Research Priority

Postsecondary Readiness

About the Research

EPSOs—high school academic offerings that expose students to advanced coursework and build their foundational career skills—are a key lever for increasing postsecondary enrollment and completion. Increasing EPSO participation and completion is part of a district-wide strategy to improve college and career readiness for all students. This series of studies seeks to identify and implement innovative strategies to increase EPSO participation and success within the district.

Related News & Publications

October 21, 2026
2025-26 Year in Review
August 31, 2026
AVID’s Impact on College Readiness and Enrollment
November 17, 2025
From Research to Practice: How Co-Design Supports College and Career Readiness in MNPS Schools
June 17, 2025
Second Annual Research Symposium Gathers VU, MNPS Leaders in Partnership
March 12, 2024
Why EPSOs Matter: Preliminary Analysis of EPSO Completion and Student Outcomes

Working Group Members

METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Teresa Atkinson
Director of Postsecondary Advising and Readiness Systems

Brittaney Baker
Practice Fellow, CCR Data Coordinator

Sanjana Ballal-Link
Executive Director of Counseling and Advising

Jeremiah Davis
CTE Coordinator

Stacey Foster 
CTE Coordinator

Joe Gordon
Director of Counseling and Advising

Yolanda Jackson
Family Engagement Coordinator

Joe Kelly
AVID Coordinator

Emily Munn 
Director, Advanced Academics

Matthew Nelson
Executive Director, College & Career Readiness

Kwame Nti
Senior CCR Information Analyst

Daniel Phillips 
Director of Career Academics

David Williams
Deputy Chief of Academics

Stanley Young
Coordinator, Advanced Academic

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

Sean Corcoran
Professor of Public Policy & Education

Brent Evans
Associate Professor

Erin Henrick 
Co-Director, Assistant Professor of the Practice

Maria Maria Castillo
Doctoral Student