Fact: College degrees are important

By Jason T. Evans, Lieutenant General (ret.) Chief Operating Officer, TSU NASHVILLE, TN — A college degree is important. While a higher earning potential may be the most obvious benefit – and the reason many seek out a four-year degree in the first place – it’s not the only reason and may not even be the most impactful. Higher education also contributes to a longer life expectancy, better mental and physical health, and greater life satisfaction, according to the London Review of Education. These factors are part of why, through financial aid and scholarships like Tennessee HOPE lottery, Tennessee State University and other public universities in our state want to increase access to degrees for students of all backgrounds. Lowering the barriers to college lowers the barriers to happier, healthier, longer, more prosperous lives for Tennesseans. Colleges also impact the communities they are a part of. Many of Tennessee’s public universities serve as a major employer in their communities – like TSU, which employs over 1,400 people. Colleges prepare a skilled workforce, which attracts employers to start or grow businesses. And colleges bring new people to the area, who live, work and spend money in the community. Beyond these individual...