First-gen students at this HBCU receive $5,000 scholarships from Ascend Federal Credit Union

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Tennessee State University's You First Project is a network for first-generation students at TSU.

The project's activities include improving enrollment and graduation rates in Health and STEM degree programs, and providing support for all students and faculty for academic success.

This week, the project announced that two TSU students, Dimitrius Ausby, a rising sophomore studying computer science, and Dasia Rodgers, a rising senior studying business administration, received $5,000 scholarships from Ascend Federal Credit Union.

These scholarships are aimed at supporting the educational pursuits of diverse, first-generation students across Middle Tennessee.

Rodgers aspires to pursue a career in the sports marketing industry after college, while Ausby is involved in several student organizations and aims to become a data scientist.

The scholarship will help both students reduce financial burdens.

Ascend President and CEO Matt Jernigan highlighted the transformative power of education in changing lives and communities.

Dr. Ashanti Chunn, the assistant director for TSU's You First Project, emphasized the importance of supporting first-generation students, stating that it goes beyond academic success.