It is the intent of the REDI College Access Program is to change the educational culture of the region. The leadership of the REDI region understands the linkages between education, workforce and economic development.

The College Access Program is the cornerstone of the REDI initiative. 

REDI works with our communities to provide a mentoring program. Mentors are housed in the schools and are tasked with working with the participating students on the following:

• importance of post-secondary education 
• advisement on career paths 
• assistance to the student and family with college applications and any financial aid forms
• TN Promise

REDI also works with participative communities to help provide scholarships to any student that desires to attend a community college or technology center for two years.

Each of the counties in the REDI region determine to whom their program will be catered.  Some may choose to focus on the traditional student, some non-traditional. They may choose to require a GPA or ACT score, some may not.

The benefit of this program is a more educated population and workforce that will help to make this region of West Tennessee grow and become more prosperous.

Our mentors play a role in the vitality of your community and the future of West Tennessee. Providing college access services is one way REDI is working to improve the educational attainment levels in West Tennessee.

What Does a Mentor Do?

• Impresses the need for post-secondary education (community college, College of Applied Technology, etc.)
• Advises on career paths
• Assists in completing required college and financial aid forms
• TN Promise assistance

REDI has mentors in the following counties:

• Chester
• Crockett
• Fayette
• Gibson
• Hardin
• Haywood
• Tipton

The mission of Pathways Tennessee is to provide students with rigorous academic and career pathways, that are linked to local and regional economic and labor market needs. The program is part of a national initiative, the Pathways to Prosperity Network.  Tennessee was among the first states to join this multi-state consortium to address the “skills gap” that threatens the readiness of young Tennesseans entering the workforce.

Locally, Pathways Southwest TN was organized in 2014 for the counties in the Southwest Tennessee Economic Development District. Pathways Southwest TN seeks to provide students a clear path to college and career success through the utilization of career exploration, work experiences, and the opportunity to earn college credit and industry certifications in high school. At the end of the pathway, participating student will be ready for careers in their community that are in high demand and provide great pay.

Each Pathways Southwest TN high school offers customized programs of study to meet local labor market needs, and train students for meaningful jobs. Currently, the initiative serves school students in Chester, Decatur, Haywood, Madison and McNairy Counties. The Pathways Southwest TN website, www.findapathway.com, provides comprehensive information about what programs are available in each participating high school.

For more information about the Pathways Southwest TN program, contact Jo Matherne at 731-668-6408 or visit www.findapathway.com.

Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program that will begin in the fall of 2015. It will provide students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover tuition and fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or TSAA funds. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institution offering an associate’s degree program. While removing the financial burden is key, a critical component of Tennessee Promise is the individual guidance each participant will receive from a mentor who will assist the student as he or she navigates the college admissions process. In addition, Tennessee Promise participants must complete eight hours of community service per term enrolled, as well as maintain satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA) at their institution.

TN Promise Community Service Form

REDI does not have any job openings at this time.

REDI is an acronym for Regional Economic Development Initiative formed by the Southwest Tennessee Development District.  REDI’s focus is to create regional collaboration in the 7 REDI counties in West Tennessee.

The REDI College Access Program is the cornerstone of REDI initiative.  The College Access Program is designed to change the educational culture of the region.

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. Career visioning, college discussions, college visits and the cultivation of college aspiration help our youth stay focused on school and dedicated to their own individual growth. Most services currently being provided to West Tennessee youth are concentrated on encouraging students to aspire to post secondary education and helping them academically achieve. Services often decline and become increasingly remote as the complexity of the admissions and financial aid issues increase. The “gap” in services is due to the need for an organization that can fill the skill set gap, provide experience and expertise, and act as a referral source when the issue becomes better addressed by another community expert.  The REDI College Access Program is here to fill that “gap.”

Educational and economic opportunity is part of the American dream that now requires a post secondary degree. The College Access Program is prepared to assist you by providing a trained mentor who is knowledgeable on matters related to financial aid, college admissions criteria, and career advisement.  We specialize in working with teachers, parents, mentors, counselors, and other adults who support students on the path to a college education.
 

Any senior living in one of the REDI counties is eligible, as well as, non-traditional, GED, or HiSET students.

At this time, only Haywood and Tipton counties offer a REDI scholarship. Each county in the REDI district has the discretion to create a REDI scholarship along with their criteria and the authority to determine which schools students must attend in order to receive the Scholarship. Eligible schools are listed on the applications which are available from your REDI Mentor. Scholarship applicants must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1st of each year. Scholarship amounts are determined by each participating county.
 

Absolutely! REDI is happy to help anyone from our REDI counties in their pursuit for higher education. Please contact the Director and she will let you know who your mentor will be.

FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is a free form that may be completed without professional assistance via paper or electronic forms provided by the U.S. Department of Education. To apply for federal financial aid, you need to fill out the FAFSA and return it to the U.S. Department of Education, which processes it and sends the information to the colleges you've listed on the form. Schools use the information to decide how much financial aid they will give you if you attend their institution.  The deadline for Tennessee Promise students to complete their FASFA application is February 1st of each year. You must now create a FSA-ID before filling out your FAFSA or to go into an existing account and make change. If you have any difficulties, please let us know, we are happy to help.

The FAFSA is available free electronically or in paper form. The electronic version is online at www.fafsa.gov.
A paper version is available by calling (800) 4-FED-AID or (800) 433-3243. REMEMBER THE FAFSA IS A FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID.

If you are a student interested in going to college, please click here!

Chester County is ready and able! 

Jenilyn Sipes, SWTDD REDI College Access Coordinator, is very passionate about the need for post-secondary education for rural West Tennessee's youth. Willing to go to exceptional lengths to help a child succeed in the college\technical school enrollment process, Jenilyn is a determined assest to all the youth in this region. 

Community Service Volunteer Opportunities

Crockett County is ready and able!

Frankie McCord serves theis the REDI College Mentor at Crockett County High School. Frankie is available at CCHS on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:00 - 3:00.  After school and evening appointments are available and posted on Remind.

Fayette County is REDI and able!

SWTDD's REDI College Access Coordinator for Fayette County is Dixie Spencer. Fueled partly by the love for her children and grandchildren, Dixie is passionate about help the youth of Fayette County succeed - in high school and in post secondary educational attainment.

Community Service Volunteer Opportunities

Gibson County is ready and able!

Gibson County's REDI College Acess Coordinators are Craig Clay and Frankie McCord. Both Craig and Frankie are dedicated to the post-secondary education of Gibson County students.

Frankie McCord serves the following schools in Gibson County, South Gibson County High School and Peabody High School. Frankie is available at GCHS on Wednesdays from 8:00 - 3:00. She is available at Peabody High School on Thursdays from 8:00 - 3:00.  After school and evening appointments are available and posted on Remind.

Community Service Volunteer Opportunities

Mildred G. Fields Memorial Library
1075-A East Van Hook Street
Milan, TN 38358
Missy Blakely
Director
731-686-8268

Hardin County is ready and able!

Jenilyn Sipes, SWTDD's REDI College Access Coordinator, is very passionate about the need for post secondary education for rural West Tennessee's youth. Willing to go to exceptional lengths to help a child succeed in the college/technical school enrollment process, Jenilyn is a determined asset to all the youth in this region. Jenilyn will be at HCHC on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 3:00.

Community Service Volunteer Opportunities

Haywood County is ready and able!

Johnna Burton is the new college mentor at Haywood High School.

Haywood County Scholarship Form

Download the Haywood County Scholarship Form

Community Service Volunteer Opportunities

Elma Ross Public Library
1011 E. Main Street
Brownsville, TN 38012
Katherine L. Horn
elmarosslibrary@bellsouth.net
731-772-9534

Tipton County is ready and able!

Katherine Markley of Munford is a REDI College Access Program Manager and Mentor for Tipton County. Her educational and work background includes experiences at Dyersburg State Community College where she earned a business degree and worked with AmeriCorps Vista on DSCC’s Covington campus as a service learning coordinator. She’s also an adult learner through East Tennessee State University.  All three of her children have graduated from the Tipton County school system at Brighton and Munford High School, and has plenty of experience in the transition from high school student to college student. Katherine has been with the REDI program since 2010. She's at Munford HS most of the week and one day in our Jackson office. She can be reached at 731-668-6449 or call/text at 901-830-8583. 

Mario Hayslett is the REDI College Access Mentor at Covington High School in Covington, TN. With 17 years as an employee of Tipton County Schools, he transitioned to Tipton County Workforce Development. Mario is passionate about helping students to find their niche in life and helping them to set a plan to succeed. He is at CHS Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.a. until 2:30 p.m.

 

Tipton County Scholarship Form

Download the Tipton County Scholarship Form

Community Service Volunteer Opportunities

Joseph Mack
City of Covington
Parks and Recreation Director
790 Bert Johnston Ave
Covington, TN 38019
901-476-3734

There are several different types of volunteer opportunities.

Tipton County Public Library
3149 Hwy 51 S. Bldg. C
Covington, TN 38019
Sharon Timbs, Asst. Director
tiptonpl@tiptonco.com
901-476-0008