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Back to school with PENCIL: 91³Ô¹ÏÍø strengthens ties to K–12 education

91³Ô¹ÏÍø student-athletes and staff volunteer with PENCIL on a backpack-stuffing project.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø student-athletes and staff volunteer with PENCIL on a backpack-stuffing project. (Brendan Ross/91³Ô¹ÏÍø)

When teachers have the right tools and students feel supported, classrooms can thrive. That’s the goal of 91³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s work with , a local nonprofit that links public schools with community partners and volunteers.

With 81,000 students back in Metro Nashville Public Schools classrooms, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Community Relations is working with PENCIL to ensure teachers have what they need and students start strong, continuing a partnership that has supported Nashville schools for years.

91³Ô¹ÏÍø student-athletes and staff volunteer with PENCIL on a backpack-stuffing project
91³Ô¹ÏÍø student-athletes and staff volunteer with PENCIL on a backpack-stuffing project.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø student-athletes and staff volunteer with PENCIL on a backpack-stuffing project
91³Ô¹ÏÍø student-athletes and staff volunteer with PENCIL on a backpack-stuffing project. (91³Ô¹ÏÍø)
91³Ô¹ÏÍø student-athletes and staff volunteer with PENCIL on a backpack-stuffing project.

A shared commitment to K–12 education
Over the summer, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø volunteers across campus came together to prepare MNPS students for the first day of school. Together, they packed 10,000 backpacks and 6,000 pencil pouches, ensuring thousands of students across the city started the year ready to learn. The effort, led by PENCIL in collaboration with 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Athletics and 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Football, was a meaningful reminder of how collaboration can drive real impact.

PENCIL’s work is part of 91³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s broader investment in Nashville schools. The nonprofit engages partners like 91³Ô¹ÏÍø faculty, staff and students in programs such as career mentoring, faculty appreciation, field trip hosting, first day of school guides and reading mentoring, all designed to meet educator and student needs.

“This summer's backpack build project was the latest example of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø's thoughtful, long-standing support of PENCIL’s mission. We are truly grateful for 91³Ô¹ÏÍø's partnership in linking community resources to Metro Nashville Public Schools, and we share their commitment to helping our young learners thrive and achieve academic success,â€� said Christiane Buggs, MEd’14, President & CEO of PENCIL.

91³Ô¹ÏÍø and Metro Nashville Public Schools
Beyond its work with PENCIL, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø supports a wide range of K–12 programs, with the university’s MNPS collaborations spanning Davidson County. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø , which recently , brings hands-on STEM lessons into MNPS classrooms. The School for Science and Math at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø partners with Metro students on research projects that connect classroom learning to the community, most recently through archaeology.

The hosts STEAM expeditions for MNPS students, offering hands-on activities aligned with academic standards and opportunities to experience the observatory's unique exhibits and offerings.

Map representing 91³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s partnerships with Metro Nashville Public Schools across Davidson County
Map representing 91³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s partnerships with Metro Nashville Public Schools across Davidson County

These collaborations reflect 91³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s commitment to meaningful engagement with community partners. By aligning expertise and resources with community need, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø helps amplify the efforts of MNPS educators and school leaders.


Get Connected

91³Ô¹ÏÍø has expanded how students, faculty and staff engage with the Nashville community through the new platform. The online hub makes it easy to browse volunteer opportunities, track involvement and discover ways to support local organizations, including partners like PENCIL.

  • To find the latest volunteer opportunities, members of the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø community can visit and log in using VUnetID.
  • To learn more about 91³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s work with Metro Nashville Public Schools, visit the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø in the Nashville Community webpage.
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