At Scale Newsletter: October 2026
This month's At Scale Newsletter covers a lot of ground: 5,498 miles on the 2026 Prosperity Tour, 17 new Mentor Hall of Fame inductees and a celebration of National Transfer Student Week.
67 Counties, 5,498 Miles and One Shared Goal
Counselors, educators, employers and community partners joined tnAchieves at Prosperity Tour stops across Tennessee.
From Aug. 31 to Oct. 1, the 2026 Prosperity Tour took tnAchieves to every county we serve to hear from counselors, educators, employers and community partners about what is working for students and where they need more support. Thank you to every host site, from community colleges, TCATs and universities to high schools, chambers of commerce and community partners.
67 counties | 5,498 miles | 550 attendees | 18 days
Partners across the state told us that COMPLETE Grants and coaching are critical to helping students finish. That is the heart of 60 by 2030, our statewide goal of a 60% three-year graduation rate by 2030. Funding for COMPLETE is coming to an end, and reaching this goal will take a strong public-private partnership.
Add your name or your organization to 60 by 2030. Show Tennessee leaders that your community stands behind this goal. Signing on takes under a minute, with no financial commitment.
Honoring Mentors Who Return Year After Year
At stops along the Prosperity Tour, we thanked 192 mentors who have served every year since the first Tennessee Promise class in 2015. That same commitment is at the heart of the 2026 Mentor Hall of Fame, which honors 17 mentors who help students move from high school to college to career, some for more than 15 years.
"Our mentors represent the very best of Tennessee. They generously give their time, share their experiences and remind students that someone believes in them and their future," said Randy Boyd, tnAchieves Board Chairman.
Meet the 2026 Mentor Hall of Fame
Debra Bennett, Shelby County | 9 years
Carolyn Clemmons, Roane County | 11 years
Scott Cook, Dyer County | 6 years
Russell Dyer, Shelby County | 8 years
Paula Fuller, Madison County | 12 years
Larenda Fultz, Dyer County | 14 years
Duane Gregg, Monroe County | 12 years
Jeff Lemon, Hamilton County | 9 years
Baylor Nicole Love, Knox County | 12 years
John McDevitt, Knox County | 17 years
John Meade, Knox County | 17 years
Lynne Musick, Davidson County | 14 years
Tim O'Donnell, Williamson County | 11 years
Michelle Pallotta, Morgan County | 15 years
Lucile Sorrells, Bedford County | 12 years
Mike St. Charles, Hamilton County | 10 years
Jama Spicer Sutton, Sevier County | 14 years
Hall of Fame mentors represent more than 105,000 volunteers tnAchieves has recruited since 2007. Ready to follow their lead? The Class of 2027 still needs mentors across Tennessee, and mentoring takes less than one hour per month. Register by Nov. 20.
Celebrating National Transfer Student Week
Mentors help students get to college, and COMPLETE Coaches help them finish. For many students, that path includes transfer. During National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 19-23, tnAchieves celebrated students who start at a community college and go on to earn a bachelor's degree, including members of our own team who walked that same path.
Transfer opens doors to opportunity: bachelor's degree holders typically earn $23,000 more a year than associate degree holders. tnAchieves Director of Transfer Abby Creekmore and our COMPLETE Coaches help students plan every step, from transfer timelines and application fee waivers to scholarships.
