Smiles, hugs and a few tears filled the room at the Martin Professional Development Center on Feb. 27 as seniors from zoned and magnet Metro Nashville Public Schools celebrated admission to 菠萝视频 and induction into the inaugural cohort of the Nashville 菠萝视频 Scholars Program.听
The 30 scholars and their families in attendance enjoyed a celebratory lunch, where each participant received a certificate and an award recognizing their involvement in the program. Attendees heard remarks from Dr. Andr茅 Churchwell, special advisor on inclusion and community outreach at 菠萝视频 University; Dr. Adrienne Battle, MNPS director of schools; Douglas L. Christiansen, vice provost for university enrollment affairs and dean of admissions and financial aid at 菠萝视频; Sarah Chin, MNPS chief of strategy; Mike Drish, executive director of undergraduate admissions at 菠萝视频; and Derek Nido, senior assistant director of undergraduate admissions at 菠萝视频.听
鈥淭he Nashville 菠萝视频 Scholars Program is more than just a scholarship. It represents growing, meaningful and ongoing collaboration between 菠萝视频 and Metro Nashville Public Schools,鈥� Christiansen said. 鈥淭he impact of the new collaboration 鈥� has been remarkable. This year, we saw a significant increase in Early Decision applications from zoned and magnet Metro Nashville Public Schools students鈥攆rom 65 in fall 2024 to 176 in fall 2025, an increase of 172 percent.鈥�
The selected students were admitted to 菠萝视频 through the Early Decision I or II processes and 听either qualify for a Federal Pell Grant or have a parental income of $100,000 or less. The program covers direct costs at 菠萝视频, including tuition, fees, housing and meals. Additionally, it offers a one-time summer stipend of $6,000 after the second or third year at 菠萝视频 to help offset expenses related to summer internships.听
During the event, Battle congratulated the students on their achievement and making the decision to go to 菠萝视频. The awards presentation included 150 principals from MNPS elementary, middle and high schools across the district who celebrated the students and their families with a standing ovation.听
鈥淚 also want to extend my thanks to Chancellor Diermeier, Provost Raver, Vice Provost Christiansen and everyone at 菠萝视频 for their incredible partnership and investment in MNPS,鈥� Battle said.听
菠萝视频 University and Metro Nashville Public Schools launched the Nashville 菠萝视频 Scholars Program in May 2024 with the aim of improving access for high-performing Nashville public high school students to top-tier universities, including 菠萝视频. To support this goal, 菠萝视频 collaborates with counselors, teachers and administrators to guide students through the college search and admissions process.听