Advertise on podcast: At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast

Most people know Goodwill for its stores. Fewer know what those stores pay for. Cindy Varner, Chief Mission Officer at Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, joins Ben Sterling and Graham Thomas to explain how retail revenue funds education, training and employment services across 48 counties. She walks through Goodwill’s new Opportunity Center in Nashville, short-term training shaped by employer advisory councils, a training stipend of at least $150 a week and an individual career and financial plan for every person who comes through a Goodwill center. She also shares her path from 20 years in Arkansas state government to Goodwill, plans for an Excel Center adult high school in Nashville and why she believes Tennessee’s connected approach to education and workforce sets it apart. Listen now at tnachieves.org/news/goodwill.

Most students picture one job when they picture Tractor Supply. Melissa Kersey, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, is here to widen the frame. Melissa joins Ben Sterling and Graham Thomas to talk about what a career at Tennessee’s largest rural lifestyle retailer actually looks like: about 100 internships a year, co-op programs in engineering and IT that earn college credit, a dedicated college recruiting team that visits community colleges alongside four-year campuses and tuition assistance that now covers trade certifications for part-time team members. She also explains why store managers are given funds to invest in their own communities, why she started her own career as an hourly team member at 14 and what she looks for in students entering the workforce today. Listen now at tnachieves.org/news/tractor.

Sylvamo spun off from International Paper five years ago, but its Memphis roots run much deeper. On this episode of At Scale, Neki Catron, Global Community Engagement Manager at Sylvamo, sits down with hosts Krissy DeAlejandro and Tyler Ford to talk about how a global paper company builds real community engagement at home. Neki walks through her own path from Memphis native to what she calls her dream job, the culture of volunteerism inside Sylvamo and why she frames education investment as strategy rather than charity. She and the hosts also dig into what employers need from the next generation of workers, how AI and automation are reshaping the skills that matter and why exposure, mentorship and a willingness to be uncomfortable move students forward. Sylvamo is a funding partner behind MemAccess and MemCOMPLETE, tnAchieves initiatives that help Memphis students earn postsecondary credentials and step into careers. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Economic prosperity has always been the goal. For nearly two decades, tnAchieves has helped Tennessee students navigate the journey from high school to college, from college to graduation and, increasingly, from graduation to a meaningful career. What began as a local idea has become a statewide model built on a simple conviction: opportunity only matters when students can turn it into lasting economic prosperity. 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 earnings, a direct return on helping more Tennessee students complete postsecondary credentials — prosperity that extends to their families and communities. Read the report: tnachieves.org/prosperity-report RSVP for the Tour: tnachieves.org/tour

Mentor registration for the tnAchieves class of 2027 is open, and this episode of At Scale is dedicated entirely to the mentor program: why it exists, how it has changed, and what it looks like today. tnAchieves Chief Content Officer Ben Sterling and Chief Community and Government Affairs Officer Graham Thomas open the episode by revisiting 2008, when the mentor program launched with 165 volunteers in Knox County working with fewer than 500 students. From there, Vice President of Workforce Tyler Ford talks about the mentor program's growth into a statewide, community-based effort that has recruited more than 100,000 mentors over nearly two decades, and the shift to a virtual model during the pandemic that made workforce mentoring possible. Director of Mentors Baylor Atkins closes the episode with a look at the program as it stands in 2026: two tracks, Access and Workforce, an opt-in model that connects mentors with students who ask for support, and a goal of 5,000 mentors by November 20 to serve the class of 2027. In this episode: — Why tnAchieves built a mentor program alongside its scholarship model — How the program grew from 165 volunteers to a statewide network — The shift from automatic pairing to an opt-in model, and what the data shows — How the pandemic pushed mentoring virtual, and what that made possible — The new Workforce Mentoring track for students moving into their careers — What mentoring looks like today, and how to register for the class of 2027 Register to become a mentor: tnAchieves.org/mentors Learn more about tnAchieves: tnachieves.org/what-is-tnachieves

Hilton has stood alongside tnAchieves since 2011, making it one of the organization's longest-standing corporate partners. On this episode of At Scale, hosts Ben Sterling and Tyler Ford sit down with Hope Thomas, Senior Manager of HR Consulting at Hilton, to talk about what that partnership looks like today and why Hilton continues to invest in it, even as Tennessee's economy and workforce needs have changed over the past decade and a half. Thomas walks through the full arc of Hilton's student investment: job shadow days that expose students to careers across the company, a ten-week internship program open to every function, and Launch, an early-talent program that moves recent graduates into entry-level roles at Hilton. Along the way, students build durable skills, professional networks, and a clearer picture of what's possible, well before they ever apply for a job. The conversation also turns to what students should be thinking about as they weigh their next steps: culture, professional development, and long-term stability alongside pay. For Hilton, that means treating students not as future hires to develop someday, but as talent worth investing in now, a mindset that connects directly to tnAchieves' work building pathways from high school to college to career.

Everyone's asking if college is still worth it. Dr. Jeff Strohl, Director of Research at Georgetown's Center on Education and the Workforce, brings 20+ years of labor market data to answer that question — and to define what actually makes a job "good." He talks with At Scale hosts Ben Sterling and Tyler Ford about earnings variance, underemployment myths, credentialing, and what it takes to connect a post-secondary credential to a career, not just a job. A must-listen for anyone thinking about college access and success in Tennessee and beyond.

On this episode of At Scale, tnAchieves welcomes Dr. Brian Noland, President of East Tennessee State University, for a conversation on building Northeast Tennessee’s workforce from the ground up. Dr. Noland shares how ETSU is expanding access, supporting student success and working with regional partners to create stronger pathways from high school to postsecondary education to career. The conversation highlights high-touch advising, faculty relationships, workforce partnerships and the importance of redefining college as every high-quality pathway beyond high school. From Ballad Health and Eastman to Northeast State and TCAT Elizabethton, ETSU is helping students see a future in Northeast Tennessee while strengthening the talent pipeline the region needs.

Herbert Brown didn't set out to work in construction. A Memphis native with a political science degree from UT and a master's in public administration from TSU, he spent his early career at the Higher Education Commission and the Nashville Chamber of Commerce — learning how education, workforce, and economic development all connect. Today, as Community and Citizen Director at Turner Construction, he's putting all of it to work on some of the biggest projects in Tennessee history. In this episode of At Scale, Graham Thomas and Tyler Ford sit down with Herbert to talk about what it really looks like when a major construction firm invests in the communities it builds in. From the Titans Construction Training Camp — a paid, five-week credentialing program now in its eleventh cohort — to student art competitions, K–12 job shadows, and partnerships with Nashville public schools, Turner is doing workforce development differently. Herbert also gives listeners an inside look at the new Nissan Stadium, including a first-of-its-kind NFL community room dedicated to nonprofits and civic organizations year-round. Whether you're a student exploring careers, an educator building employer partnerships, or just curious about who's shaping Tennessee's future — this one's worth your time.

In this episode of At Scale, tnAchieves welcomes Alfred Degrafinreid II, President and CEO of Leadership Tennessee, for a conversation about leadership, education, public service and building stronger connections across the state. A proud Memphian, Alfred shares how his journey through Tennessee State University, law school, government, campaigns, higher education and civic leadership shaped the way he leads today. He reflects on the lessons he has learned from working at the local, state and federal levels and why perseverance, humility and service are essential to effective leadership. The episode also explores the mission of Leadership Tennessee, which brings leaders from across Tennessee together to better understand the state’s communities, challenges and opportunities. Alfred discusses the importance of exposure, regional understanding and creating spaces where leaders can learn from one another. At tnAchieves, we believe education, mentorship and meaningful experiences help students move from aspiration to opportunity. Alfred’s story reinforces the importance of helping students see their own potential, understand the value of education and take ownership of their future. Learn about tnAchieves: https://tnachieves.org Learn about Leadership Tennessee: https://www.leadershiptennessee.org/

What happens when a community invests in curiosity? In this episode of At Scale, tnAchieves is joined by Scott Williams, President and CEO of Discovery Park of America, to explore how one of Northwest Tennessee’s most unique destinations is helping students and families “see beyond.” Scott shares the story of Discovery Park’s founding, the vision of Robert Kirkland and the role hands-on learning plays in helping students discover new interests, career pathways and possibilities for their future. From agriculture and conservation to science, history, transportation and the arts, Discovery Park creates experiences that connect education to real life. This conversation also highlights the importance of local partnerships, career exposure and community assets in Building Tennessee’s Future Workforce. Listen now to learn how Discovery Park of America is inspiring students, strengthening its region and helping Tennesseans imagine what comes next.

In this episode of the At Scale Podcast, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp joins us to discuss why he has made education and workforce development a priority in his role—something not typically associated with county government. Wamp shares how his administration is working to expand postsecondary opportunities for students by investing in career and technical education, supporting multiple pathways after high school, and helping students connect their skills and interests to real-world opportunities. From launching a new technical school to reshaping how his community defines “college,” his approach closely aligns with tnAchieves’ mission to increase postsecondary access and success. Together, we explore the importance of meeting students where they are, elevating TCAT and community college pathways, and ensuring every student has a clear and attainable path after high school. At its core, this conversation reinforces a shared belief: building Tennessee’s future workforce starts with expanding opportunity and empowering students to take the next step after graduation.

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. The conversation includes: building a unified institutional culture supporting students at open-access colleges aligning programs with workforce and community needs breaking down silos to better serve students the importance of early momentum through programs like tnAchieves Summer Institute and Summer Bridge While Summer Programs are discussed later in the episode, both leaders reinforce the importance of helping students start strong. These programs give students the opportunity to build confidence, earn credits and begin college with a clear path forward. At Scale is a podcast from tnAchieves focused on the ideas and partnerships that improve student outcomes across the state. Listen now to learn how collaboration and innovation are driving student success.

This week’s episode is a special one. We are celebrating one year of the At Scale podcast, and we could not imagine a better guest to mark the occasion than the 49th Governor of Tennessee, Bill Haslam. Governor Haslam has been deeply connected to the tnAchieves story from the very beginning. From early skepticism around a small idea sketched on a whiteboard to helping scale it into what became Tennessee Promise, his leadership has shaped opportunities for hundreds of thousands of students across the state. In this conversation, we cover: What led him from business into public service How servant leadership shows up in high-stakes roles The origin story of Tennessee Promise and Drive to 55 Why defining a clear “North Star” matters for systems change The importance of connecting K-12, higher education, and workforce What keeps long-term mission-driven work sustainable This episode is a reflection on impact, leadership, and what it takes to build something that truly changes lives.

In this special edition of At Scale, tnAchieves releases Tennessee’s Future Workforce Framework, a new strategy grounded in student voice and nearly two decades of experience supporting postsecondary access, persistence and workforce readiness. Drawing from survey responses from nearly 6,000 students, the framework highlights key challenges facing Tennessee students today—from financial hardship and limited career exposure to gaps in workforce connections and emerging technology readiness. Krissy DeAlejandro and Tyler Ford join Ben Sterling to discuss how tnAchieves is responding to those challenges through coaching, workforce mentorship, job shadowing and AI-informed career preparation—and why long-term success depends on stronger alignment across K–12, postsecondary institutions and business and industry. The episode also explores the five commitments outlined in the framework and what it will take for Tennessee to move beyond access and completion metrics toward true economic mobility for students.