In this episode of the At Scale podcast, we sit down with the CEO of Obion County’s Joint Economic Development Corporation (JEDC), Lindsay Theobald, and UT Martin’s Chancellor, Dr. Yancy Freeman. These two longtime friends of tnAchieves are entrenched in rural counties in West Tennessee and making sure opportunity grows there for both students and the economy. They talk about their deep love for living and working in rural West Tennessee and ensuring this part of our state is thriving.

Tune in to hear how getting students into the college going pipeline leads to degrees and then gainful careers in rural West Tennessee. They share how this work and these partnerships are making generational changes in their communities. They also share what employers are telling them they need in future employees.

To learn more about the Rural Impact Celebration and the impact of tnAchieves in rural communities that are mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.tnachieves.org/rural. You’ll be able to watch the celebration hosted at TCAT Upper Cumberland!

To learn more about tnAchieves Job Shadowing, click here: https://www.tnachieves.org/job-shadowing. tnAchieves will be hosting a series of job shadow days for students the week this podcast becomes live (November 3). We’d love to have your business join our list of hosts in the future!

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In this episode of the At Scale podcast, we sit down with Greater Memphis Chamber President & CEO, Ted Townsend. As you’ll hear, Ted is a nearly lifelong Memphian and works around the clock to build and collaborate to make a ‘greater’ Memphis. He shares what makes the Greater Memphis Chamber different from all the other chambers of commerce across Tennessee (and the nation), including winning a natty (aka winning 2025 Chamber of the Year by ACCE)!

Tune in to hear how they are partnering with local school systems to make students are ready for the workforce and the jobs of tomorrow, and how organizations like tnAchieves can help ensure a thriving Memphis.

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Building Tennessee’s Future Workforce means we believe EVERYONE belongs in college, and there’s a place for each student to get a high-quality credential after high school before entering the workforce. In this episode of the At Scale podcast, we sit down with TCAT McMinnville President Melody Edmonds and TCAT Upper Cumberland President Cliff Wightman. They talk about their journeys to leading a TCAT and the privilege of training Tennessee’s workforce. They’re also sharing the advantages of enrolling at a TCAT and also clearing up some misconceptions about the future careers available to their students; it’s not just for welding!

Tune in to hear how our TCATs are ensuring students are skilled and ready as they enter the workforce, and the impact these students and institutions are having directly on their communities. They also share why TCATs are so helpful in attracting new businesses to open in our state. It’s all part of Building Tennessee’s Future Workforce, impacting students and their families and helping our state’s economy thrive.

To learn more about the Rural Impact Celebration and the impact of tnAchieves in rural communities in this episode, click here: https://www.tnachieves.org/rural.

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Today, that support still comes from current Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s office as well as the General Assembly. It takes Governor Lee’s vision for our state’s economic future and the creation of policy to aid in our critical work at tnAchieves. In this episode of the At Scale podcast, we sit down with Governor Lee’s Policy Director Michael Hendrix. He talks about the governor’s priorities while in office, which include a strong workforce, economic development and quality education. Those priorities are things tnAchieves strongly aligns with. Michael Hendrix explains why these were chosen to be focused on and how tnAchieves is uniquely suited to help push our state forward in these areas.

Tune in to hear a conversation about how Governor Lee’s office is working to ensure students are career-ready before they enter the workforce. Hendrix also shares insight into Governor Lee’s final budget and his lasting legacy as he embarks on his final months in office. You’ll also get a sneak peek behind the curtain to understand how policy is created in our state!

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tnAchieves would have never gotten off the ground in Knox County without our Board Chairman and UT System President Randy Boyd. We would not have expanded to other counties as a college access and success program. We never would never have grown into a statewide partner of the TN Promise scholarship. And we certainly wouldn’t be a main driver in Building Tennessee’s Future Workforce today.

In this episode of the At Scale Podcast, we take a trip down memory lane with Randy Boyd. It’s a reminder of how we began, the lessons we’ve learned along the way and where we’re headed. While we began as a chat on a back porch, we certainly haven’t stayed that way. He shares why support grew for this idea and what may have set it apart. Trust us, this hasn’t been an overnight success. It’s been a lot of hard work with a lot of support. But we believe it was necessary to every student realizes they belong in college and there’s a way to make that a reality. We also believe it’s crucial for our state’s economy to continue to thrive.

Tune in to hear a conversation about our origin story and how Randy continues to challenge us to think bigger and better for every student in the state of Tennessee.

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Those aren’t lessons we keep to ourselves.

While tnAchieves is focused first and foremost on, you guessed it, Tennessee, that doesn’t mean our knowledge is bound by our state border. We believe that ALL students deserve a supported pathway to a meaningful career. We’re committed to expanding access to high-quality post-secondary credentials of impact for every student. That’s why we’re proud share the knowledge we’ve learned along the way for other states and communities who are looking to do the same. We’re all in this together.

In this episode of the At Scale Podcast, we’re joined by Stacey Oliver and Geronimo Rodriguez from the Austin 2030 Network. Austin 2030 describes itself as a network of school, higher education, non-profit, business, civic and community leaders who are committed to improving education outcomes for children and youth in Austin, Texas. Their current focus: establish a pathway to an Austin Promise. Stacey and Geronimo talk about why they are building a better future for students in Austin, and why it will take a community-wide effort to see their goal come to fruition. As they work toward change, they invited tnAchieves to share our perspective and experience.

Tune in to hear the conversations about the lasting change they’re working toward in Austin, Texas, and the partners who are coming to the table to make this Promise a reality.

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In this episode of the At Scale Podcast, THEC’s Executive Director, Dr. Steven Gentile talks about how THEC works to reduce the barriers to higher education. That means mobilizing higher education partners, like tnAchieves, to help students file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It also means creating a master plan to see where we need to go in the next 5-10 years. All the work is done with the goal of clearing pathways so students have better access to higher education, which provides more economic mobility. tnAchieves and THEC share a commitment to Building Tennessee’s Future Workforce.

In July 2025, THEC, the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and The Lumina Foundation announced a partnership to redesign the college admissions process. As part of the Direct Admissions pilot, seniors in the Class of 2026 will receive a letter showing which colleges, universities and TCATs have already accepted them without submitting an application. In Tennessee, it will connect automatic college admissions for students with an estimated financial aid package. The goal is to help students see where they’ve already been accepted to college and how they can afford to enroll. Hear Dr. Gentile’s thoughts on how this will revolutionize college admissions process in our state. (If you missed it, go back and listen to our podcast episode with Lumina’s Melanie Heath on their role in this groundbreaking effort!)

Tune in to get a better understanding of this new direct admissions process as well as how THEC continues to align higher education with workforce needs in our state. If that doesn’t peak your interest, there may also be a reference or two to leaping unicorns and magic wands…

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In this episode of the At Scale Podcast, Lumina’s Strategy Director for Access Melanie Heath talks about the next big goal Lumina is setting for 2040 and the direction it’s taking to Empower America’s Workforce Through Education and Training. It aligns directly with the tnAchieves vision to taking a human approach to Building Tennessee’s Future Workforce. One key is ensuring students are graduating with credentials of impact/value before entering the workforce. Research shows 84.7% of tnAchieves graduates are living and working in Tennessee after they graduate. These credentials will lead to a more skilled and more prepared workforce, which in turn leads to a more thriving state.

Furthermore, on July 23, 2025, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) announced a partnership with Lumina to redesign of the college admissions process. As part of this pilot, seniors in the Class of 2026 will receive a letter showing which colleges, universities and TCATs have already accepted them without submitting an application. This innovative concept is called Direct Admissions. In Tennessee, it will connect automatic college admissions for students with an estimated financial aid package. The goal is to help students see where they’ve already been accepted to college and how they can afford to enroll.

Tune in to get a better understanding of this process, and how the state of Tennessee continues to lead the way in putting students first by eliminating barriers to post-secondary education.

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In this episode of At Scale, the tnAchieves Podcast, we’re joined by SoFi’s head of advice and planning Brian Walsh—aka Dr. Money. The SoFi Philosophy is to attack debt with a plan, always have a safety net, put your money to work and save for retirement (and other goals). With that philosophy in mind, Walsh explains the importance of students having access to a financial education while getting their post-secondary education and why it’s key to start healthy habits for your money now.

Research shows 84.7% of tnAchieves graduates are living and working in Tennessee after they graduate. Together we explore the importance of these graduates having financial literacy as they enter Tennessee’s workforce. Dr. Money also shares the one thing students can do RIGHT NOW to start planning financially for their future.

Tune in to discover how financial literacy for students will lead to a thriving economy in our state—and maybe learn a tip or two about planning and investing financially in your own future.

Learn more about the SoFi partnership here: https://www.tnachieves.org/news/sofi.

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Links:

• SoFi x tnAchieves Rising Stars Partnership — SoFi Partners with Kelsea Ballerini and tnAchieves to Invest $2 Million for Tennessee's Next Generation to Achieve Their Ambitions

• SUNY – State University of New York
• CUNY – City University of New York
• ASAP – Accelerated Study in Associate Programs
• ACE – Accelerate, Complete, Engage

ASAP|ACE are student success programs for postsecondary students that provide participation with personal, academic and financial supports. ASAP is focused on community college students while ACE is designed to promote on-time bachelor’s degree completion at four-year institutions.

In this episode, we discuss the crucial need for holistic supports on a college campus that are designed to meet the most vulnerable students’ needs in an effort to increase degree retention and, ultimately, completion. We also talk about the importance of piloting programs based directly on student needs and how to scale them statewide to move the needle for all students.

If you want better insight into what exactly the name ‘At Scale’ means, this conversation gets right to the heart of it.

Learn more about ASAP|ACE: https://www.suny.edu/asap-ace/history/

tnAchieves: https://www.tnachieves.org/

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Learn more about College Promise at https://www.collegepromise.org/.

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About SCORE
The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on improving academic outcomes for all Tennessee students. SCORE works to advance student achievement through smart policy, support for innovation, and by fostering collaboration among educators, business leaders, and policymakers. The organization is committed to ensuring students graduate ready for college, career, and life. Learn more about SCORE at https://tnscore.org/.

About tnAchieves
tnAchieves is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building Tennessee’s future workforce by ensuring more students have the opportunity and support to pursue post-secondary education and training. Serving 74 counties across the state, tnAchieves provides workforce-focused programming—from TN Promise scholarships and volunteer mentoring to college and career coaching and skills training. Every tnAchieves initiative is designed with a clear purpose: to prepare students to enter the workforce confident, capable, and ready to contribute to Tennessee’s economic growth.

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From innovative partnerships to student-centered strategies, Dr. Rysewyk and Dr. Wise share how their institutions are collaborating to break down barriers, empower students and build a stronger, more equitable future. Tune in for an engaging conversation packed with insights, real-world solutions, and a shared passion for educational opportunity.

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Join us as we sit down with state and national thought leaders, business and industry partners, K-12 and college representatives, and the visionaries on the front lines of education. From tackling post-secondary access to preparing graduates for meaningful careers, we’ll uncover what’s working, what’s next, and how tnAchieves is scaling impact across communities. Our first episode featuring Knox County Schools Superintended Dr. Jon Rysewyk and Pellissippi State Community College President Dr. Anthony Wise will be available next Monday, April 14 on all podcast platforms. *Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen—because when students succeed, Tennessee thrives. Let’s dig in!
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