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:

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.

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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

This episode is a reflection on impact, leadership, and what it takes to build something that truly changes lives.

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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.

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.

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Links:

• Tennessee's Future Workforce Framework — For nearly two decades, tnAchieves has helped Tennessee students navigate the transition from high school into postsecondary education and, ultimately, into the workforce. We do this at scale, with systems built for real life: work schedules, family obligations, transportation barriers, financial uncertainty and the challenge of finding a clear path forward in an evolving economy.

In this episode of At Scale, Tara Scarlett discusses leadership, scholarship impact, statewide education strategy, and preparing Tennessee students for the future workforce.

In this episode:

Listen now to learn how collaboration, innovation, and bold leadership can secure brighter futures for Middle Tennessee students.

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In Episode 23 of At Scale, Chancellor Donde Plowman of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville joins tnAchieves for a conversation about leading a flagship, land-grant university with clarity and purpose. At the center of the discussion is a simple idea: student success must remain the north star, even within a large and complex institution.

Chancellor Plowman shares how alignment across leadership, faculty, and staff creates momentum. When priorities are clear and consistently communicated, teams can focus less on noise and more on improving the student experience, strengthening retention, and increasing graduation outcomes.

The episode also explores innovation as a practical tool rather than a buzzword. From leveraging technology to improving systems and communication, UT’s approach focuses on removing barriers and supporting students more effectively at scale.

For Tennessee, this work matters. Large public institutions shape the state’s workforce and future economy. Episode 23 offers a candid look at what it takes to lead boldly, build culture, and improve outcomes for thousands of students each year.

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Every statewide movement has a beginning — and for tnAchieves, that beginning was a simple but bold idea sketched out on a whiteboard: every Tennessee student deserves a chance to continue their education and build a future through a credential of value.

In this episode, An Idea on a Whiteboard Part 2, former Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale — founding board member and longtime champion of public service — reflects on the roots of Knox Achieves, the partnerships that helped spark Tennessee Promise, and the future of completion-focused workforce pathways across our state.

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In this episode of At Scale from tnAchieves, Josh Brown, CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, and Stephanie Coleman, CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, join the conversation to break down what is driving Tennessee’s economic growth and what it will take to sustain it.

From regional job creation and rural prosperity to education-to-career pathways and high-wage, high-demand industries, this episode highlights how workforce development is at the center of Tennessee’s long-term success and why partnerships across business, education, and community organizations matter now more than ever.

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In this listener-recommended episode of At Scale, hosts Ben Sterling and Graham Thomas sit down with Jeff Riley, former Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education and current Executive Director of Day of AI, a nonprofit launched out of MIT that helps schools and communities understand and responsibly use artificial intelligence.

After more than three decades in public education, Jeff now leads a team combining MIT technologists and veteran educators to help teachers, administrators, and students navigate the promise and pitfalls of AI. Through teacher training, student curriculum, and policy guidance, Day of AI is preparing the next generation to use this technology with curiosity, caution, and purpose.

Jeff shares how AI can reduce administrative burdens, personalize instruction, and reignite engagement in the classroom, offering practical ways that K–12 leaders and teachers can begin integrating AI thoughtfully into their schools. The discussion also examines the need to balance innovation with ethics—tackling issues like misinformation, bias, and student safety—while emphasizing the importance of foundational skills and critical thinking.

For K–12 administrators, teachers, and education leaders, this episode offers real-world insight into how AI can make teaching more human, not less. For Tennessee Promise, community college, and technical college audiences, it connects AI literacy to career readiness, postsecondary success, and workforce development.

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In this episode of tnAchieves At Scale, we dive into the cutting-edge world of automated manufacturing with the team behind HAMMER – Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing, Moving from Evolution to Revolution. Hosts from tnAchieves are joined by Dr. Glenn Daehn and Dr. Samantha Trzinski from The Ohio State University to discuss how this ambitious national initiative is reshaping the future of advanced manufacturing and workforce development.

Together, they explore how HAMMER’s groundbreaking research in hybrid and autonomous manufacturing systems is revolutionizing how products are made, while also expanding opportunities for the next generation of skilled workers. Dr. Daehn and Dr. Trzinski share insights into how industry, education, and innovation are converging to build accessible, high-tech career pathways—especially in regions ready to embrace manufacturing’s digital transformation.

Tune in to learn how HAMMER’s vision is turning the promise of smart, automated production into a reality and why this work matters for Tennessee students, employers, and communities preparing for the manufacturing careers of tomorrow.

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In this episode of the tnAchieves At Scale Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Keith Gray and Craig Pickett from UT Medical Center for an in-depth conversation on workforce demands across East Tennessee and the critical role healthcare partners play in preparing the next generation of talent.

Together, we explore how tnAchieves and UT Medical Center collaborate to create meaningful job shadowing and career exploration opportunities that allow students to experience healthcare careers firsthand. Dr. Gray and Craig share insight into current and emerging workforce needs, particularly within allied health fields, and discuss what students should know as they consider pathways into healthcare.

The conversation also highlights UT Medical Center’s commitment to exposing students throughout the region to real-world opportunities inside the hospital, helping them better understand the range of careers available and the preparation required to be successful. From early exposure to intentional partnerships, this episode underscores how collaboration between education and healthcare can strengthen the workforce pipeline and expand access to high-demand careers for students across East Tennessee.

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