OUR STORY

The NiswongerCARE program is committed to the schools and students in Northeast Tennessee through our work to develop a stronger college-going and career ready culture, with the expectation for post-secondary attainment for all. This commitment aligns with former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam’s “Drive to 55” campaign – which has a goal that 55% of Tennesseans will have a post-secondary credential by the year 2025. The CARE program started in the 2015-2016 academic school year and is still going strong today. Our program serves 26 high schools in Northeast Tennessee, is available to 30,000 high school students, and is currently funded through the state of Tennessee's generosity and support. Based on the experience of the Niswonger Foundation’s former college access program and other successful college advising programs (such as the College Advising Corps³), our program has increased student access to college and career advising. The staffing includes a director, an associate director, eleven baccalaureate level specialists, and three graduate school interns (from the counseling programs at Milligan University, Carson-Newman University, and East Tennessee State University).Using a purposeful near-peer staffing model of professionals, the program will function as a training and development opportunity for a new generation of young professionals who will be serving Northeast Tennessee beyond the scope of this grant. For those who will continue in school counseling, they will have gained a wealth of practical experience and professional development opportunities. We enjoy the work that we do and are excited to be able to assist the students and families in our high schools and this region.

​

In 2024, the NiswongerCARE program was approved for an expansion beyond the high school level. This expansion includes the new NiswongerSTART program- a College Success Mentorship pilot in partnership with Northeast State Community College and Walters State Community College. Click the button below to learn more about NiswongerSTART!