At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast

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

June 1st, 2026  |  41 mins 30 secs

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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

May 18th, 2026  |  38 mins 8 secs

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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

May 4th, 2026  |  40 mins 58 secs

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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

April 20th, 2026  |  53 mins 15 secs

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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

April 6th, 2026  |  38 mins 25 secs

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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

March 23rd, 2026  |  30 mins 26 secs

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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.

Securing Futures for Middle Tennessee Students with Tara Scarlett

March 9th, 2026  |  40 mins 15 secs

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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

February 23rd, 2026  |  41 mins

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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 with Mike Ragsdale

February 9th, 2026  |  34 mins 13 secs

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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 with the Tennessee and Nashville Chambers

January 26th, 2026  |  41 mins 51 secs

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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.