At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast

We're All On The Same Team with Dr. Jon Rysewyk and Dr. Anthony Wise

April 21st, 2025  |  49 mins 57 secs

college access, college affordability, college promise, community building, higher ed, post-secondary attainment, technical education, tennessee, tuition-free college, workforce, workforce development

In the first episode of At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast, hosts Krissy DeAlejandro and Ben Sterling welcome two visionary leaders in education: Dr. Jon Rysewyk, Superintendent of Knox County Schools, and Dr. Anthony Wise, President of Pellissippi State Community College.

At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast Trailer

April 7th, 2025  |  4 mins 11 secs

college access, college affordability, college promise, community building, higher ed, post-secondary attainment, technical education, tennessee, tuition-free college, workforce, workforce development

Mentor Moment: Summer Prep for Success

July 8th, 2024  |  17 mins 56 secs

college, higher education, mentoring, tennessee, tn promise

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the tnAchieves podcast! Join our hosts, Senior Director of Mentors Tyler Ford and Outreach Manager Baylor Williamson, as they delve into the critical role volunteer mentors play during the summer months in preparing students for their upcoming college journey in the fall.

Mentor Moment: Community Service

June 12th, 2024  |  20 mins 55 secs

tnAchieves Sr. Director of Mentors Tyler Ford is joined by tnAchieves COMPLETE Coach Emily Jones to discuss the upcoming July 1 community service deadline. Learn how you can support your students as they complete this important TN Promise requirement!

Mentor Moment: Preparing for Summer

May 8th, 2024  |  22 mins 51 secs

college, higher education, mentoring, tennessee, tn promise

In this episode, Tyler Ford sits down with Ben Sterling to discuss how mentors should be preparing to work with students this summer! Summer is a critical time for students as they graduate from high school, register for classes and make final preparations to begin in the fall.

MENTOR MOMENT: Summer Bridge

April 23rd, 2024  |  22 mins 23 secs

act, college, higher education, mentoring, summer bridge, tennessee, tn promise

Mentor Moment host Tyler Ford is joined by tnAchieves Sr. Director of Communications Jessica Macey to discuss the upcoming tnAchieves Summer Bridge Program. Hosted at all 13 TN community colleges, Summer Bridge is a free, 14-day program designed to help students begin college more prepared.

MENTOR MOMENT: Working With Your Students

April 10th, 2024  |  27 mins 21 secs

college, financial aid, higher education, mentoring, tennessee

The Mentor Moment is a podcast designed to enhance the tnAchieves mentor experience. Learn more about scholarship requirements, best practices and how to best serve students.

MENTOR MOMENT: 2024-2025 FAFSA

March 27th, 2024  |  30 mins 31 secs

college, fafsa, financial aid, higher education, mentoring, tennessee

n this episode, the Mentor Moment delves into the 2024-2025 FAFSA and how tnAchieves mentors support students. Host Tyler Ford and Knox Access Director Allison Johnson dissect the FAFSA, sharing tips and updates. Listeners learn about the importance of timely FAFSA completion, gain insight into tnAchieves' support, and discover resources for accessing financial aid.

Mentor Moment Trailer

March 25th, 2024  |  50 secs

college, higher education, mentoring, tennessee, tn promise

The Mentor Moment is a podcast influenced by and designed for tnAchieves mentors. Join Tyler Ford from tnAchieves every other week for an episode highlighting tips and best practices to enhance your mentoring experience!

#FindYourWhyTN Panel Series: Breaking Family Cycles

February 18th, 2021  |  1 hr 1 min

breaking cycles, college, college student, education, first-generation, learn, non-profit, self-help, student, thrive

Hear from three individuals that represent the first person in their family to attend college. We hope this discussion inspires you to Find Your Why! Learn more about #FindYourWhyTN​ at tnAchieves.org/findyourwhy.

Get to know each panelist:
Krissy DeAlejandro: https://youtu.be/i1kqxAIROnU​
Sumner Deason: https://youtu.be/DdRWFuloxzc​
Mike Ragsdale: https://youtu.be/QxcG8ELuep8

On a Mission with Graham Thomas and Krissy DeAlejandro

March 23rd, 2020  |  40 mins 47 secs

college, college student, education, learn, non-profit, self-help, student, thrive

More than a decade has passed since knoxAchieves was launched from a whiteboard in the Knox County Mayor's office, but Executive Director Krissy DeAlejandro's commitment to student success has not wavered. Since 2008, tnAchieves has grown, innovated and paved pathways for all students, including those that are the first in their families to pursue college. The seventh installment of our podcast dives into the beginnings of tnAchieves, why it was founded and how we have stayed true to our mission. Graham Thomas steals Krissy's mic for an engaging interview!

Promise Programs with Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams and Dr. Celeste Carruthers

March 9th, 2020  |  48 mins 9 secs

college, college student, education, learn, non-profit, self-help, student, thrive

Tennessee provides each high school senior the opportunity to earn a post-secondary credential tuition and mandatory-fee free through a first-of-its-kind Promise scholarship. Communities, cities, colleges and even other states have looked to Tennessee for guidance in launching their own Promise programs. Hear from Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams from the Upjohn Institute and Dr. Celeste Carruthers from the University of Tennessee's Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, as they discuss the growth and impact of Promise programs nationally and the success of Tennessee Promise.