News & Updates
A Statewide Mentoring Program
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.
Hilton’s Playbook for Growing Local Talent
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.
Is College Still Worth It? A National Researcher Weighs In
Is a college degree still worth the cost — and what actually counts as a "good job" in Tennessee's economy today?
Dr. Jeff Strohl, Director of Research at Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, joins the At Scale podcast to unpack two decades of national data on post-secondary earnings, underemployment, and career mobility. He and hosts Ben Sterling and Tyler Ford talk through what the research really says about the value of a credential, and how Tennessee can better connect college access to long-term career opportunity.
Building East Tennessee’s Workforce from the Ground Up
What does it take to build Northeast Tennessee’s workforce from the ground up?
On this episode of At Scale, Dr. Brian Noland, President of East Tennessee State University, joins tnAchieves to discuss how ETSU is expanding access, strengthening student success and creating clearer pathways from high school to college to career.
Building More Than Buildings — Turner Construction's Herbert Brown on Workforce, Community, and What's Rising in Nashville
Herbert Brown, Community and Citizen Director at Turner Construction, joined the tnAchieves podcast to talk about how one of Nashville's most prominent construction firms is investing in the people behind the projects. From the Titans Construction Training Camp — a paid, five-week workforce credentialing program now in its eleventh cohort — to K–12 art competitions and job shadow experiences for students, Turner is building community partnerships alongside world-class facilities. As the new Nissan Stadium nears completion and the Bridgestone Arena renovation gets underway, Herbert's message to students is clear: connect early, build your soft skills, and know that the opportunities around you are real.
Connecting Leaders, Strengthening Tennessee with Leadership Tennessee's Alfred Degrafinreid
tnAchieves welcomes Alfred Degrafinreid II, President and CEO of Leadership Tennessee, to discuss leadership, education, public service and the importance of connecting leaders across Tennessee. Alfred shares his journey from Memphis to statewide leadership and reflects on how education, perseverance and service can expand opportunity for students and communities.
Experiential Learning and the Power of “Seeing Beyond” with Scott Williams of Discovery Park of America
tnAchieves welcomes Scott Williams, President and CEO of Discovery Park of America, to discuss experiential learning, career exposure and the power of helping students “see beyond.” Located in Union City, Discovery Park connects education, tourism and community impact through hands-on exhibits and experiences that inspire students and families across Tennessee.
A County Mayor’s Playbook for Workforce Change with Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp
In this episode of the At Scale Podcast, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp shares why he has made postsecondary access and career pathways a central focus of his leadership, and how expanding options beyond a traditional four-year degree is critical to building Tennessee’s future workforce.
Innovative Ideas on Student Success with Dr. Tracy Hall and Dr. Michael Torrence
In this episode of At Scale, the podcast hosted by tnAchieves, Krissy DeAlejandro and Ben Sterling sit down with Dr. Tracy Hall, president of Southwest Tennessee Community College, and Dr. Michael Torrence, president of Motlow State Community College.
Together, they explore leadership, innovation and partnership in support of student success across Tennessee’s community colleges.
Taking the "Idea On A Whiteboard" Statewide with Governor Bill Haslam
Celebrate one year of At Scale with Governor Bill Haslam as he reflects on leadership, the creation of Tennessee Promise, and the power of a shared vision to drive statewide impact.
Tennessee’s Future Workforce Framework
On March 23, tnAchieves released Tennessee’s Future Workforce Framework, a data-driven strategy informed by nearly 6,000 students across 81 counties that outlines how Tennessee can better connect education to workforce outcomes. The framework highlights key challenges students face—including financial barriers, limited career exposure and gaps in workforce connections—while reinforcing the impact of coaching, mentorship and targeted supports. It also establishes five core commitments to strengthen pathways to credentials of value, high-impact careers and long-term economic mobility, serving as a call to action for education, business and policymakers to align around a shared strategy to build Tennessee’s future workforce.
Securing Futures for Middle Tennessee Students with Tara Scarlett
In this episode of At Scale, Tara Scarlett discusses expanding postsecondary access and securing stronger workforce pathways for Middle Tennessee students. The conversation explores scholarships, systems-level change, statewide education goals, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in learning. Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on leadership, collaboration, and building Tennessee’s future talent pipeline.
A Lesson in Leadership and Innovation with Chancellor Donde Plowman
In Episode 23 of At Scale, Chancellor Donde Plowman of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville shares how UT is improving student outcomes through leadership, culture, and innovation. The conversation explores what it takes to create alignment in a complex institution while keeping students at the center. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
An Idea On A Whiteboard Part 2
In An Idea on a Whiteboard Part 2, former Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale returns to reflect on the bold beginnings of Knox Achieves and the statewide impact that followed through Tennessee Promise. He shares why mentorship, community service, and clear workforce pathways to credentials of value remain essential for Tennessee students today. This episode is a powerful reminder that student success is not about statistics — it is about individuals, families, and opportunity across the Volunteer State.
Tennessee's Competitive Edge
Tennessee’s economy is thriving, but long-term success depends on building a strong, prepared workforce. In our latest At Scale episode, Josh Brown and Stephanie Coleman share how education, talent development, and economic opportunity are coming together across the state. Listen now to hear how partnerships and career pathways are helping students access high-wage, high-demand futures.
Preparing Students for the AI Future with Jeff Riley (Day of AI)
Former Massachusetts education commissioner Jeff Riley, now leading Day of AI, joins At Scale hosts Ben Sterling and Graham Thomas to discuss how schools, teachers, and students can responsibly integrate artificial intelligence. A must-listen for K–12 administrators, educators, and postsecondary leaders, this episode explores how AI can reduce administrative burdens, personalize learning, and prepare students for the future of work—all while keeping ethics and equity at the forefront.
Revolutionizing Manufacturing Careers with The Ohio State University's HAMMER
In this episode of tnAchieves At Scale, we sit down with Dr. Glenn Daehn and Dr. Samantha Trzinski from The Ohio State University to discuss HAMMER – Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing, Moving from Evolution to Revolution. They share how HAMMER is advancing cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and creating new pathways for careers in automated and hybrid manufacturing. Tune in to hear how innovation, education, and workforce development are coming together to shape the future of high-tech manufacturing.
From Exposure to Career: Healthcare in East Tennessee with UT Medical Center
Dr. Keith Gray and Craig Pickett from UT Medical Center join the tnAchieves At Scale Podcast to discuss workforce needs in East Tennessee, preparing for allied health careers, and how UT Medical and tnAchieves partner to provide students with job shadowing and career exploration opportunities inside the hospital.
From Policy to Practice: A Conversation with Senator Bo Watson
On this episode of the At Scale podcast, Tennessee Achieves President and CEO Krissy DeAlejandro and Senior Vice President Graham Thomas sit down with Senator Bo Watson, longtime representative of Hamilton County and Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Guided by his belief that his role is to “improve quality of life for all Tennesseans,” Senator Watson discusses his path to public service, his approach to the state budget, and his vision for Tennessee’s education and workforce future.
Exploring Tennessee's College Pathways with Dr. Flora Tydings
The TN Promise scholarship offers every high school senior in the state of Tennessee the chance to go to community college or technical school tuition and mandatory fee free. As a partnering organization to the TN Promise scholarship, tnAchieves could not do the work we do without the partnership and support of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). In this episode of the At Scale podcast, we sit down with TBR’s Chancellor, Dr. Flora Tydings. Tune in to hear how TBR is creating a bridge between students, higher education, the community and businesses across the state.