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Tennessee Tech earns 2024 homeschooling-friendly certification
Tech students wave to the crowd at the university’s annual homecoming parade, held
last year on Nov. 3.
For the second year in a row, Tennessee Tech University has earned the “homeschooling-friendly
certification” seal from Homeschooling Parent magazine.
The designation recognizes organizations and companies’ commitment to homeschooling
communities – something that Ted McWilliams, assistant director of admissions at Tech,
says has been a concerted effort on the university’s part in recent years.
“We’ve had a passion to reach out to the homeschooled population,” said McWilliams.
“Today, there are approximately 40,0000 homeschooled students in Tennessee and the
number is growing each year. It’s becoming a population that other universities are
starting to catch up to, but we’ve really made an effort to reach out on a consistent
basis over these last few years.”
For McWilliams, the work is personal. He noticed when speaking to his sister-in-law,
who homeschooled her children, that homeschooling communities sometimes had trouble
finding information about admissions requirements and did not always get the same
level of outreach and support from universities that a traditional high school might
receive, despite the high-quality educational background that homeschooled students
often bring.
“The students are bright, they’re socially interactive and they are typically getting
a rigorous education,” said McWilliams. “We decided that we’re going to reach out
to these groups by social media, speaking to civic organizations, visiting with faith
groups and by other means. We tell people, ‘If there are families in your area doing
homeschooling, we are happy to talk with them just like we would any other school.’”
McWilliams noted that, last year, the university began offering dedicated time for
homeschooled students to attend its annual Upper Cumberland College Fair and meet
with not only admissions counselors from Tech, but also other colleges and universities
from across the state.
“We had about 26 homeschoolers from the local area,” added McWilliams. “They were
so appreciative.”
Karen Lykins, vice president for enrollment and communication at Tech, said the homeschooling-friendly
seal is further evidence of how Tech puts students first.
“Tennessee Tech has always been about creating an inviting, welcoming university experience
for students, and we want homeschool students to know that they can be bold, fearless,
confident and kind here," said Lykins. “Many homeschooled students are making valuable
contributions to this campus community while they discover what it means to live ‘Wings
Up’ as a Golden Eagle. Our message to homeschooled students is that there is a place
for you here at Tennessee Tech.”
Tech is ranked as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report and offers
more than 200 programs of study. Tech grads leave with the least debt of all public
universities in the state. In fact, based on total cost and alumni earnings, Tech
provides students with the highest return on investment for any public university
in Tennessee, according to PayScale.
Learn more and apply for admission today at www.tntech.edu/apply.
