Recent Story

Students come in many shapes and sizes, but the opportunity to be able to pursue academic interests is not always viable for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tina Gower, the founder of a new program she calls “Tiger Access,” is changing that narrative. Tina is the coordinator of this program, which has been funded through a grant from the Tennessee Department of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities to make it possible for college-aged individuals to have a successful college career. It gives them the ability to immerse themselves in the on-campus experience and all it has to offer.

The program has already begun its trial run in October of 2023 with four bright students starting slowly to integrate into Chattanooga State Community College. These students are just like anyone else, eager to learn about concepts they’re interested in, as well as harness close friendships with students and faculty members alike.

We have Anna, who is avidly interested in the culinary world while also balancing her strong passion for the Spanish language. Another student, Gabe, has an inkling that he wants to take Spanish, while later in life, he wishes to meet someone to cultivate a family life with after he fulfills his educational path. Then there’s Christopher, who has an intense desire to dive into the world of game design with his innovative ideas for creating arcade games. Lastly, we’ve had Luca, who you may have already seen on campus due to his outgoing nature. Since he’s a natural speaker, he wishes to go into communications and make his mark on the world through his powerful gift for speech.

Students like these are already beginning to add a vibrancy that the campus has never seen before while creating equal opportunity for all who wish to learn. For current Tennessee Promise volunteers, this program offers a special chance to give back to the community by helping these students further accelerate their familiarity with campus life and responsibilities by acting as mentors. This will not only ease the stress for incoming students but also offer current students an experience that will change how education is viewed. Once integrated into the program, students can spend two years on campus and gain a certificate of completion as well as skills that will build their workforce development.

If someone you know might be interested in enrolling in the Tiger Access program, all you need to start their journey is their ID, insurance, proof of disability, academic transcripts, and three references. Tina Gower is located in OMNI 127 for additional questions about the program.