NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam is participating in a college summit at the White House.

The Republican governor was to join President Barack Obama and the first lady at the White House College Opportunity Summit on Thursday.

The event is bringing together colleges and universities, business leaders, nonprofits and others who support more college opportunities for students across the country.

During a Rotary Club luncheon in Nashville earlier this week, Haslam touted his program to cover a full ride at two-year colleges for any high school graduate.

Called Tennessee Promise, the program is a cornerstone of Haslam's "Drive to 55" campaign to improve the state's graduation rates from the current 32 percent to 55 percent by 2025 in order to help improve overall job qualifications and attract employers to the state.