Grant Will Fund Career Pathway for High School Students

Through their Better Together initiative, Nashville State and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), with the support of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, were awarded $2 million to create an opportunity for students at Maplewood and Pearl-Cohn high schools to earn a Central Sterile Processing certificate and launch healthcare careers through dual enrollment courses.

Better Together is a partnership between MNPS and Nashville State to help MNPS graduates prepare for, attend, and complete college.

Students can complete credit-bearing clinical experiences the summer after graduating from high school with the three largest healthcare employers in the Nashville region — Ascension, HCA Healthcare, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Once students complete the program right out of high school, they will be prepared to take a nationally recognized certification exam and earn an industry-recognized credential that could lead to a high-demand, high-wage career. They may also continue their education at Nashville State in the Surgical Technology program. 

Central sterile technicians store, clean, sterilize, assemble, and prepare medical equipment used during procedures. Technicians who want to advance or take on new responsibilities in their careers can apply the credits used to earn the certificate toward a Surgical Technology A.A.S. degree. Surgical Technologists are instrumental in the operating room, where they prepare the room and patient for surgery, arrange equipment, and assist surgeons.  

“Through Better Together and other structured partnerships, Nashville State has intentionally built runways for students to take flight,” said Nashville State President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson. “This dual enrollment opportunity sets high school students up for success after graduation, while addressing and aligning with workforce needs.”

“We are always looking to create opportunities for our students to succeed in college, career, and life after they graduate from our schools, and this is a perfect example,” MNPS Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle said. “This partnership with some of our biggest supporters in higher education and the healthcare industry will give MNPS graduates another strong pathway into rewarding careers right here in Nashville.”

"This grant partnership underscores our commitment to building a skilled workforce in Nashville. By merging educational opportunities with real-world experience, we're preparing students for immediate jobs and future career growth, showcasing the impact of collaboration between education and industry," said Stephanie Coleman, chief talent development officer, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission announced funding for this initiative and 22 othersthrough the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) program.

This is the third round of GIVE grants awarded to regional partnerships between community colleges, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), organizations, and local industries.  

Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora W. Tydings commended the colleges for initiating the partnerships and applying for and winning the grants to benefit career and technical education in their communities.

“The programs and projects funded by this latest round of GIVE Grants will create many new opportunities for Tennesseans to learn career-building skills to compete and advance in today’s technology-based economy, benefitting their families across generations and building strong communities.”