What Tennessee Higher Education Initiative does

Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that coordinates degree-granting college programs inside Tennessee prisons and provides comprehensive reentry support for formerly incarcerated individuals. THEI operates a three-pronged portfolio: Education Programs (coordinating associate and bachelor degree pathways through partnerships with six colleges and universities across six Tennessee Department of Correction facilities), Transitional Programs (housing, employment, mental health, and family reunification support both pre- and post-release), and Student Voice (a 2025 portfolio that institutionalizes directly impacted alumni leadership in program design). Underpinning these is the Tennessee Prison College Coalition (TPCC), a 2019-launched multi-agency convener spanning TDOC, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the Tennessee Board of Regents, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Office of Governor Bill Lee, which is also developing the state's first HEP Program Quality Indicator Tool.

THEI's core productized assets include the Navigating Forward guide (a college-navigation resource for incarcerated learners, funded by Ascendium Education Group and published May 2025), the Moving Forward Guide (a statewide reentry resource directory), the Housing Network (Ogburn House at Scarritt Bennett Center plus Busby and Doochin Houses), the Tennessee Arts and Humanities Initiative (TAHI) launched March 2024 in partnership with Trevecca Nazarene University and Belmont University, the Moving Forward Scholarship (anchored by a $16,500 CVS Health commitment under its Second Chance Program), and signature convenings such as the annual Path Forward Luncheon (raising $104K in 2023, $135K in 2024, and $175K in 2025) and the May 2024 She Changes Everything conference focused on women in reentry.

Revenue is generated entirely from philanthropy: individual donations, foundation grants (ECMC, Laughing Gull, Ascendium, Schooner, Doochin Family Trust), corporate sponsorships (CVS Health, HCA Healthcare, CoreCivic Foundation, Wellpoint, Tennessee Titans Foundation, Belmont University), and event-driven fundraising such as the Path Forward Luncheon and the Big Payback giving day. Services are delivered at no cost to justice-impacted students across the approximately 60,000-person Tennessee incarcerated population, with explicit in-prison distribution through TDOC partnerships and post-release distribution through the Nashville-based Housing Network. THEI serves three primary beneficiary segments: currently incarcerated students, post-release alumni, and justice-impacted families and communities.

Name

Tennessee Higher Education Initiative

Legal name

Tennessee Higher Education Initiative

Website

https://thei.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI) is a Nashville-based nonprofit that coordinates degree-granting college programs inside six Tennessee prisons and delivers reentry housing and support services to justice-impacted individuals statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Correctional Education and Reentry Services

NAICS

Junior Colleges (61121), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Correctional Education Programs (Community College-Delivered) (EDAHADAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reentry, Rehabilitation & Reintegration Programs (Education, Vocational, Case Management) (BPAKANAH), Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN), Community Corrections (Probation, Parole & Reentry) (BPAIAFAE)

Keywords

• Prison education programs
• Correctional higher education
• Reentry support services
• Transitional housing programs
• Justice-impacted student services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: THEI operates as a nonprofit organization that relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. The organization hosts fundraising events such as the Path Forward Luncheon and participates in giving campaigns like the Big Payback. Major donors include Schooner Foundation, Doochin Family Trust, and other foundations.
2. Foundation Grants: THEI receives grant funding from organizations such as ECMC Foundation, Laughing Gull Foundation, and Ascendium Education Group to support programming, student resources, and operational costs.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Scholarships: Corporate partners like CVS Health provide funding for scholarships (Moving Forward Scholarship of $16,500) to support justice-involved individuals pursuing post-secondary education. These partnerships fund tuition, fees, textbooks, and other educational expenses.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

THEI coordinates degree-granting college programs (associate and bachelor's) inside six Tennessee prisons through partnerships with the Tennessee Department of Correction and Tennessee colleges and universities, and delivers a portfolio of non-academic transitional support services for justice-impacted individuals covering housing, employment, mental health, family reunification, and continued education pre- and post-release. The organization also leads the Tennessee Prison College Coalition (TPCC), a cross-agency statewide coalition, and produces specialized resource guides including Navigating Forward and the Moving Forward Guide.

Product overview

THEI is a non-profit organization offering a multi-faceted portfolio of programs and services for justice-impacted individuals. The core offerings include: Education Programs & Pre-Entry (coordinating degree-granting college programs inside Tennessee prisons since 2012), Transitional Programs (providing non-academic support services including housing, employment, mental health, and family reunification), and Student Voice (empowering directly impacted students to shape their educational experience). Key initiatives include the Tennessee Prison College Coalition (TPCC) for cross-agency collaboration, Navigating Forward and Moving Forward Guide as resource guides, and the Housing Network consisting of Ogburn House, Busby House, and Doochin House for transitional housing. Additional programs include the Moving Forward Scholarship in partnership with CVS Health, Fresh Start Trainings with THEC and TBR, and the Tennessee Arts and Humanities Initiative (TAHI) for arts and humanities degree programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tennessee Prison College Coalition (TPCC): A collaborative initiative launched in 2019 for strategic and timely collaboration across state agencies, colleges and universities, and service providers to increase access and support for justice-impacted students pursuing higher education in and after prison.
• Ogburn House
• Housing Network

Products and services

• Education Programs & Pre-Entry Coordinates degree-granting associate and bachelor's college programs inside Tennessee prisons through partnerships with Nashville State Community College, Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Dyersburg State Community College, Lane College, and Trevecca Nazarene University; the THEI Education Programs team works on the ground with students and instructors across six facilities.
• Transitional Programs Provides non-academic support services for students both pre- and post-release, addressing housing, employment, family reunification, mental health, and other critical needs to support reentry.
• Student Voice Portfolio Portfolio that advances THEI's mission by empowering directly impacted students and alumni to participate in shaping their educational experience, fostering a community where directly impacted voices lead the field of higher education in prison.
• Tennessee Prison College Coalition (TPCC) Coalition led by THEI partnering TDOC, THEC, TBR, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Office of Governor Bill Lee to expand access, ensure quality and equity, and develop the first HEP Program Quality Indicator Tool for Tennessee.
• Navigating Forward Guide Collection of clear, digestible, and comprehensive college navigation materials designed specifically for incarcerated learners, including a Glossary of Terms and ready-to-use tools for Prison Education Program practitioners.
• Moving Forward Guide Comprehensive statewide resource guide outlining resources for people transitioning beyond incarceration across all regions of Tennessee, covering housing, health and mental-health services, food security, employment and career development, higher education, legal and advocacy support, and reentry information; available online and as a printed booklet distributed in prisons.
• Moving Forward Scholarship Scholarship funded by CVS Health supporting justice-involved individuals pursuing post-secondary education; funds can be used for tuition and fees, textbooks, school supplies, or prior balances at accredited institutions.
• Ogburn House Transitional housing facility for formerly incarcerated individuals located at Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, providing stable housing as a foundation for reentry success.
• Busby House Transitional housing home for THEI alumni reentering society, part of the Housing Network.
• Doochin House Transitional housing home for women reentering society, part of THEI's Housing Network under the 3 Homes for Hope campaign.
• Tennessee Arts and Humanities Initiative (TAHI) Initiative partnering Trevecca Nazarene University (Bachelor of Arts in History) and Belmont University (Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with emphases in Music, Social Justice, Creative Entertainment, and Creative Writing) to bring arts and humanities degree programs into TDOC facilities, including the TAHI Annual Inside Out Lecture Seminar.
• Fresh Start Trainings Collaboration between THEI, Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), and Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) providing training on the Correctional Education Initiative and the higher-education-in-prison landscape, with a toolkit and decal for participating college campuses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23 graduates earned Associate's Degrees with 3.68 average GPA (Class of 2018)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TICAS published a case study in March 2025 titled 'Cross-Agency Collaboration for Quality Correctional Education' highlighting the Tennessee Prison College Coalition (TPCC) and THEI's collaborative model for expanding postsecondary opportunities for justice-impacted students.
• Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024FICGN partners with THEI for alumni gatherings at Ogburn House. FICGN's Executive Director Terrell Blount spoke at events about plans to expand the international network of formerly incarcerated college graduates in Tennessee.
• Hudson LinkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024THEI's Transitional Program team visited Hudson Link in New York to explore reentry services and learn about trauma and resilience approaches that could enhance Tennessee's reintegration efforts.
• The Marshall ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024THEI connected with The Marshall Project during a trip to New York to explore reentry services and best practices in criminal justice reform.
• Jobs for the FutureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Rachel Zolensky (Deputy Director of Strategy and Impact) presented insights from THEI's reentry programs alongside colleagues from Jobs for the Future at the Texas Higher Education in Prison convening.
• A New Way of Life Reentry ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Susan Burton, founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, served as keynote speaker at THEI's She Changes Everything conference focused on women in reentry.
• Southern Higher Education in Prison Collective (SHEPC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SHEPC members visited Nashville in July 2024 to learn about THEI's programming at Turney Center and Lipscomb's LIFE program at DJRC. THEI participates in SHEPC pre-conference gatherings focused on collective care in the HEP space.
• Trevecca Nazarene UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Trevecca Nazarena University is partnering with THEI through TAHI (Tennessee Arts and Humanities Initiative) to introduce a Bachelor of Arts in History program within TDOC facilities, enhancing critical thinking, research skills, and historical perspectives among incarcerated individuals.
• Vera Institute of JusticeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Faiza Chappell from Vera Institute of Justice participated with Laura Ferguson-Mimms in a panel on establishing statewide multi-stakeholder groups and consortia for prison education programs at NCHEP 2023.
• Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022MICAH collaborated with THEI and the Education Justice Project to compile and disseminate the Tennessee Moving Forward Guide, a comprehensive resource for individuals transitioning beyond incarceration.
• Education Justice Project (EJP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022EJP collaborated with THEI and MICAH to develop the Moving Forward Guide, contributing expertise in prison education and reentry resources.
• Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019THEI partners with TDOC to coordinate degree-granting college programs inside Tennessee prisons. TDOC facilities where programs operate include Turney Center Industrial Complex, Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center, and others. This partnership enables THEI to provide educational access to approximately 60,000 incarcerated individuals in Tennessee.
• Nashville State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Nashville State Community College partners with THEI to offer associate degree programs (Business Administration, Political Science) at Turney Center Industrial Complex. THEI celebrated the Class of 2018 with 23 graduates earning degrees with a 3.68 average GPA.
• Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019THEC participates in TPCC to increase access and support for justice-impacted students pursuing higher education in and after prison. THEC provides guidance on higher education policy and coordinates with TN Reconnect on navigator services for returning citizens.
• Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019TBR participates in TPCC to support quality and equity in higher education in prison programs. Community colleges and Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) now offer certificate programs and associate degrees in the majority of TDOC facilities under TBR governance.
• Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019TDOLWD participates in TPCC to support employment pathways for justice-impacted individuals. The department provides workforce development resources and employment services for alumni transitioning from incarceration.
• Office of Governor Bill LeecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The Office of Governor Bill Lee participates in TPCC and launched the Correction Education Initiative in 2019, a commitment to invest in expanding education and re-entry opportunities inside Tennessee prisons.
• Justice Action NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Justice Action Network released a short film highlighting rehabilitative, educational, and workforce development opportunities in Tennessee's prisons, filmed inside Turney Center and Nashville's Correctional Development Center, featuring interviews with incarcerated individuals, lawmakers, and program officers.
• Belmont UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Belmont University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with emphases in Music, Social Justice, Creative Entertainment, and Creative Writing at TDOC facilities through THEI. Belmont hosts THEI's annual Path Forward Luncheon on campus and partners on student support services.
• Lipscomb UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Lipscomb University operates the LIFE program (Ladies of theonia, Fellowship, Education) offering higher education at Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center. Alumni like Adrianne Thompson completed Master's degrees through this program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• A New Way of Life Reentry Project: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing housing and reentry support to formerly incarcerated women; founder Susan Burton keynoted THEI's "She Changes Everything" conference. Comparable as a reentry-housing-plus-support peer.
• Hudson Link: Hudson Link provides higher education in New York State prisons and reentry support; THEI staff explicitly visited Hudson Link in 2024 to learn reentry and trauma-informed practices. Comparable as a direct peer operating college programs inside prisons plus alumni services.
• Education Justice Project (EJP): EJP at the University of Illinois provides college courses inside Danville Correctional Center and is a credited co-developer of THEI's Moving Forward Guide. Comparable prison-education and reentry resource peer.

Others

• Jobs for the Future: National workforce development nonprofit; co-presented with THEI's VP of Strategy & Impact at the Texas HEP convening. Comparable as a workforce-pathways peer and field-building partner.
• Correctional Education Association (CEA): Professional association for correctional educators across the U.S. Comparable as an industry-body peer operating in the same correctional-education space as THEI.
• The Marshall Project: Nonprofit journalism outlet covering criminal justice; THEI staff met with Marshall Project during a 2024 New York reentry-services trip. Comparable as a justice-sector peer that amplifies the field rather than delivers programming directly.
• Vera Institute of Justice: National research and policy organization working on incarceration and reentry; co-panelist with THEI at NCHEP 2023. Comparable as a justice-systems peer and indirect funder/partner.
• Southern Higher Education in Prison Collective (SHEPC): Regional coalition of HEP programs across southeastern U.S. states; THEI is an active member and host. Comparable as a peer ecosystem organization that THEI both participates in and helps convene.

Broad incumbents

• Bard Prison Initiative: BPI is the largest and best-known college-in-prison program in the U.S., offering degrees across multiple state systems. Comparable as the field's broad incumbent; significantly larger and national in scope vs THEI's Tennessee focus.

Emerging players

• Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN): National network of formerly incarcerated college graduates; partners with THEI on alumni gatherings at Ogburn House. Comparable as a niche peer building alumni infrastructure in the same beneficiary population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theinitiativetn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tennessee-higher-education-initiative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tennessee Higher Education Initiative