The Tennessee Higher Education Commission provides goods and services to all students, families, and school related personnel on the efforts to educate, improve, and support the college-going process. This session will cover many of the goods and services available to school counselors on how to shape conversations and grow school cultures to become “College-Going” centered.
Dr. Dustin Rawls brings more than 20 years of higher education experience, with a career rooted in enrollment management and student success. His background spans admissions, orientation, first-year experience, parent and family programs, financial aid, and Greek life. He also spent nearly a decade as an adjunct professor in the education and psychology departments, teaching courses such as Leadership and Administration as well as General and Social Psychology.
Dr. Rawls currently serves as the Assistant Director of Statewide Services for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. In this role, he focuses on developing access and success programs and procedures that support students, families, and school counselors throughout the college-going journey.
Outside of work, Dr. Rawls is married to Mandy Smith Rawls, a CTE teacher at Cookeville High School, and is the proud father of two children—Dylan (12) and Madison (16). He serves on the board of directors for Rising Above Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families navigating a special‑needs diagnosis and Tennessee State University’s Ed.D Department of Education Practice & Leadership. Dr. Rawls also leads the Men’s Ministry at his church and has a deep passion for discipleship and sharing the hope of Jesus.
