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KINGSPORT HOSTS ‘STRAIGHT TO THE TOP’ CONFERENCE
Two-day Event Shines Light on Education, Economic and Community Development
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The City of Kingsport, which has been nationally recognized for its innovations in furthering economic development through education, is hosting its second annual “Straight To The Top” conference, a two-day summit of thought leaders from the economic development and education arenas.
“Now is the time,” said Dennis Phillips, Mayor of Kingsport. “A new state administration is in office, Race to the Top is here and the Complete College Act is rolling out. These changes will shape the way we educate our children and build our communities. With ‘Straight To The Top,’ we will give educators and economic and community development officials an opportunity to ask questions of the leaders in their fields and get a glimpse into the future of education.”
The conference, which is planned for June 16-17 at the Meadowview Resort and Convention Center, will feature speakers such as Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman; Jamie Woodson, President and CEO - SCORE; James Rogers, Chairman and CEO - Eastman Chemical Company; Dr. Richard Rhoda, Executive Director - Tennessee Higher Education Commission; and Dr. Bill Daggett, CEO - International Center of Leadership Education.
Kingsport has been at the forefront of aligning K-college education efforts with its economic development goals. With its “Academic Village” in the heart of the city, including the Regional Center for Health Professions, the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing and the Kingsport Center for Higher Education, Kingsport has more than 2,000 students coming into the city each day learning the skills necessary to join an increasingly well-educated work force.
In 2009, the city of Kingsport won the Harvard Kennedy School’s “Innovations in Government” award on the strengths of its higher education initiatives as well as the city’s “Educate and Grow” program, the nation’s first initiative by a city to provide scholarships to fund post-secondary education for qualified students. Kingsport was one of the top two winners out of more than 700 applicants from across the country.
The two-day conference will include remarks by experts and breakout sessions regarding the state’s education reform efforts, including K-12 and higher education, teacher evaluation, and discussions on strategies for achieving economic stability through education excellence.
“Change is happening now,” said Dr. Janice H. Gillam, president of Northeast State Community College. “This event and the discussions regarding Race to the Top and the Complete College Act will give us a snapshot of the future of education.”
For more information about the event, including a full conference agenda, or to register, visit www.straighttothetopconference.com. This two-day conference is free.
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