East Tennessee State University has been awarded a $29 million grant, the second largest in the university’s history, to launch the ETSU GEAR UP Partnership, a transformative initiative designed to expand educational opportunities for students across Northeast Tennessee.
GEAR UP, which stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,” is a federally funded program designed to increase the number of students enrolling in and succeeding in education and training programs after high school.
The seven-year award, funded through the U.S. Department of Education, will provide support for 5,198 middle school students in Carter, Hawkins, Johnson, Kingsport City, Sullivan, and Washington County school districts.
“This extraordinary program will reinforce ETSU’s deep commitment to advancing college access and supporting first-generation and rural students,” ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland said. “It builds on our university’s longstanding leadership with federal TRIO programs and our proven ability to positively impact student success in the region. I would like to thank our federal lawmakers, including Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, along with Representative Diana Harshbarger, for supporting investments like these in our rural communities.”
About the ETSU GEAR UP Partnership
The ETSU GEAR UP Partnership grant was authored by Drs. Ronnie Gross, Susan McCracken, Pamela Mims and Chrissy Tillery. The program is built around the model “Think, Know, Act, Go: Educational Attainment and Economic Mobility,” which adapts the nationally recognized college readiness framework developed by David Conley.
Through this design, ETSU and its partners will provide:
- Tutoring, mentoring and academic advising
- Dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges
- College and career preparation workshops
- Financial literacy education and FAFSA completion support
- College visits, summer programs and non-cognitive skill development
- Professional development for educators
A robust evaluation component, in collaboration with the Vela Institute and ETSU research faculty, led by Dr. Paul Garton, will measure program outcomes to ensure funds are being used effectively.
Partners in Success
The initiative brings together a broad network of regional and national partners, including Northeast State Community College, Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Elizabethton, Method Learning, Princeton Review (Tutor.com), First Tennessee Development District, National Council for Community Education Partnerships (NCCEP), College and Career Readiness Evaluation Consortium, Niswonger Foundation, Student Success Agency, Tennessee Higher Education Commission/Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, Tennessee College Access and Success Network, and the Vela Institute.
Leadership in Rural Education and Career Preparation
Through the combined efforts of ETSU’s TRIO and GEAR UP programs, the university will serve more than 7,567 individuals across Northeast Tennessee, with an annual impact of more than $7.4 million in direct support for students and families.
“ETSU is one of just five institutions in the nation that hosts all of the federal TRIO programs and GEAR UP,” Dr. Joe Sherlin, senior vice president for Student Life and Enrollment, said. “This award strengthens our position as a national leader in helping students overcome barriers to higher education and ensuring they have the tools to succeed. It also furthers ETSU’s goal of building strong connections across the education continuum and providing students with seamless pathways to pursue postsecondary education.”
“Every student should consider pursuing some form of education or training beyond high school,” Noland said. “Trade certificates, associate degrees, apprenticeship programs, military service and bachelor's degree programs are all great options that expand individual opportunities and strengthen our regional workforce.”
