STEP
Coordinator Cedric
Deadmon (center) discusses the program with Scottie and Betty Morris during a
special presentation to the Brownsville Business Association June 15.
STEP initiative begins in Haywood County
Research shows
that early in their middle and high school careers, the vast majority of
students, regardless of race or class, aspire to attain some sort of
post-secondary education. Most services currently being provided to West
Tennessee youth are concentrated on encouraging students to aspire to
post-secondary education and helping them achieve academically.
Services often
decline and become increasingly remote as the complexity of the admissions and
financial aid issues increase. Southwest Tennessee Educational Pathways (STEP)
is designed to fill this “gap.”
STEP works to
pair a high school senior with a trained mentor who is knowledgeable on matters
related to financial aid, college admissions criteria and career advisement.
This initiative
will form the critical link between education, workforce and economic
development. So many times students who have made the grade and want to go to
college don’t because they do not have the necessary guidance to navigate the
forms for admission or financial aid. Through specialized training and resources,
a mentor can walk the student through this process and make ‘going to college’
attainable.
A more educated
workforce will encourage industries to look closer at our community when
choosing to relocate or expand.
Haywood County
is one of 12 West Tennessee counties participating in the STEP program. If you
are interested in becoming a mentor, learn more at www.swtdd.org/redi/step.php; or
contact Area Coordinator Cedric Deadmon, 731-668-6448, for more information.
STEP is a
program of REDI, a regional economic development initiative formed by the
Southwest Tennessee Development District. REDI’s goal is to create a
public and private sector partnership in the West Tennessee region that
addresses issues affecting job creation and the quality of life for its
citizens.