Hutchins Academy Student Lands Scholarship To Bluesky Institute
CHATTANOOGA, TN—Jaleeya McDowell, a distinguished senior at Hutchins Academy and STEM School Chattanooga, has achieved a significant milestone by being accepted into the prestigious BlueSky Tennessee Institute with a full scholarship. This innovative program, powered by East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, offers an accelerated path to a technology degree and guaranteed employment opportunities.
McDowell has been awarded the ETSU BlueSky Tennessee Institute Computing Scholarship. This comprehensive "last dollar" award covers all academic costs, including a computer and textbooks, effectively reducing her total educational expenses to zero. This accelerated program will enable her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computing in just over two years, and upon completion, she will receive a job offer from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
"I am very excited to be accepted into the BlueSky program, and I hope to accomplish great things in preparation for my degree in computer science," says McDowell.
McDowell's achievement marks another milestone for Hutchins Academy. She becomes the fourth senior to secure a full-ride scholarship, bringing the total to five full scholarships among the graduating class. This remarkable accomplishment demonstrates the school's commitment to preparing students for prestigious educational opportunities.
"The BlueSky Institute represents the kind of revolutionary educational opportunity that our young people deserve," says Hutchins Academy Director Marie Mott. "When we talk about breaking down barriers to success, this is exactly what we mean – innovative programs that eliminate financial obstacles and create direct pathways to high-paying careers. With 4,100 annual IT job openings in Tennessee and only 1,000 qualified graduates, programs like this aren't just changing individual lives – they're transforming entire communities. Hutchins Academy's success in securing multiple full scholarships proves that when you invest in our children's potential, they will exceed every expectation."
The BlueSky Tennessee Institute represents a groundbreaking approach to addressing Tennessee's technology workforce gap while providing students with debt-free education and guaranteed career opportunities. This program not only benefits individual students like Jaleeya McDowell, but also contributes to the growth and prosperity of the entire community, making higher education more accessible and career-focused for Tennessee students.
