Ultimately it came down to a decision between a full scholarship at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga versus Smith, a women's college in Massachusetts.

"What they did so well was not letting us get carried away with the numbers," she said. "He was working to make sure I was keeping my interest in check in relation to the financial cost."

She eventually chose Smith.

Since opening in March, the center has helped 170 kids, said Jeff Dotts, college access coordinator. Most students were recent graduates looking for options after high school. Read more of this article...