Participating in the National College Access Network (NCAN) annual meeting always results in a great learning experience. The annual conference attracts outstanding plenary speakers and more than 1100 attendees. The 2019 conference areas of emphasis provided more than 100 workshops that included diversity/equity/inclusion, serving students of color well, empowering students from low income/foster care circumstances, […]

Just after students left the buildings and before Project GRAD summer institutes began, the GRAD leadership team gathered to reflect on efforts during the 2018-19 school year to meet organizational metrics. Pulling away off-site for the day provided an opportunity to perform an uninterrupted quadrant analysis of whether actions and activities closely aligned with metrics, […]

Project GRAD pilots Urban Brilliance! a hands-on STEM experience Watch WATE coverage here. On May 8, nearly 200 elementary and middle school students participated in Project GRAD Knoxville’s first “Urban Brilliance!” STEM Experience (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) designed for the 12 GRAD supported K-8 schools. The new Change Center skating rink was transformed into an […]

Again, a very generous Knoxville regional community responded to the invitation to be part of the 2019 WATE Laptops for GRAD Scholars Telethon. Long a dream of news anchor and youth advocate Lori Tucker, the goal of the station’s telethon is to raise funds to provide a laptop computer to every Project GRAD Knoxville Scholarship […]

Since the early years of the organization’s 2001 beginning, Project GRAD Knoxville has periodically provided relevant professional development sessions (FREE) for youth serving partners and community/faith-based organizations serving the same students and families. Topics addressed deepen understanding of demographics served, raise awareness of in-school strategies, discuss important education policy, or build skills. Sessions may be […]

Ronni Chandler, Executive Director & CEO Thank you to all who contributed towards the upcoming 2019-2020 fiscal year by giving in the GRAD2020 year-end effort. About a quarter of the 1,000-plus grassroots supporters who were engaged last April made a financial commitment in the November/December window. While a few 2020 pledges are pending, gifts to […]

What a tremendous honor we had on September 17, 2018 at the Pellissippi State Magnolia Campus as we greeted many of the individuals who support the young people in center city public schools served by Project GRAD Knoxville. We are so fortunate to live in a community that cares about all children! Attending guests had […]

As we begin this new 2018-19 school year, we are excited to continue our K-16 work on behalf of the brilliant young people in the 14 GRAD supported Knox County public schools, as well as on behalf of our scholars who are enrolled in higher education. As we continue established supports, we look forward to […]

It is a difficult task to put into a few words an enormous ‘thank you’ to thousands of people. Thank you to the people from all across Knoxville and beyond who stand in support of the 7,000 inner-city public school kids served by Project GRAD Knoxville kindergarten through higher education. Thank you to the students, […]