Hope Bakari M.Ed: Educator. Advocate. Change Agent

Hope L. Bakari, M.Ed., is an educational leader, advocate, and champion for student success with more than 37 years of experience in secondary education.

[Hope Bakari M.Ed: Educator. Advocate. Change Agent @HopeBakari1]

When students are given meaningful access to rigorous coursework and a community that believes in their potential, the results can be extraordinary! @TNedu @rucoschools

[Hope Bakari M.Ed: Educator. Advocate. Change Agent @HopeBakari1]

“Students from underserved populations have several things working against them; most disheartening is expectation. Some people think students who come from limited resources aren’t capable of achieving greatness. Lack of expectation often translates into lack of opportunity.”

[Hope Bakari M.Ed: Educator. Advocate. Change Agent @HopeBakari1]

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary

[Hope Bakari M.Ed: Educator. Advocate. Change Agent @HopeBakari1]

Our LHS Early College at Motlow has grown into the largest producer of Associate degrees though dual enrollment in the entire state. @MotlowState

[Hope Bakari M.Ed: Educator. Advocate. Change Agent @HopeBakari1]

Leading this program is so fulfilling! Amazing students. Amazing outcomes!

[LaVergne High Early College at Motlow State @LHEarlyCollege]

LaVergne High School Early College at Motlow has become THE largest producer of associate degree graduates through dual enrollment in the ENTIRE state with 62 earning degrees in 2026. @LHSintheNews @rucoschools @CollegeSystemTN @SBEd_TN @TNedu @MotlowState @MTSU @HopeBakari1

[LaVergne High Early College at Motlow State @LHEarlyCollege]

Congratulations LHS Early College graduates! You did it!!!!! @johnsone_rcs @SBEd_TN @CollegeSystemTN

[LaVergne High Early College at Motlow State @LHEarlyCollege]

HUGE congratulations to this group of SIXTY-TWO LaVergne High School seniors for earning not only a high school diploma, but also their ASSOCIATE DEGREE from Motlow State Community College @MotlowState @MTSU @SBEd_TN @rucoschools @TNHigherEd @CollegeSystemTN

[LaVergne High Early College at Motlow State @LHEarlyCollege]

The LHS Early College at Motlow immerses our students on a college campus, allowing them to leverage the resources of both Motlow State and LHS. Students experience full access to the MSCC clubs, activities, and resources, with dedicated LHS staff members to help guide them.

[LaVergne High Early College at Motlow State @LHEarlyCollege]

As ‘Fast Lane’ initiative begins, MTSU recognizes commitment from 17 La Vergne dual enrollment seniors https://t.co/D45DgU6YVK via @@mtsunews @MTSU @WSMV

[Hope Bakari M.Ed: Educator. Advocate. Change Agent @HopeBakari1]

Since its launch, the LHS Early College at Motlow has shown steady growth and rising academic performance. The inaugural graduating class of 2022 included 29 students. The program expanded to: 32 graduates in 2023, 36 in 2024, 42 in 2025, and 62 students in the class of 2026.

[Rutherford County Schools @rucoschools]

61 LaVergne High seniors earn associate degree before graduating high school

Students earn degree through early college partnership with Motlow; students now pursuing four-year degrees

April 28, 2026

By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools

More than 60 seniors from LaVergne High School officially have officially earned an associate degree from Motlow State Community College — two weeks before their graduation ceremony from high school. 

The students completed their degrees through the joint partnership early college program between the high school, the college and the school district.

These students each proudly proclaim they graduated college before graduating high school, as the high school's traditional graduation will be held later in May.

The Early College graduates held a college signing day on April 24. Many of the students will be pursuing their bachelor's degrees with universities including Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State, Belmont, and the University of Tennessee, Tennessee Tech, and several others. 

For more information about the LaVergne High School's Early College program at Motlow, check out: https://t.co/ZJj0Dp1yHC 

LaVergne High School Early College Class of 2026:
Mena Abouelyamin — MTSU
Joseph Adekplor — UTK
Jazlyn Aguilar Parra — Tennessee Tech
Ahmad Al-salehy — MTSU
Yasmin Alvares Torres — Lipscomb
Lydia Ayano — Belmont
Jacsyn Britda-Baldwin — UTK
Gabriel Blake — University of Memphis
Zara Botchway — UTC
Carson Brewer — MTSU
Akayla Brown — MTSU
Arabella Brzuchalski — MTSU
Kendra Castillo Montes — Belmont
Mimi Cisse — Tuskegee
Katelin Coffey — UTC
Mauricio Cortes — MTSU
Johnathan Dawit — UTK
Angel Delarosa — Williams College
Sara Farg — MTSU
Mariel Gad — Lipscomb
Jirana Galindo — Trevecca
Abril Garcia — Belmont
Jason Guevara Pena — Southeastern University
Anthony Guzman — MTSU
Ranya Hatem — MTSU
Daniela Ramos — MTSU
Jasmine Remy — UTC
Elijah Roney — MTSU
Valerie Sanchez — Belmont
Laterra Sanders — Alabama A&M
Michiah Scales — UT Martin
Lindsey Hernandez Rayo — Lipscomb
Indira Houston — UTC
Jonnie Islam — MTSU
Deshawn Jackson — Belmont
Kennedy Jackson — TSU
Jay Jerome — MTSU
Elina Kaldas — Belmont
Serra Kincaid — Trevecca
Verania Landeros — MTSU
Antonio Mayers — Belmont
Aniah McElrath — TSU
Alexander McGowan — MTSU
Melany Mendez — Belmont
Freddy Mills — Wash U
Layla Montgomery — MTSU
Alexis Moody — UTK
David Nunez — TSU
Chisom Obi — Johnson & Wales
Kelvin Ojiego — Tuskegee
Nerik Oropeza Lemus — MTSU
Chloe Osteen — Belmont
Fatima Paz Lazo — MTSU
Neela Phonsana — MTSU
Melisa Pupalovic — MTSU
Tatianna Vasques — UTC
Genesis Zamora — Belmont
Lyric White — Austin Peay
Cullen Thornhill — MTSU/MARINES
Derrick Skipper — MTSU
Hannah Stanfill — Quanta

[LaVergne High Early College at Motlow State @LHEarlyCollege]

A HUGE congratulations to this group of SIXTY-TWO LaVergne High School seniors for earning not only a high school diploma, but also their ASSOCIATE DEGREE from Motlow State Community College
@MotlowState @MTSU @SBEd_TN
@rucoschools @TNHigherEd @CollegeSystemTN

[LaVergne High Early College at Motlow State @LHEarlyCollege]

We're so proud of our scholarship recipients! These @LHSintheNews students are heading to @TSUedu @aamuedu @TuskegeeUniv and @RiceUNews Congratulations!

[Hope Bakari M.Ed: Educator. Advocate. Change Agent @HopeBakari1]

The Early College at LaVergne High School in Rutherford County, Tennessee—one of the state’s four largest school districts—was born from a simple yet ambitious vision: to expand opportunity, elevate achievement, and redefine what is possible for our students. @TNedu

[IT WORKS! @ItWorksGlobal]

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[Women's Health @WomensHealthMag]

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