The Office of Flagship Communities at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) is dedicated to fostering university-community partnerships that inspire middle and elementary school students to consider UT as their primary choice for post-secondary education. As ambassadors for the university, the office sustains mutually beneficial reciprocal partnerships across Tennessee by engaging with K–8 grade schools in designated Flagship communities.
What is a Flagship School?
UT is committed to making higher education more affordable and accessible to Tennesseans through its Flagship Scholarship program. This program is part of the UT Tri-Star Scholarship suite, which is specifically designed to help Tennesseans achieve an affordable education at the university. With the addition of 14 high schools in 2024, there are now a total of 52 Flagship high schools in Tennessee.
The Flagship Scholarship program ensures that graduates from Flagship high schools who are admitted to UT Knoxville receive scholarships that cover tuition and mandatory fees in combination with the HOPE scholarship. This initiative aims to alleviate financial barriers and make higher education more attainable for students across the state.
What We Do
The Office of Flagship Communities ensures that students have access to the resources they need to succeed. Through programs and partnerships, the office raises awareness that an education at the University of Tennessee is available, accessible, and within reach for all students. Through academic preparation, career exploration, ACT/SAT prep, and family/parental engagement, we identify and remove barriers to post-secondary opportunities.
The office engages and supports students, families, school counselors, teachers, administrators, nonprofit leaders, learning-focused organizations, and the community on the pathway to education through UT. By providing these stakeholders with valuable information and resources, the office helps create a more informed and engaged community.
Priorities and Goals
The Office of Flagship Communities prioritizes embracing high-impact best practices that facilitate learning and promote a growth mindset. It focuses on eliminating barriers to college preparation, connection, and attainment while creating positive learning spaces to foster academic achievement and growth by subject matter expertise. Goals include:
- Leveraging UT and Flagship community resources.
- Collaborating with UT campuses and alumni.
- Increasing stakeholder investment and engagement.
- Igniting student curiosity about UT.
Year-round, in partnership with UT Admissions and community stakeholders, the Flagship Communities team plans fun, engaging, and inclusive academic programs, mentorships, and campus visits for K–8 students matriculating at K–8 Flagship Community schools.
Regional Focus
The office focuses on west, middle, and east Tennessee regions across 95 counties. The team develops Flagship Community programs for schools in these areas to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. By partnering with nonprofit agencies, schools, and families in each region, they can identify barriers for middle school students to access college and address these needs.
This inaugural program will measure and evaluate the effectiveness of newly implemented initiatives to ensure continuous improvement and success in supporting students’ educational journeys.