time, my wife was going to school and working to finish her degree. The kids were involved in extra curriculum activities at school and sports so now was still not the right time to go back to school. I thought about going back several times but, the only thing that was stopping me was my fear of failure, financial worries, and thinking about my age. I still remember talking with my wife about this situation and she always told me, “You never know until you try.” These words stuck with me and encourage me to go back to college. I also have a passion for helping others. At one time I was a Certified Pharmacy Technician and I really enjoyed serving the customer. I decided to pursue a career in nursing to continue this same passion for others. I remember talking with Ms. Kent, Nursing and Allied Health advisor, about my new career choice. Ms. Kent told me about TN Reconnect program which pays for students’ tuition who do not have a degree. Finally, the financial strain was off my chest and now I could just focus on my academics. This is where I put the pedal to the metal. I started by in January 2018 with all my prerequisites and applied to the Nursing Night program that started Fall of 2019.

What makes this even better is that TN Reconnect pays for programs. If you are an older adult without a degree, do not hesitate to continue your dreams. TN Reconnect has help me with my dreams and I will be eternally grateful for their assistance.

As a re-enrolled graduate of Chattanooga State, I once struggled as a single parent raising three small children by myself. As a good parents wanting the best for their kids - you sacrifice, but you always keep your goals prioritized. I always said that once my children were near adulthood, I would come back for additional education. Thank goodness I have a daughter that graduated from Tyner High in 2016, a son who graduated from STEM School of Chattanooga in 2017, and my youngest child that is currently a junior at McCallie School. Currently, my oldest child and middle children attend college here at Chattanooga State, which explains that determination is  contagious--- especially when you have a single mom that encourages, participates, and understands goals and strengths.

Education is never a joke in my household based on the fact that I never actually got a high school diploma. I’ll never forget when I got my GED at Chattanooga State, an advisor asked, “Where are you going?” I said, “Catching the bus because I dont’t have the $15 to enroll.” She yelled at me to come back, gave me the enrollment fee, and said, “You will make it, and I know this!” I’m so proud that someone saw my glow for success. I graduated in 2006 from Chattanooga State with a certificate in Business Systems Technology. This is one reason why I shine brightly for education around everyone, no matter what age, race, background, etc.

Being a student worker at Chattanooga State for three years gave me tons of experience in the field of business administration. Later, I gained employment with both the State of TN Human Services and  State of TN Education departments. As a TDOE employee for seven years, it helped prepare me both professionally and ethically toward an even brighter career in education. I volunteer as a mentor for the State of Tennessee Mentor Program helping high school students and other young adults see the importance of college. My passion for education has helped me grow as I help the community and express the need to be determined. So, in 2019, I’ve added helping inner city communities with new strategies of teaching children entrepreneurship and budgeting.

Meanwhile, as a single parent you always think about the daily life expenses of paying tuition, bills, food, medical expenses, and it becomes impossible to think about paying for college for yourself. But, you know what? TN Reconnect provided two classes to me tuition-free!  What’s even greater is that after going over my transcript, I only have two more classes before I obtain another degree! Go MOM and Prioritizer! So yes, I will walk the stage again in May 2019 with AAS degree. The tuition-free program is great and you are treated like a friend and family member by generous, kind individuals; or shall I say- TEAM? Personally, I would love to thank Mrs. Barker, who is awesome!

The Journey is yours and no one else’s. Determination is contagious, so spread it wisely. Many people don’t understand that they are their own light, so shine brightly. Speaking as a single parent, if I can do it, then you can too! Don’t allow anyone to dim your light of success. We all make our own stairways and the paths to follow! Coming back to school is great! Building an educational legacy is priceless!