MTSU unveils unique High School and Community College Counselor Scholarship program [+VIDEO]

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, center, takes a group photo with Rutherford County high school and community college counselors and representatives holding their $2,500 ceremonial scholarship checks at a True Blue Tour kickoff appreciation luncheon for them Sept. 13 in the university’s Student Union Ballroom. McPhee unveiled the new High School and Community College Counselor Scholarships program that provides attending counselors on the tour stop luncheons in Tennessee with funds to disburse to one of more of their students looking to attend MTSU. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Middle Tennessee State University kicked off its annual multi-city True Blue Tour for undergraduate admissions Wednesday, Sept. 13, by announcing a first-of-its-kind program to give high school and community college counselors scholarship dollars that they can dispense to their students.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee announced the new High School and Community College Counselor Scholarships program during an appreciation luncheon for Rutherford County counselors held at the tour’s stop in Murfreesboro.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, left, takes a photo with Blackman High School counselor Marcus Lyons and the $2,500 ceremonial scholarship checks that McPhee presented to Lyons and 20 other counselors at a True Blue Tour kickoff appreciation luncheon held Sept. 13 in the university’s Student Union Ballroom. McPhee unveiled the new High School and Community College Counselor Scholarships program that provides attending counselors on the tour stop luncheons in Tennessee with funds to disburse to one of more of their students looking to attend MTSU. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

The program will award $2,500 to each high school or community college sending at least one counselor to the university’s counselor appreciation events held before the True Blue Tour stops in Tennessee. The school or college can then decide whether to distribute the sum to one or more students to attend MTSU.

“This unique program empowers counselors, who have a greater understanding of the needs and goals of students they serve, to best deliver scholarship dollars to those wanting to attend our university,” McPhee said. “We are confident they will make great choices and help those who want to be True Blue.”

McPhee said MTSU is proud of its leadership role in the state’s higher education system for helping first-generation students and underserved populations reach their educational goals. MTSU is known for its work with first-generation and Pell Grant eligible students.

“MTSU is truly Tennessee’s university,” McPhee said. “Our enrollment reflects the diversity of our state and is overwhelmingly comprised of Tennesseans seeking a quality and affordable education from a major comprehensive university committed to their success.”

Representatives from Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment answer questions and share materials from their informational table with Rutherford County counselors attending a True Blue Tour kickoff appreciation luncheon Sept. 13 in the university’s Student Union Ballroom. The True Blue Tour is an annual 14-city tour featuring counselor luncheons and evening student/parent receptions to recruit prospective students led by McPhee, top administrators, admissions staff and advisors. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee explains the university’s guaranteed admissions policy for qualifying students during the True Blue Tour kickoff appreciation luncheon for Rutherford County high school and college counselors Sept. 13 in the university’s Student Union Ballroom. The True Blue Tour is an annual 14-city tour featuring counselor luncheons and evening student/parent receptions to recruit prospective students led by McPhee, top administrators, admissions staff and advisors. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

The High School and Community College Counselor Scholarships can be stacked with MTSU’s guaranteed academic scholarships, which are awarded to students who apply by Dec. 1 with a 3.5 GPA and a 22 or higher ACT score, as well as Tennessee Hope Lottery Scholarships. You can view the scholarship options at MTSU.edu/apply.

Laurie Witherow, interim vice provost for enrollment services, said she hopes “every Tennessee high school and community college will send someone to our luncheons and take home these additional scholarships.”

Dr. Laurie Witherow, associate vice provost for Admissions and Enrollment Services — Dr. Laurie Witherow

Witherow said the True Blue Tour’s Tennessee stops after Murfreesboro include Williamson County on Sept. 25; Clarksville on Sept. 28; Nashville on Oct. 3; Johnson City on Oct. 24; Knoxville on Oct. 25; Chattanooga on Nov. 2; Memphis on Nov. 8; and Jackson on Nov. 9. Counselors and prospective students can register for the stops by going to MTSU.edu/RSVP.

The president also pointed out that more than 70% of MTSU’s alumni remain in Tennessee, helping fuel the state’s economy. MTSU guarantees admission to students with a high school GPA of 3.0 or a minimum ACT score of 22.

“For three decades, MTSU has offered a broad and accessible pathway to guaranteed admissions, as well as a broad array of guaranteed academic scholarships,” McPhee said. “We are the top choice for Tennesseans seeking to change the trajectory of their lives.“

If you meet our criteria, you are admitted and guaranteed a seat on our Murfreesboro campus — not placed on a waiting list or sent somewhere else.”

— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu)