Our EOC team provides educational support and resources to individuals striving to achieve their academic and career goals. Recently, EOC celebrated a remarkable achievement. Melisa Russell, a participant in the EOC program, won 1st place for her essay detailing her transformative experience with EOC. Her story and achievement are one of the many examples of the impact EOC has on its participants and on our community.

Melisa’s essay first won the Tennessee Association of Special Programs (TASP) competition. Her compelling narrative, which captured the essence of her journey and the support she received from EOC, was then entered into the regional competition organized by the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP). Competing against other exceptional entries from across the region, Melisa’s essay once again was awarded a trophy, a medal, and a monetary prize for her efforts. These awards not only demonstrate her writing skills but also showcase her determination to overcome challenges through education. Melisa’s success story serves as an inspiration to her peers and is an example of what can be achieved through EOC. Melisa is an active and committed volunteer in her community. She dedicates her time to several local organizations, including Love Kitchen, Young-Williams Animal Shelter, You Matter, and Focus Ministries. Her involvement in these organizations reflects her passion for giving back to the community and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Our EOC team plays a crucial role in helping individuals like Melisa reach their full potential. Melisa’s achievements demonstrate the importance of such programs in fostering personal and academic growth. As we celebrate her success, we also acknowledge the efforts of our EOC team who make these opportunities possible. Melisa Russell’s journey with the EOC is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of education and community support. Congratulations, Melisa, on your well-deserved success!

As we reflect on the achievements of the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program at the University of Tennessee Knoxville for the 2022-2023 project year, it is evident that its impact has been far-reaching. The aim of VUB is to provide veterans with academic support and resources essential for acquiring the necessary skills to succeed in postsecondary education. Our program serves 150 veterans across 16 counties in the greater Knoxville area. The program not only met but exceeded its goals set by the Department of Education, marking a significant milestone in its mission to support veterans in pursuing higher education. One of the program’s standout accomplishments lies in its dedication to inclusivity and accessibility. Of the 150 veterans served, 101 were potential first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds, representing a crucial demographic often faced with barriers to accessing higher education. Despite these challenges, 97% of participants successfully completed the program! Academic improvement is at the core of VUB’s objectives, and the results speak volumes. An outstanding 92% of veterans showed advancement in standardized tests, underscoring the program’s commitment to enhancing academic skills and preparing participants for success in higher education.

Furthermore, the impact of the program extends beyond completion, with an impressive 95% of veterans who finished the program in the 2022-2023 year transitioning into post-secondary education. This statistic not only highlights the efficacy of VUB in facilitating access to higher education but also demonstrates its role in empowering veterans to pursue their academic goals. Inclusivity is not just a goal but a fundamental principle of the VUB Program, as evidenced by the participation of female veterans and veterans from diverse racial backgrounds. While there is still progress to be made in achieving full representation, the inclusion of 15% female veterans and 13% non-white participants signifies a commitment to diversity and equity within the program.

Looking ahead, the success of VUB at UT serves as an opportunity for veterans in the greater Knoxville area and beyond. By continuing to provide individualized support, resources, and mentorship, VUB remains on its mission to empower veterans on their journey toward higher education and career success!

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Halle L. Timpson
PI/Project Director
Veterans Upward Bound (VUB)

Self-care across all facets of life, including higher education, is essential for numerous reasons. Self-care is crucial for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It allows individuals to maintain their health with activities such as exercise, sufficient sleep, meditation, or hobbies that can reduce stress. Self-care activities can improve mood and mental clarity. Taking time for yourself allows you to recharge and better cope with life’s challenges. It can also enhance self-esteem and self-confidence. In the past, I’ve struggled with engaging in self-care but thanks to one of my professors, I’ve learned about an easy and fun way to embed taking care of myself into my daily routine. Finch is a safe and trustworthy self-care pet app that helps individuals feel prepared and positive one day at a time. This app is free and available on Apple, Android, Google Play, and even Windows.

Users can take care of their pets by also taking care of themselves. The app provides self-care features such as mood assessments, habit monitoring, guided breathing sessions, motivational and inspiring quotes, and in-depth analysis of your emotional well-being. The better you take care of yourself, the more nurturing attention your virtual pet receives. You can even customize and name your pet. The more self-care you engage in, the more prizes and accessories you have access to also increase.

For example, here is my pet Hope. I’ve earned all these free clothes, shoes, and accessories for Hope and her room just by taking care of myself. 

The app allows individuals to choose from a wide variety of personalized self-care exercises. You can set goals for each day, check them off as you go about your day, and earn energy for your pet to grow. In addition to this, there is an option for you to self-reflect into your journal as you wish. The app allows you to do quests, shop for your pet and its home, open daily gift boxes, and even collaborate with other friends. You can invite a friend to your tree town to send them positive messages and see how their pet grows. In addition to that, daily affirmations are presented with an option to express how you are currently feeling at the press of a button.

Using Finch for the past couple of months has significantly helped my self-esteem, confidence, and motivation. It’s easy to embed into my daily schedule and is a fun, easy, and helpful way to engage in taking care of myself. I enjoy having access to this app at my fingertips to reflect and express my emotions whether I’m having a good or bad day. I’ve even been able to encourage some of my friends to download the app and have been able to see how they and their pets are growing. I encourage everyone to embed self-care into their everyday life routines because it can only help an individual. I encourage you to check out the Finch app or incorporate self-care into your daily routine somehow because self-care helps you feel prepared and positive, one day at a time.

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by Aliyah Galvan, Intern of Pre-College Upward Bound

*Disclaimer: The Education Research & Opportunity Center is not sponsored by, does not sponsor, or affiliate with this app.

On February 27, the TRIO programs at UTK ERO hosted the Tennessee TRIO National TRIO Day student conference. Over 380 program participants and staff traveled from all over Tennessee to learn more about leadership, compete in academic competitions, and overall learn more about what Rocky Top has to offer for future undergraduate students.

Four different types of TRIO programs were in attendance: Talent Search (TS) serves middle and high school students, Upward Bound or Upward Bound Math and Science (UB/UBMS) serves high school students, and finally, Student Support Services (SSS) serves colleges students at a community college or four-year college or university. Attendees came from Douglas-Cherokee Economic Authority (UB/UBMS), Dyersburg State Community College (UB/UBMS), East Tennessee State University (TS, UB/UBMS), Maryville College (SSS), Middle Tennessee State University (UB/UBMS), Monroe County Schools (TS), Tennessee State University (UB/UBMS), Tusculum University (TS, UB/UBMS), University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UB/UBMS), and University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UB/UBMS).

The keynote speaker for the day was Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement, Dr. Tyvi Small. Dr. Small spoke about his pursuit of education and how he persevered through the many challenges of enrollment, degree completion, and obtaining a terminal degree. Dr. Small spoke of how his experience in Student Support Services, a TRIO program for college students, made a significant impact on his life.

ERO staff Stephanie Langley and Halle Timpson organized the Veterans Upward Bound and the Educational Opportunity Center essay competitions, where participants provided a short essay about how TRIO services impacted their ability to overcome the barriers of postsecondary education. This was the first time that the state was able to offer this competition for adult participants.

ERO staff Charles White, Leigh Ann Elkins, and Jonathan Curry coordinated the academic bowl (competition for TRIO students in the Talent Search program), scholars bowl (competition for TRIO students in Upward Bound/ Upward Bound Math and Science), and academic workshops based on leadership. Topics covered first-gen success, emotional intelligence and soft skills, conflict management, and etiquette. The UT College of Law provided a mock trial where students played the roles of lawyer, judge, witness or juror to learn more about the legal system and how to practice law.

Wrapping up the day, the ERO Center presented Tennessee TRIO with a proclamation from the City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon to publicly recognize National TRIO Day. The proclamation helped showcase a “calling for a community-wide commitment to educational equity, access, and opportunity for all.”

For more information about the Tennessee TRIO and the impactful work being done through TRIO programs, please visit https://www.tasptrio.org/. 

Jonathan Curry
PI/Project Director
Pre-College Upward Bound (PCUB)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has long been the gateway for students across the United States to access federal, state, and institutional financial aid. This year, FAFSA has undergone some changes that came to be through the FAFSA Simplification Act which introduced a new formula that could impact financial aid packages, with a direct data exchange with the IRS and far fewer questions. However, the 2024-25 FAFSA has introduced significant changes that simplify the process and present new challenges, especially for first-generation and low-income students.

FAFSA soft-launched on December 30, with a significant redesign intended to streamline the process and reduce the number of questions​​. However, there have been some challenges with the launch. Financial aid packages are expected to be delayed, with the U.S. Education Department beginning to send FAFSA information to colleges only in mid-March​​. Despite the delays and issues, it’s crucial to submit FAFSA to unlock various forms of federal, state, and school-based financial aid​​.

Key Changes and Issues

The redesigned FAFSA launched after a three-month delay and represents the most substantial overhaul of the application process since the Reagan administration. This new version aims to streamline the experience with fewer questions​​. However, its roll-out has not been without problems. Some notable technical issues have emerged, including difficulties entering spouse information for married students or parents, challenges for students without a Social Security number, and errors related to federal school codes for inactive schools​​. These glitches have necessitated specific workarounds and underscore the importance of comprehensive support from educational institutions.

Additionally, colleges will receive student’s information in mid-March. Colleges may need to rethink or change the timelines for their incoming classes. However, this also means incoming students will have a shorter time frame to make informed financial decisions on the colleges they may want to attend. The new FAFSA creates additional barriers for first-generation and low-income students, who already face unique social, academic, and financial challenges in accessing higher education. The current issues with the FAFSA, combined with a lack of awareness and support, could exacerbate these challenges. The total impact of these setbacks will not be known until later this year.

How Colleges and Universities Can Help

Educational institutions have a critical role in supporting students through these challenges. By increasing awareness, providing personalized assistance, and creating easy-to-understand resources, colleges can help demystify the FAFSA process. Hosting events, leveraging technology, and offering multilingual support are strategies to improve accessibility and encourage timely completion​​​​. Moreover, collaboration with high schools and peer mentoring programs can prepare students before they reach the college application process, ensuring they are better equipped to tackle financial aid hurdles. Due to the setbacks with this revised FAFSA, the approaching months will be crucial for universities and colleges as they assess financial aid packages and admission decisions, potentially necessitating adjustments to their decision timelines.

Our Outreach Team

At the Education Research & Opportunity Center (UTK ERO), our outreach team is doubling down on assisting students with the new FAFSA. The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) offers resources and personal 1:1 support to assist students, incoming students, and families with financial aid counseling. The financial literacy expertise provided by EOC is essential in supporting our participants, who are predominantly from low-income backgrounds and are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Our principal investigator, Stephanie Langley, will lead our EOC team through these challenges, ensuring that we navigate them effectively and make informed decisions. Given the setbacks with this revised FAFSA, March is critical for students, universities, and colleges. To facilitate this process, our EOC team is diligently working through the university spring break to ensure we meet these critical deadlines and provide the best support possible.

The EOC team will be available to help students complete or troubleshoot their FAFSAs every Friday between now and April 19 (except for 3/15 and 3/19) from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Center for Financial Wellness across from One Stop. You can also request 1:1 support by calling the ERO Outreach Office at 865-974-4466. If you have a question about your specific financial aid package, your first call should be to One Stop https://onestop.utk.edu/, but EOC professionals are well-trained and ready to help students navigate this new FAFSA!

Despite the initial hiccups, the simplified FAFSA represents a step forward in making financial aid accessible to all students. It is crucial for educational institutions to actively guide students through the application process and advocate for continued improvements to the system. As policymakers and educators work to refine the FAFSA, the collective goal remains clear: to ensure that every student can pursue higher education without financial barriers. By addressing the current challenges and supporting all students through the application process, we can move closer to realizing this goal.

by Karina Beltrán

We cordially invite you to attend an insightful guest presentation by Sophie McGuiness, a distinguished Ph.D. candidate from Vanderbilt University. This event is planned to take place on Thursday, March 7, at noon in Claxton Complex, Room 206.

Sophie McGuiness, a member of the Leadership, Policy, & Organizations Program at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, is set to deliver a presentation titled “Can Public Investment in Community Colleges Draw Learners Away from For-Profits?” McGuiness will share her expertise and findings from her comprehensive research. This forward-looking discussion will explore the impact of for-profit colleges in the landscape of adult education and reskilling in the United States. Despite the apparent benefits these institutions offer, McGuiness will examine the contrasting outcomes for graduates from for-profit colleges versus their public sector counterparts, such as the disparities in debt, earnings, and employer callback rates.

Leveraging historical and recent federal investments in community college capacity, McGuiness will present her research on whether increasing funding to these institutions can shift student enrollment preferences away from for-profit colleges. Utilizing data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Department of Education, she will present the preferences of students at open-access institutions, filling a crucial gap in educational literature. The presentation promises to unveil significant findings, such as the sensitive response of for-profit enrollments to public sector funding, and the effects of targeted grants, which could potentially lower the odds of community college applicants also applying to for-profit colleges. Students, faculty, and those interested in educational policy and economics are encouraged to attend this engaging session. It will be an exceptional opportunity to gain insights into the dynamics between public investment and educational institution choices, and how community colleges can position themselves in the competitive market.

Mark your calendars for what promises to be an incredible session with Ph.D. Candidate Sophie McGuiness. We look forward to seeing you at Claxton Complex, Room 206, next month for a thought-provoking presentation and discussion.

Yes, you read that right…Kiltathon! It is, in fact, the fourth annual event. Let me explain:

In the gray beginnings of 2021, a former participant in the Academic Enrichment Upward Bound program came to me with a problem. She had graduated from high school and was now a graphics design student. That meant she had to have a new computer for her major. Unfortunately, she had zero funds for the computer as she and her family were living hand to mouth. She was working; her mother was working; everyone was doing all that they could. Normally, when one of our kids needs something that is outside of the parameters of the grant, I either reach into my own pocket or I hit up a friend or two that owe me favors. However, over a thousand dollars for the computer she needed was a little bit steep. In talking with my staff, we came up with the most ludicrous of ideas…I’ll wear one of my nine kilts each day in March and get people to sponsor me for $1 per day. “Well, that’ll never work!”

Except, it did work. Each day I posted a picture on Facebook of me in my kilt and people checked in and commented – people were engaged and supportive. We were able to purchase the computer and some peripherals for the student. It was life-changing for her.

And it kept working. In 2022 the Kiltathon grew and so did its support. The goal for that year was $3,000. People gave. For some that meant contributing in ways to promote the Kiltathon. One contributor who has the technical skills that I do not pitched in and now the Kiltathon has a website of its own. (www.greatkiltathon.com) People checked the website to see the daily pictures. We exceeded the goal by about $500 dollars. I say we because the Kiltathon was beginning to have a following of its own. All the funds went to pay for needs that the grant cannot cover for our low-income, first-generation potential and current college students. We assisted with tuition, bought books, paid rent, replaced tires…well, you get the picture. We raised over $3,500, but we gave away over $4,000. The needs always exceed the resources. So, we kept at it.

In 2023 the Kiltathon raised just over $5,000. As of this writing, we have given away about $3,750. This year expenses covered have included all of the usual things – tuition assistance, housing deposits, general student supplies for alumni, and food assistance – as well as some equally important but less commonplace things like assistance with funeral expenses after the sudden death of a participant’s mother and rental assistance to prevent a family from being evicted.

Of course, none of this is related to The University of Tennessee in any way. We do not use the UT name at all. It is all very informal and personal. It is people pooling resources (usually $31 at a time), coordinated by someone they know and trust (that is me, believe it or not), to make a difference in the lives of a group of kids who have needs and nowhere else to turn. This is grassroots philanthropy. It is not tax-deductible. Donors are listed on the website and that is all the “tangible” rewards they get.

The Fourth Annual Great Kiltathon kicks off on March 1, 2024. Do you have $31 you can spare?

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Charles R. White

PI / Project Director

Academic Enrichment Upward Bound