Bank of America Supports Career Development for Adult Learners Through $100,000 Grant to Nashville State Community College

Nashville State Community College has received a $100,000 grant from Bank of America to support Ready to Reconnect (R2R), an initiative designed to help adult learners in Davidson County reconnect with education and workforce training opportunities.

Offered through the college’s Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, the program equips participants with the skills, resources, and guidance needed to pursue career advancement and meet the demands of today’s workforce.

Launched in 2022 in partnership with the Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County and Urban League of Middle Tennessee, Ready to Reconnect helps unemployed and underemployed adults return to education and transition into sustainable employment through accelerated training supported by intentional, structured wraparound services. The program focuses on career readiness, in-demand skill development, direct connections to employment, and meeting employer demand for job-ready talent across multiple industries.

To date, 212 industry-recognized certifications have been awarded.

“Bank of America’s investment in Ready to Reconnect strengthens Nashville State’s ability to provide accelerated training and comprehensive support services that help adult learners build meaningful careers and improve economic mobility. This support also helps create the skilled talent pipeline our industry partners need to meet their workforce demands,” said Joseph Johnson, executive director of The Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education.

The funding will support program operations, participant support services, training delivery, and efforts to expand access throughout Davidson County.

"This is a natural extension of an already established, years-long partnership,” said Heather Vincent, market executive for Bank of America. “The Ready to Reconnect initiative and career pathways like the Medical Assistant program which feeds adult learners directly into Matthew Walker’s employment pipeline, exemplifies how community organizations can work together to develop local talent, strengthen the workforce, and advance economic mobility across Nashville."

Ready to Reconnect’s central operations site is at the college’s East Davidson campus Workforce Training Center, and the program delivers services directly in community spaces to expand access.

Training Pathways

Participants can pursue training in several high-demand fields, including:

• Healthcare: Medical Assistant Training (9–10-week cycles)
• Skilled Trades: Welding, Heavy Equipment Operation, and Advanced Manufacturing
• Culinary Arts: Food safety, sanitation, and kitchen professionalism
• Technology: Foundational IT skills and digital literacy

Photo: Ryan Parker, executive director, Nashville State Community College Foundation; Jordan Weinstein-Fleming, director of grants development; Nashville State Community College Foundation; Courtney Keenan, vice president and community relations manager, Bank of America; Heather Vincent, senior vice president and local market executive, Bank of America; Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, president, Nashville State Community College; Allison Shah, senior vice president and workforce development program manager, Bank of America; Dr. Kenisha Burke, manager, Ready to Reconnect, Nashville State Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education; and Joseph Johnson, executive director, Nashville State Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education.