423-820-8181
NiswongerCARE
College and Career Advising
About NiswongerCARE
For more than a decade, NiswongerCARE has been helping students across Northeast Tennessee discover their future and achieve their postsecondary goals. Through personalized college and career advising, we empower students to confidently pursue the pathway that is right for them—whether that's a four-year university, community college, Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), military service, or direct entry into the workforce.
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Serving 24 rural high schools and thousands of students each year, NiswongerCARE partners with schools to build a culture where postsecondary success is expected, supported, and attainable for every student. Our advisors work alongside school counselors to provide individualized guidance on college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, career exploration, dual enrollment, Tennessee Promise, FAFSA completion, and postsecondary planning.
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Since launching in 2015, NiswongerCARE has become one of Tennessee's leading rural college and career advising initiatives. Students served through the program consistently exceed state averages in postsecondary enrollment while earning millions of dollars in financial aid each year. More importantly, they gain the confidence, knowledge, and support needed to successfully transition into life after high school.
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Investing in Students—and Tennessee's Future
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NiswongerCARE's impact extends far beyond the students we serve. Our innovative near-peer advising model develops emerging professionals who bring energy, relatability, and current knowledge to the advising experience. Since the program began, more than 100 advisors have served Northeast Tennessee schools, and 57% have gone on to careers in K–12 education or higher education, strengthening Tennessee's future education workforce.
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Supporting Students Beyond High School
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Recognizing that the transition after graduation is one of the most vulnerable points in a student's educational journey, NiswongerCARE expanded its services in 2024 with two innovative initiatives:
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BigBrightFuture helps graduating seniors successfully navigate the transition from high school to college during the summer months, reducing "summer melt."
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NiswongerSTART, developed in partnership with Northeast State Community College and Walters State Community College, provides one-on-one mentoring to help first-year college students persist, overcome challenges, and reach graduation.
Together, these programs ensure that support doesn't end at high school graduation—it continues until students are successfully launched into their postsecondary journey.
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Our Mission
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At NiswongerCARE, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and pursue a meaningful future. Through strong school partnerships, personalized advising, and innovative support services, we are transforming postsecondary success across Northeast Tennessee—one student, one school, and one community at a time.
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