Ascend Federal Credit Union Awards Scholarships to Local First-Generation College Students at TSU and Fisk University

Two students from both Tennessee State University and Fisk University received $5,000 scholarships – a total of $20,000 in scholarship funding.

“At Ascend, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities,” said Ascend President and CEO Matt Jernigan. “By awarding these scholarships to first-generation students at Fisk and TSU, we are not just investing in their futures, but also in the future of our Middle Tennessee communities. We are proud to support these exceptional students as they embark on their educational journeys and strive to make a lasting impact on the world.”

Tennessee State University, a public historically black land-grant university in Nashville, Tennessee, is the only state-funded historically Black university in the state. Fisk University, the oldest higher education institution in Nashville, is a private Black liberal arts college and was the first African American institution to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Both universities serve the Middle Tennessee community by delivering innovation, talent, and economic development.

“We are deeply grateful to Ascend Federal Credit Union for their generous commitment to our first-generation students,” said Jermaine Fisher, Fisk University scholarship coordinator. “Fisk University has prioritized increasing opportunity and encouraging further advancement of our student body for more than 150 years. These scholarships will aid our students by providing invaluable support while they strive for academic excellence.”

Fisk University selected La’Niyah Lumpkin and Jayla Bibbs as its recipients. Sadia Rodgers and Dimitrius Ausby were selected by Tennessee State University.

“This scholarship from Ascend is greatly appreciated by Tennessee State University,” said Dr. Lin Li, professor of civil engineering and interim dean of the College of Engineering. “It is important to our faculty to support our first-generation students. The funding will aid Sadia and Dimitrius in continuing their studies at TSU.”

The contributions align with Ascend’s ongoing efforts to support diverse communities across Middle Tennessee.