Who We Are

How we got started:

Jim Ayers, a successful banker and businessman from the rural west Tennessee town of Parsons, was one of the first in his family to graduate from college.
In 1999, he formed The Ayers Foundation as a way to give back to his hometown. Jim and his wife, Janet, believe education is the best way to open doors, remove barriers, and give people choices. They started the Ayers Scholars Program at Riverside High School to help students from his alma mater go to college. Today, the Ayers Scholars Program operates in 33 high schools across the state.

Meet our Team

Meet our Leadership Team and get to know our College Access Counselors and Student Success Coordinators. Our team members work tirelessly to support our current Ayers Scholars and Alumni by removing barriers that hinder them from reaching their educational and career goals. Our staff collaborate closely with but are independent from the school administration and all of their costs are covered by the Ayers Foundation Trust

OUR TEAM

OUR COUNSELING TEAM

Our History

September 17, 1999

The Ayers Foundation officially approved as a 501 C3

1999

Ayers Scholars Program begins at Riverside High School

May 2003

Leeanne Tucsnak is the first Ayers Foundation Scholar to graduate from a four-year university. She completed her degree from Union University in just three years.

August 2004

Ayers Scholars Program begins at Scotts Hill High School

August 2007

Janet Ayers named President of the Ayers Foundation

March 2009

Ayers Scholars Program begins at Perry County High School

August 2011

Ayers Scholars Program begins at Lexington High School

August 2016

Ayers Scholars Program begins at Unicoi High School

November 8, 2019

The Ayers Foundation opens headquarters in the childhood home of founder Jim Ayers in Parsons, TN

August 2021

Governor Bill Lee and the state legislature invested in the Ayers Foundation Trust to scale the Ayers Scholars Program to 11 high schools in seven additional counties

January 2023

Dr. Burton Williams named CEO of Ayers Foundation Trust

August 2023

The legislature funded a second expansion to an additional ten counties in 2023. In total, the Ayers Foundation Trust now provides services to 33 high schools in 21 counties.