Overview

Our Mission

Our mission is to assist economically disadvantaged and/or potential first generation college students from Cheatham, Houston and Stewart counties with:

1)      the college enrollment process and

2)       the academic and social skills needed for persistence through graduation from college.

Target Area

We serve Cheatham County Central High School, Houston County High School and Stewart County High School.  TCUB Participants must be attending one of these  high schools.

Requirements for Participation in TCUB

To be chosen for participation in TCUB, an applicant must:

1)      Be living with a family that is “low income” as demonstrated by tax records or other official proof and/or a potential first generation college student (no parent has graduated from a 4-year college).

2)      Foster-care children automatically qualify for TCUB.

3)      Complete the TCUB application process, including an interview.

Academic Year Component

TCUB provides nine (9) monthly Saturday Sessions, September through May, on the Austin Peay State University campus.  Saturday Sessions usually consist of tutoring or instruction in the morning followed by lunch and a social/cultural activity in the afternoon.

Summer Session

Summer Session is a 6-week simulation of a college-going experience on the APSU campus.  The goals of Summer Session are to increase academic skills, social skills and cultural awareness.  TCUB students live on the APSU campus during the week and return home for the weekend.  Each participant takes five (5) academic classes and one elective class.  The academic classes are designed to build competency in the areas of writing, literature, math, foreign languages and science.   Elective classes are usually active classes that get students ‘up and moving’.  If participants successfully complete the academic and elective classes, they are rewarded with a three-day, all expenses paid group trip to a major city.  The reward trip is entirely free.   

Bridge

Bridge consists of taking two, 3-hour classes at APSU during Summer Term I.  However, each potential Bridge student must apply to and be accepted by APSU on his/her own academic merit.  Participation in Bridge is not guaranteed, nor is it required.  It is simply an option for TCUB participants who are graduating from high school.  APSU’s Admission requirements can be found at: www.apsu.edu/admissions .  Summer Term I is five-weeks in length and covers the same amount of material that is covered in a normal 16-week semester class.  Tuition, room, meals and textbooks are provided by TCUB.  Bridge students are also eligible to take the final “reward” trip if they earn at least a “C” in each class. 

Daniel B. Botula
botulad@apsu.edu