The College Access & Success A-Team brings school and community partners together to address the critical aspects of improving access to higher education, as well as strategies to ensure students' success in college and beyond.
Co-Chairs
Sanjana Ballal-Link, MNPS
Sherica Clark Nelms, Martha O’Bryan
Members:
Sigfredo Amaya, Conexión Américas
Adam Brewer, MNPS
Lee Gray, Oasis Center
Karina Gutierrez- Molina, YMCA
Dr. Yolanda Jackson, MNPS
Dwight Johnson -Preston Taylor Ministries
Laura Moran, Nashville State Community College
Derek Nido, Vanderbilt University
Whitney Schulze, MNPS
Chaerea Snorten, MNPS
Evann Vrana-Gerber, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Metro Nashville Public Schools and a network of Nashville-based college access organizations collaborated through the Alignment Nashville College Access & Success A-Team to host FAFSA completion clinics at more than a dozen locations throughout June and July 2024 to help recent MNPS graduates and others maximize their financial aid options.
The organizations brought extensive staff experience to helping anyone who has not started or completed the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Staff members helped students and families complete the FAFSA and also helped them understand the nuances of various types of financial aid.
Along with MNPS, participating organizations included:
Tennessee College Access & Success Network (TCASN)
Martha O’Bryan Center
Oasis Center
Persist Nashville
MNPS and TCASN lead outreach to recent graduates, and other partnering organizations provided direct FAFSA assistance and had one-on-one conversations with students and families.
WSMV 4MNPS, college organizations to help students apply for financial aid
