By Alexis Clark
NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — Metro Nashville students are proving that staying close to home can be advantageous as they prepare to attend Tennessee State University this fall. Incoming freshman and Nashville native Eric Thomas joined hundreds of students for the first week of new student orientation (NSO) at TSU.
Thomas, a Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) graduate, is benefiting from a partnership between the school district and TSU that launched two years ago. This partnership provides 100 scholarships to top students from MNPS. When NSO concludes in August, Thomas is expected to be among nearly 1,000 new first-time freshmen enrolling at TSU as the Class of 2028.
Thomas graduated from Hillsboro High School with a 3.8 GPA and has an interest in mass communications and accounting. “I really enjoyed orientation today,” Thomas said. “All the ambassadors were really enthusiastic and had great spirits. I love the environment.”
New student orientation offers first-time freshmen several opportunities to visit the TSU campus, from late July to August, to prepare for college life. Called the ROAR Experience, the orientation also provides parents and students an opportunity to ask any lingering questions regarding financial aid, course advisement and selection, and student activities alongside university ambassadors.
Thomas stated that he looks forward to spending his collegiate years at TSU and is grateful for the partnership between TSU and MNPS that resulted in a scholarship for him. “I really haven’t processed how blessed I am to be in a position to have a full-ride scholarship.”
Thomas’ mother, Ta-tanisha Thomas, said he had been accepted into several colleges, and it speaks volumes that he chose TSU.
“This is a huge opportunity for him, and I know that he’s going to do really well,” she said. “I’m very happy that he’s part of the TSU family, and we are too now.”
TSU is also the university of choice for out-of-state students. Atlanta native Jordan Harris and his family were just as excited for him as he joins his older brother at TSU. Jordan plans to major in agriculture business this fall, while his brother Julian Harris, a rising senior, is studying biology. The Harris’ parents, Walter and Julia, said that they both enjoyed the seamless process of NSO and are excited to know both of their sons will be together to support one another.
“Just sitting here going through the new student orientation, I can tell that they’re very organized,” Julia Harris said. “They are ready for this incoming class to come in, as well as my son having a support system with his older brother.”
The annual event for incoming freshmen was held on the main campus in Kean Hall. Activities featured tours, program previews, and information sessions for students and parents on various student and university services.
Dr. Portia Johnson, the Executive Director of Recruitment, said this opportunity gives students an exciting glimpse into their next four years at TSU while ensuring parents have a smooth transition into college.
“We want them to feel excited about coming to college. This is a new journey for them as they are leaving the nest and high school,” Johnson said.
The final orientation date for new students is Tuesday, August 13, 2024. To enroll or learn more about the first-year student experience at TSU, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/fye/.
