Securing Futures for Middle Tennessee Students with Tara Scarlett

In this episode of At Scale, Tara Scarlett, President and CEO of the Scarlett Family Foundation and Chair of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, joins the conversation to discuss how Middle Tennessee can better prepare students for long-term success. From her early career in corporate marketing to leading a foundation that has awarded more than $23 million in scholarships, Tara shares how purpose, data, and collaboration shape her work.

The Scarlett Family Foundation focuses on expanding access to postsecondary education across Middle Tennessee, supporting students pursuing business, STEM, technical, and two-year pathways. But this conversation goes beyond scholarships. Tara emphasizes the importance of systems-level change, measurable statewide goals, and stronger alignment between K-12 education, higher education, and employers.

With rapid economic growth across the state, Tennessee cannot rely on importing talent to fill workforce gaps. The solution, Tara argues, is growing our own. That means connecting students to clear pathways, equipping them with both technical and soft skills, and ensuring trusted adults help guide them along the way.

The episode also explores innovation in education, including the role artificial intelligence can play in personalized learning and workforce preparation. Through it all, one theme remains constant: securing Tennessee’s future starts with securing opportunity for its students.