Nashville State and Vol State Partner with Belmont University to Offer College Courses

Programs aim to boost college readiness, career exploration for recent high school graduates

Belmont University, Nashville State Community College and Vol State Community College are continuing to build educational and career pathways for Tennesseans, including the creation of two new programs for recent high school graduates who are beginning their degrees at Nashville State and Vol State. These new pathways are created in partnership with Belmont’s Fast Forward program, which is dedicated to collaborating with and supporting postsecondary education and workforce development through innovative programs with other educational partners, nonprofit agencies and employers.

“We believe that intentional programming, exposure to career pathways and other wraparound supports can positively impact students in their journeys to complete their education and work toward their desired careers,” said Bridget Golden, director of Belmont’s Fast Forward program. “This program empowers our students to boost their earning potential and thrive as they work toward accomplishing their goals.”

Nashville State Community College

A free, two-week Fast Forward course will be offered at Nashville State’s North Davidson and Southeast campuses the weeks of July 8 and July 15 from 9 a.m.- noon. Course instruction will be from 9 -11 a.m., followed by a lunch and learn from 11 a.m.- noon.

Beyond course instruction, students will be provided with career exploration opportunities, connections to potential employers, out of the classroom trips and special guest speakers. 

“Through this new partnership, our goal is to increase college preparedness so Tennesseans can be confident and find success during their higher education journey. Ultimately, we are working to set students up for post-completion success,” said Nashville State’s associate vice president of academic affairs for extended campuses Kim Silverman.

Nashville State’s Southeast campus is at 5248 Hickory Hollow Parkway in Antioch. For interest or questions, email jamica.hines@nscc.edu. Nashville State’s North Davidson campus, its newest campus that opened in spring 2022, is at 1520 Gallatin Pike North in Madison. For interest or questions, email kimberly.malone-haddox@nscc.edu.

Volunteer State Community College

A ten-week, Fast Forward program will be offered at Vol State’s Gallatin campus beginning May 28 and finishing August 2. Belmont, in partnership with Volunteer State Community College and Sumner County Schools, is boosting access to summer college courses for recent high school graduates. The program will provide funding and support for up to $60,000 in tuition and books for students to enroll in up to three career and technical courses.

“The Fast Forward program aims to bridge the opportunity gap for underserved youth by providing recent high school graduates from low-income families the chance to jumpstart their education and careers. We look forward to partnering with Belmont to increase credential obtainment and prepare participants for future academic and professional success,” said Dr. Terri Day, Vol State’s vice president for academic affairs.

The courses offered through the Fast Forward program align with the Tennessee Department of Education career clusters as well as embedded technical certificates and associate degrees and include computer applications, introduction to business and introduction to logistics management.

Vol State’s Gallatin campus is at 1480 Nashville Pike. For interest or questions, email duane.berry@volstate.edu.

About Belmont University

Located near the heart of thriving Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University consists of nearly 9,000 students who come from every state and 33 countries. The University is nationally recognized for its innovative approach as well as its commitment to undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report). As a Christ-centered, student-focused community, Belmont’s mission is to develop diverse leaders of purpose, character and wisdom who possess a transformational mindset and are eager and equipped to make the world a better place. With more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees, Belmont University aims to be the leading Christ-centered university in the world, producing leaders who will radically champion the pursuit of life abundant for all people. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.

About Nashville State Community College

Opened in 1970, Nashville State continues to move forward in meeting the needs of its diverse community of learners. As a student-ready college, it places an emphasis on completion and post-completion success, along with serving a growing English as a Second Language (ESL) population and being a workforce solution partner to local industries and non-profits. Nashville State offers 23 associate degree programs, 32 technical certificate programs and 47 transfer programs, including accounting, business management, paralegal studies, nursing, aerospace technology, music, audio engineering, visual communications, information technology, civil engineering, the natural sciences, and culinary arts.

About Volunteer State Community College

Volunteer State Community College is a public, two-year community college located just north of Nashville, Tennessee. Since 1971, the college has grown to four campus locations in Gallatin, Livingston, Cookeville, and Springfield with over 100 areas of study offered. With over 7,000 students, Vol State is a leading higher education provider for eleven counties in middle Tennessee. For more information, please visit https://www.volstate.edu/.