tnAchieves is more than programs. We represent a student-centered continuum, driving economic prosperity for Tennessee students by Building Tennessee’s Future Workforce.
Mentor registration for the tnAchieves class of 2027 is open. In this special episode of At Scale, our team looks back at why the mentor program started in 2008, how it has changed to meet student needs, and what it takes to be a mentor today. Chief Content Officer Ben Sterling, Chief Community and Government Affairs Officer Graham Thomas, Vice President of Workforce Tyler Ford, and Director of Mentors Baylor Atkins walk through the program's history, the move to an opt-in model, the shift to virtual mentoring, and the newer Workforce Mentoring track for students transitioning into their careers. Registration is open now, and we're recruiting 5,000 mentors by November 20.
This month's At Scale newsletter recaps Summer Institute's conclusion at Southwest Tennessee Community College, where students wrapped six weeks of coursework with nine college credits each. It also covers the official Memphis launch of MemACCESS, a new partnership with Memphis-Shelby County Schools built on coaching, clear next steps and community investment. Finally, it highlights July's statewide Job Shadow Days, where students explored careers across more than 20 partner organizations, including a look behind the scenes with the latest At Scale episode featuring Hilton.
Hilton has been a tnAchieves partner since 2011, opening its doors to students through job shadow days, internships, and its early-talent Launch program. On this episode of At Scale, Hope Thomas, Senior Manager of HR Consulting at Hilton, joins hosts Ben Sterling and Tyler Ford to talk about what that partnership looks like in practice and why it matters. They cover career exposure, professional skill-building, workplace culture, and what students should know as they think about post-secondary opportunity and career pathways in Tennessee.
tnAchieves is more than programs. We represent a student-centered continuum, driving economic prosperity for Tennessee students by Building Tennessee’s Future Workforce. tnAchieves graduates will generate an estimated $40.6–$45.9 billion in lifetime earnings1 , a direct return on helping more Tennessee students complete postsecondary credentials — prosperity that extends to their families and communities.