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. Newly formed in fall 2023, this group partners with the Academies of Nashville Steering Committee through the Nashville College and Career Readiness Network to create a shared, cohesive vision that ensures all students graduate prepared for college, career, and life.
Co-Chairs:
Sanjana Ballal-Link, MNPS
Bob Obrohta, TCASN
Members:
Nekesha Burnette, Antioch HS
Jaclyn Coleman, Pearl Cohn HS
Brenda Diaz, Big Picture HS
Kevin Edwards, MNPS
Lee Gray, Oasis Center
John Paul Gray , GEAR UP
Karina Gutierrez-Molina, YMCA
Constance Hensley, MLK HS
Laura Herrell, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
Jennifer Hill, Persist
Lanedria Marshall, Maplewood HS
Dr. Megan Cusson-Lark, MNPS Counseling
Kent Miller, Martha O'Bryan
Laura Moran, NSCC
Nicole Newman, Whites Creek HS
Benjamin Smith, Southern Word
Beth Wilson, Overton HS
Maria Paula Zapata, Conexion
Metro Nashville Public Schools and a network of Nashville-based college access organizations are collaborating through the Alignment Nashville College Access & Success A-Team to host FAFSA completion clinics at more than a dozen locations throughout June and July to help recent MNPS graduates and others maximize their financial aid options.
The organizations will bring extensive staff experience to helping anyone who has not started or completed the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Staff members will help students and families complete the FAFSA and also help them understand the nuances of various types of financial aid.
Along with MNPS, the organizations are the Tennessee College Access & Success Network (TCASN), Martha O’Bryan Center, Oasis Center, and Persist Nashville. MNPS and TCASN will lead outreach to recent graduates, and the other partnering organizations will provide direct FAFSA assistance and have one-on-one conversations with students and families.
For more information and a list of FAFSA clinics, please click here.
WSMV 4MNPS, college organizations to help students apply for financial aid
