Knox County students benefit from $200,000 SouthEast Bank donation to tnAchieves
January 11, 2024, 12:21 p.m.

SouthEast Bank funds education initiatives that will expand access to higher education for
Knox County students through partnership with tnAchieves

Fulton College App Blitz; Southeast Bank

KNOXVILLE – SouthEast Bank, a community-focused financial institution, is excited to announce a transformative three-year investment totaling more than $200,000 in funding for tnAchieves, a leading education non-profit dedicated to reversing declining college-going rates, enrollment trends and student outcomes.

In its fifteen years, tnAchieves has impacted more than 630,000 students across 83 Tennessee counties, seeing significant improvement in first-year retention, three-year graduation and six-year graduation rates.

SouthEast Bank’s donation will fund programs that provide resources for Knox County students facing financial barriers. One such program is Knox Access, a groundbreaking five-year pilot program that places a college access coach in all Knox County high schools. Knox Access coaches will work collaboratively with school counselors to reshape student mindsets around higher education and guide students through crucial milestones in college preparation.

Many studies show college students are most likely to drop out in their first year due to academic or financial strain – and not return to finish their degree. This initiative should ease the transition for new college students who often experience a “disconnect between aspiration and reality,” said Krissy DeAlejandro, president and CEO of tnAchieves.

“The SouthEast Bank investment provides an opportunity for Knox County students to reach their full potential by creating more sustainable pathways to a college credential,” DeAlejandro said. “tnAchieves is grateful for their generous support as we build and execute programs meant to level the playing field for students who are often underserved in our community.”

SouthEast Bank's partnership with tnAchieves underscores a shared dedication to empowering students, fostering educational success, and building a more inclusive and prosperous community.

“At SouthEast Bank, we believe in the transformative power of education,” SouthEast Bank's Community Reinvestment Act Officer Kirby Burton said. “This donation to tnAchieves reflects our commitment to creating a more equitable future by breaking down barriers that hinder students' access to quality education. We are proud to support initiatives that empower students to dream bigger."

For more information about SouthEast Bank, visit www.southeastbank.com.

About tnAchieves
tnAchieves is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for every Tennessee student to obtain a post-secondary credential. As the partnering organization to the TN Promise scholarship serving 90 percent of Tennessee’s high school seniors, tnAchieves helps ensure students meet college enrollment requirements and proactively supports them through earning a college credential. tnAchieves began in 2008 as knoxAchieves with the mission of providing students with last-dollar scholarships supported by mentor guidance. Since then, tnAchieves has grown to become a nationally recognized leader in college access and success by providing holistic student supports rooted in community and accountability.

About SouthEast Bank
SouthEast Bank is a community bank headquartered in Farragut. With assets in excess of $2.6 billion, SouthEast Bank offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Middle and East Tennessee, including its specialty consumer loan division, ELFI, which specializes in educational loan programs. SouthEast Bank is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and communities. Local decision-making and community involvement have been the driving successes of SouthEast Bank since its inception. Member FDIC.

For more information, please visit www.southeastbank.com or call 1-844-732-2657.