**Welcome to At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast, where we explore the bold, complex, and transformative work of tnAchieves—a Tennessee-based organization dedicated to breaking barriers and building opportunities for students pursuing college credentials. **Hosted by Krissy DeAlejandro, President & CEO of tnAchieves, this podcast dives into the challenges, solutions, and innovations driving student success and shaping Tennessee’s future workforce. Since 2008, tnAchieves has been reimagining what’s possible for students often seen as underdogs—arming them with the tools, support, and pathways to achieve economic mobility through higher education.

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On this episode of the At Scale podcast, tnAchieves President and CEO Krissy DeAlejandro and Senior Vice President Graham Thomas sit down with Senator Bo Watson, longtime representative of Hamilton County and Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Guided by his belief that his role is to “improve quality of life for all Tennesseans,” Senator Watson discusses his path to public service, his approach to the state budget, and his vision for Tennessee’s education and workforce future.

*A Heart for Service
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Senator Watson did not enter politics through a single moment or major issue. Instead, he credits his parents for instilling the belief that if you have the ability to serve your community, you should. When a House seat unexpectedly opened in 2004, he stepped forward, ran a grassroots campaign, and won. His career began not with political ambition but with a desire to contribute to the community that raised him.

Balancing Local Needs with Statewide Priorities

Representing Hamilton County while overseeing the state’s finances requires both a local and statewide perspective. Senator Watson notes that every county in Tennessee looks different, and effective policy must reflect that diversity. He consistently asks what best serves Tennesseans across all 95 counties. Although the state cannot fund every good idea, he believes the budget must ensure every community’s voice is heard and that the final product reflects Tennessee’s shared priorities.

Data Matters, but So Do People

With a background in biology and chemistry, Senator Watson approaches decisions through data. However, he acknowledges that behind every program are real people and communities. Ending a program that is no longer effective is rarely simple because lives and local economies are intertwined with long-standing initiatives. In Tennessee’s zero-sum budget, every dollar spent must be accounted for, making careful and thoughtful decisions essential.

Looking Ahead: Caution and Stability

As Governor Lee prepares his final budget, Senator Watson expects a careful, responsible approach. He hopes to leave resources available for the next administration, just as previous leaders did. With economic uncertainty and the end of major federal grants on the horizon, Tennessee must evaluate which programs should continue with state support and which may need to phase out, especially within education.

Tennessee’s Role in Workforce Development

Senator Watson views the state as a convener rather than the sole problem-solver. Workforce challenges cannot be solved by government alone; they require strong relationships between the state, communities, colleges, and employers. With fewer workers entering the labor market and a growing need for specialized talent, particularly in healthcare, Tennessee must leverage technology and ensure students are prepared to use it effectively.

More Pathways, More Opportunity

One of Tennessee’s major accomplishments, according to Senator Watson, is the expansion of educational pathways. Today’s students can choose from TCATs, community colleges, four-year institutions, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment options. These opportunities help students explore their interests and pursue a credential of value, directly aligning with Tennessee Achieves’ mission.

If you want to understand how state policy, education, and workforce needs intersect in Tennessee, this conversation offers a thoughtful, behind-the-scenes perspective from someone who has spent nearly twenty years shaping that work.

Listen to the full episode of At Scale featuring Senator Bo Watson wherever you get your podcasts.

The TN Promise scholarship offers every high school senior in the state of Tennessee the chance to go to community college or technical school tuition and mandatory fee free. As a partnering organization to the TN Promise scholarship, tnAchieves could not do the work we do without the partnership and support of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). TBR is a unified system that oversees every community college and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in the state.

In this episode of the At Scale podcast, we sit down with TBR’s Chancellor, Dr. Flora Tydings. She explains how TN Promise changed the higher education system in Tennessee as well as the conversations students and their families are having about going to college. She also casts TBR’s vision to create a workforce with the knowledge and skills to be competitive in the world economy. It directly aligns with our efforts to Build Tennessee’s Future Workforce. Stop us if you’ve heard us say it before, but we can’t do this work alone!

Tune in to hear how TBR is creating a bridge between students, higher education, the community and businesses across the state. She also explains what TBR is focusing on for the future.