Our History
Our Humble Beginnings
Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) was founded as a non-profit community organization in 2011 by Nashville native and educator Dr. Julie Doochin. In December of 2011, THEI began a formal partnership with Nashville State Community College (NSCC) and the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC). Through this partnership, 25 students were accepted to the pilot program at Charles Bass Correctional Complex.
Expansion to West Tennessee
In May 2014, in continued partnership with NSCC and TDOC, THEI expanded to Turney Center Correctional Complex (TCIX) in Only, Tennessee. In January 2017, THEI expanded service to the western region of the state in partnership with Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC).
"All people are worthy of having access to the transformative and liberative power of education."
- Laura Ferguson Mimms, Executive Director
Expansion to Eastern Tennessee
In August 2019, THEI expanded service to the eastern region of the state through partnership with Roane State Community College (RSCC) and Morgan County Correctional Complex (MCCX) in Wartburg, Tennessee. In the same year, THEI received support from the office of Governor Bill Lee to begin the development of a Bachelor’s degree program.
A Real Impact Across the State
To date, THEI has enrolled almost ___ (waiting on this number from our EP department) students across our six active partnership sites and provided re-entry and student support services to over 1200 alums who have returned home.