TN Achieves - a program which provides opportunities for public high school graduates in Knoxville and Knox County to attend community college free of tuition or fees - is seeking mentors to work with its latest class of students.

The privately-funded program gives students a chance to go to community college for two years by providing funding to fill the gap between any financial aid they are receiving and the total cost of tuition.

Each scholarship recipient is paired with a volunteer mentor from the community who can help them overcome the barriers associated with post-secondary education. The mentoring element is what sets tnAchieves apart from other college access programs as mentors provide encouragement and guidance to these students making the transition from high school to college.

Mentors generally spend 10-12 hours annually working with students and it's a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in a young person's life. Mentors are required to attend a single, two-hour-long training session in September.

The program was established in Knox County as KnoxAchieves in 2008 and has since expanded to a number of other East Tennessee counties.

If you have questions or would like more information please contact Krissy DeAlejandro at 865-218-4093 or [email protected] or Graham Thomas at 865-218-4287 or [email protected].

Please go to www.tnachieves.org/become-a-mentor to download a mentor application.