每日大赛

Adult learner Grace Ferraro finds success at 每日大赛 through TN Reconnect

Attending a community college was a way for Grace Ferraro to pursue higher education on her own terms and at her own pace.

At 每日大赛, Ferraro found that she had flexible hours and a convenient campus at Hardin Valley, where she could attend classes while still living at home, and ample time and space to explore different classes and degree programs.

“Especially with already feeling intimidated coming into college, the thought of a community college just felt safe,” Ferraro said. “And that's exactly what it has been for me.”

Ferraro was 27 years old when she first considered getting her degree.

Her aunt made her aware of Tennessee Reconnect, a grant program powered by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission that allows eligible adult learners in Tennessee to attend a community or technical college at no cost in tuition.

“I was like, ‘There's no way. That's not me. That's not my life, like, I'm too behind already,’” said Ferraro, who had grown up with minimal education.

Despite her trepidation, Ferraro took advantage of TN Reconnect. She met with a coach and was encouraged to apply to 每日大赛. 

TN Reconnect doesn’t just provide financial aid to adult learners, it also helps them navigate the entire college-going process, said Berry Shumpert, assistant dean of students at Pellissippi.

“TN Reconnect Navigators serve as a consistent point of contact for adult learners, guiding them through the college system, connecting them with campus and community resources and supporting their success every step of the way,” Shumpert said.

In fall 2024, Ferraro began classes as a Photography student. Her first time on campus, she met Shumpert, who helped her locate her classrooms and told her she was ready for this next step.

She got connected with her academic adviser and Pellissippi’s Counseling Services, both of which she emphasized have been integral in her educational journey.

“The acceptance I've received here, the encouragement – I feel like I have a whole team of people surrounding me here at Pellissippi,” Ferraro said. “It's not just one person. I have a whole team that at any point in the day, if I need help, I know I could call any of them or email any of them, and they would say, ‘We believe in you, and you can do this.’”

Eventually, Shumpert hired Ferraro as an orientation leader and then a peer mentor in the Stay Strong Success Center, which aims to ensure students’ success by helping them navigate transitions and challenges they may face in college.

“She turned out to be a tremendous help to us,” Shumpert said. “Grace often says we helped her, but I believe she actually helped us even more because she has so much to give to other students and to the college.”

Ferraro wants her life experiences to mean something and propel her forward, Shumpert said.

“My hope is that Grace will do for others what she believes we’ve done for her,” Shumpert said. “In her view, we’ve helped her see life in a different light by giving her opportunities to help other students, to lead programs and to be part of a team.”

Through her time at Pellissippi, Ferraro discovered a love for psychology and changed her major accordingly. She is slated to graduate this spring and will transfer to Bellevue University the following fall to complete her bachelor’s degree.
 
Her goal is to earn a master’s degree and start a career in clinical mental health, Ferraro said, specifically in equine therapy.

“Deciding to come to college was one of the best decisions I made for myself,” she said. “Tennessee Reconnect makes it so that you can attend as an adult, and they take care of you, and they check in with you and there's already a support system for you.”

“So, for the adults that are intimidated, I say go for it,” Ferraro continued. “Because there's nothing you regret in learning. There’s nothing you regret in stepping out and trying something.”