Earlier this month, Leadership Memphis and the Memphis Talent Dividend joined with city and private sector leaders to celebrate the dedication of the Graduate Memphis College Resource Center at the Benjamin Hooks Central Library.

Since opening in July, the center has reached more than 400 potential students, with 20 already re-enrolled in a local college.

An action initiative of Leadership Memphis and the Memphis Talent Dividend:  College Attainment Initiative, the Graduate Memphis College Resource Center is devoted to post-secondary education attainment among Memphis-area adults. Onsite counselors offer guidance on every step of the re-application process – from financial aid assistance to admission forms and deadlines.  In addition, an interactive website and toll-free number offer prospective students off-site assistance options. All services are free to participants.

Graduate Memphis has partnered with local colleges and universities that are fully regionally accredited, have high graduation rates, and offer courses that are flexible, focused, and convenient for adults.

The goal of the program is to help increase college attainment in the Mid-South by one percentage point over the next five years, a move that would create a $1 billion dollar annual economic impact locally.

“The initial response to the program is proof positive that this will be a critical resource for those 200,000 Memphians who haven’t finished their degrees,” said Graduate Memphis Director Fred Turverey.  “Our team has a unique opportunity to help improve the economic environment in our city and the quality of life for all of our citizens.  We take the opportunity and the responsibility that goes with it very seriously.”