CSCC Honors First Early College Graduates Earning Associate Degree, HS Diploma In Same Month

What started as a new way to look at education four years ago, has now generated the first group of graduates from the Tennessee Valley Early College at Cleveland State Community College.

In 2016, a group of freshmen from Cleveland High School became the inaugural class of the then new TVEC at Cleveland State. This program was designed to help high school students work towards their high school diploma, while also earning their associate degree at the same time.

“These students have put themselves two years ahead of their peers,” said Dr.

Bill Seymour, Cleveland State Community College president. “They are likely to finish their four-year degree two years sooner than their peers, take on less debt and gain two extra years of income. You can’t beat that.” 

During the first two years of the TVEC program, freshmen and sophomores are enrolled in courses at their high schools. They are courses that could earn the students college credit if they pass the Dual Credit exam.

Once students in the program become juniors they then enroll as full-time students with Cleveland State Community College. The 15 students set to graduate this month will actually earn both a high school diploma from their high school, as well as an associate degree from Cleveland State.

Kelli Roach, Cleveland State coordinator of Early College & Dual Enrollment and assistant director of Admissions, spoke highly of this first graduating class. “I am incredibly proud of these seniors being the first group in the Early College program to follow it through to completion,” said Ms. Roach. “They endured and accomplished a lot. One student is graduating from our Honors College, we had a couple students in the student senate, and one was going to be a lead actress in The Miracle Worker. On the flip side, we had some keep their high school roots, one in high school band and one a dancer. They really grasped on to the program’s goal. These seniors are prepared to leave their mark on the world through unique perspectives, strong work ethics and a wide variety of talents. I had the opportunity to work with them one-on-one the past two years, and they have a special place in my heart.”

Dr. Seymour says that, from the very beginning, the Tennessee Valley Early College Program is one that all parties saw as an amazing opportunity for the students.

“I remember the day when I attended the Cleveland City Schools Board of Directors’ meeting when they approved joining the Cleveland State TVEC program,” said Dr. Seymour. “Both institutions saw the vision of this program and understood that we were taking big steps towards educating students in our community. I am particularly proud of this first cohort. It is not often you get to be the first at doing something so special. They have set a standard for how high school students can get the most of going to college.”

Next fall, the fifth cohort from Cleveland High School will enter TVEC. “We are excited for our first TVEC cohort to graduate from Cleveland State,” added Autumn O’Brien, Cleveland High School principal. “We are thankful for the opportunity provided by Cleveland State for our students to earn an associate degree while in high school.  This is a tremendous accomplishment for our students.” 

With both Bradley Central and Walker Valley High School partnering with CSCC’s TVEC in 2019, this fall will mark the second year a new class of freshmen from both high schools will take part. Now, with all three public high schools in Bradley County in this relationship with Cleveland State, this first graduation of TVEC students has all parties celebrating. “I’m very proud of our first graduates from the Tennessee Valley Early College program,” said Dr. Russell Dyer, director of Cleveland City Schools. “The partnership between Cleveland High and Cleveland State is strong and our students are the beneficiaries.  I look forward to seeing future students find success through this innovative initiative.”

Now, with COVID-19 postponing Cleveland State’s graduation ceremony until July 31, the college wishes to take this opportunity to recognize the members of the inaugural graduating class of the TVEC who have now completed all requirements for their associate degrees:

Aailyah Crammer, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, where she will study the recording industry. After college, she hopes to create music, collaborate with other artists and, hopefully, one day, win a Grammy. 

Aaliyah Davis, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She wants to become an esthetician nurse, open her own business and create her own skin care line. 

Abigail Flores, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend Lee University in Cleveland, where she will study public administration. After college, she plans to become a criminal investigator. 

Briza Dedicatoria, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, where she will enroll in the Honors College and study biochemistry and pre-med. She plans on working in pediatrics with a focus on oncology and hematology. 

Emily Brock, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she will study biochemistry. She hopes to attend medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon after graduating. 

Emily Rollins, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fl., where she will study marine biology. After graduating, she hopes to become a marine biologist. 


Gianna Wright, who was homeschooled, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend Lee University in Cleveland, where she will study secondary education with a minor in deaf studies. She also wants to become a history teacher for special populations after graduating from Lee. 

Grayson Payne, who was homeschooled, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ar., where she will study international business. She also will swim on scholarship for the Lady Razorbacks. After college, she hopes to become a business owner and travel the world. 

Holly McDaniel, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend Lee University in Cleveland, where she will study political science. After college, she hopes to work in government either by becoming a lawyer or working in government relations. 

Jannat Saeed, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. At Cleveland State, she was recognized as an Outstanding Honors Student. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she will enroll in the Honors College and study software engineering and political science. After college, she hopes to become a software engineer, earn her doctorate to teach at a university, and also delve into the political world. 


Kristin Jump, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans on attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she will study sociology. We congratulate her on a job well done and wish her the best of luck going forward.

Madison Collins, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she will study interior architecture and design. After college, she plans on becoming an interior designer. We congratulate her on a job well done and wish her the best of luck going forward.

Makena DeLuca, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend Lee University in Cleveland, where she will study nursing. She hopes to become a registered nurse after college and then become a nurse anesthetist. 

Riya Patel, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she will study computer engineering. She plans to become a computer engineer after graduating from UTK. 

Savannah Baker, from Cleveland High School, will graduate from the TVEC program in 2020. She plans to attend Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, where she will study biochemistry. She also plans to attend medical school upon graduating from MTSU.