KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — TNAchieves said it needs 600 volunteer mentors — and the application deadline is Dec. 6.

The mentors spend one hour a month helping students transition from high school to college. They provide reminders, serve as a resource and offer encouragement to students entering college — an intimidating step for many new high school graduates.

TNAchieves said many Tennessee Promise students are the first in their families to go to college. In a press release, a program spokesperson said the students “simply need a little extra guidance and encouragement through the process.”

These East Tennessee counties near Knoxville still need mentors:

• Anderson: 13 mentors
• Blount: 9 mentors
• Campbell: 5 mentors
• Grainger: 2 mentors
• Morgan: 12 mentors
• Scott: 8 mentors
• Sevier: 9 mentors
• Union: 4 mentors

Across the state, tnAchieves said it needs 1,678 mentors. The organization provided this map, which shows what percentage of mentors each county has. FULL STORY HERE