At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast

tnAchieves
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast, where we tap into the wisdom, insights, and bold ideas of our partners to fuel the mission of tnAchieves—expanding college access and success for Tennessee students. Hosted by Krissy DeAlejandro, President & CEO of tnAchieves, this podcast spotlights the thought leaders, educators, and industry trailblazers who challenge us to learn, grow, and innovate as we work to transform lives through higher education. Since 2008, tnAchieves has leaned on collaboration to break barriers and scale impact for students often seen as underdogs, and our partners are at the heart of that journey. Each episode brings candid conversations with state and national influencers—K-12 and college leaders, business visionaries, and student success advocates—who shape our strategies and push us forward. We’ll explore how these dialogues inspire us to refine our programs, rethink possibilities, and build a stronger Tennessee workforce. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, and join us as we harness these voices to innovate and grow—because at tnAchieves, our partners don’t just support us, they transform us. Let’s dive in!

  1. Sep 7

    The World's Paper Company Rooted in Memphis

    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.

    The World's Paper Company Rooted in Memphis

  2. Aug 24

    Accelerating Economic Prosperity for Tennessee Students

    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

    Accelerating Economic Prosperity for Tennessee Students

  3. Aug 10

    A Statewide Mentoring Program: College Access and Workforce Mentoring

    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

    A Statewide Mentoring Program: College Access and Workforce Mentoring

  4. Jul 27

    Hilton's Playbook for Growing Local Talent

    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.

    Hilton's Playbook for Growing Local Talent

  5. Jul 13

    Is College Still Worth It? What is a "Good Job?" with Dr. Jeff Strohl of Georgetown's Center on Education & the Workforce

    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.

    Is College Still Worth It? What is a "Good Job?" with Dr. Jeff Strohl of Georgetown's Center on Education & the Workforce

  6. Jun 29

    Building Northeast Tennessee’s Workforce from the Ground Up with ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland

    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.

    Building Northeast Tennessee’s Workforce from the Ground Up with ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland

  7. Jun 15

    Building More Than Buildings — Turner Construction's Herbert Brown on Workforce, Community, and What's Rising in Nashville

    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.

    Building More Than Buildings — Turner Construction's Herbert Brown on Workforce, Community, and What's Rising in Nashville

  8. Jun 1

    Connecting Leaders, Strengthening Tennessee with Leadership Tennessee's Alfred Degrafinreid

    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/

    Connecting Leaders, Strengthening Tennessee with Leadership Tennessee's Alfred Degrafinreid
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About

Welcome to At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast, where we tap into the wisdom, insights, and bold ideas of our partners to fuel the mission of tnAchieves—expanding college access and success for Tennessee students. Hosted by Krissy DeAlejandro, President & CEO of tnAchieves, this podcast spotlights the thought leaders, educators, and industry trailblazers who challenge us to learn, grow, and innovate as we work to transform lives through higher education. Since 2008, tnAchieves has leaned on collaboration to break barriers and scale impact for students often seen as underdogs, and our partners are at the heart of that journey. Each episode brings candid conversations with state and national influencers—K-12 and college leaders, business visionaries, and student success advocates—who shape our strategies and push us forward. We’ll explore how these dialogues inspire us to refine our programs, rethink possibilities, and build a stronger Tennessee workforce. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen, and join us as we harness these voices to innovate and grow—because at tnAchieves, our partners don’t just support us, they transform us. Let’s dive in!

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