Shows
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastEp. 2: Connecting Education to Employment with SCORE President & CEO David MansouriIn the second episode of At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast, SCORE President & CEO David Mansouri joins the conversation to discuss the evolving landscape of education and workforce development in Tennessee. The episode centers around SCORE’s strategic priorities, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration and the role of meaningful data analysis in driving outcomes. Mansouri highlights how building strong, intentional connections between education and employment is vital to ensuring Tennessee students are prepared for the demands of the modern economy. The conversation explores how partnerships between education leaders, nonprofit organizations, policymakers, and employers are critical to achieving statewide progress....2025-05-0542 min
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastEp. 1: We're All On The Same Team with Dr. Jon Rysewyk and Dr. Anthony WiseIn 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. The discussion ranges from Knox County Schools' new 865 Academies to how Pellissippi State Community College has innovated to meet the ever-changing needs of students. Alongside Knox County leaders, Dr. Rysewyk, Dr. Wise and tnAchieves helped form ADVANCE865 - a community aligned effort to increase the number of Knox County high school seniors pursuing high-quality post-secondary pathways. Learn more at...2025-04-2149 min
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastAt Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast Trailer**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...2025-04-0704 min
The Education Blueprint with Dr. Jon RysewykCollege 101: Postsecondary Enrollment with Krissy DeAlejandroIn this episode of The Education Blueprint, Knox County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk sits down with Krissy DeAlejandro, President and CEO of tnAchieves, to talk about what it really takes to get students to and through college. They’ll break down how tnAchieves removes barriers to postsecondary education and how Knox County Schools is shifting the focus from just earning a diploma to preparing students for real success after graduation. From advanced academics to the 865 Academies, college fairs, and campus visits, they’ll explore the key experiences that help students turn their college goals into reality.04:00 - Ho...2025-04-021h 04
At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast#FindYourWhyTN Panel Series: Breaking Family CyclesHear 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/QxcG8ELuep8Support At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast2021-02-181h 01
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastLeadership with Randy Boyd, Mike Ragsdale and Krissy DeAlejandroBecoming a great leader requires hard work, trying a lot of things and learning from failure. Hear from tnAchieves Board Members Randy Boyd and Mike Ragsdale and Executive Director Krissy DeAlejandro as they discuss what it takes to become a great leader!
This interview is taken from one of our virtual community service webinars. We liked it so much we turned it into a podcast!2020-04-2051 min
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastOn a Mission with Graham Thomas and Krissy DeAlejandroMore 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!Support At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast2020-03-2340 min
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastPromise Programs with Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams and Dr. Celeste CarruthersTennessee 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.Support At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast2020-03-0948 min
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastThe Power of a Resource with Janice Bettis and John CagleThe fifth episode of the tnAchieves podcast features two longtime mentors, Janice Bettis and John Cagle. Joining us in 2011, Janice and John share what brought them to tnAchieves, what keeps them engaged and how tnAchieves has impacted their communities.Support At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast2020-02-2441 min
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastA Great Idea with Randy BoydA conversation between Randy Boyd and Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale became an idea in 2008. Their idea was a program that would result in more low-income, first-generation students enrolling in college. With Randy's support, Knox Achieves launched with the Class of 2009, became tnAchieves in 2012 and transitioned to its current role as a partnering organization to TN Promise in 2015. Without Randy, tnAchieves would not exist, and his leadership as our chairmen has been transformative. Learn more about Randy's journey, his impact on tnAchieves and his goals for the future on Episode 4.Support At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast2020-02-0444 min
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastThriving (Surviving?) First Semester with Emma and TimariThe third installment of the tnAchieves Podcast features two current TN Promise students, Timari and Emma, as they discuss the ups and downs of their first semester of college. Timari and Emma share different perspectives and experiences, offering something for every student as they work to thrive as college students. We know the first semester can be the hardest, often feeling more like surviving than thriving. Take a page out of Timari or Emma's playbook and start thriving!
Audio Issue: At 14:49 a technical issue affected Timari's mic; however, her answer was too good not to share! We...2020-01-2137 min
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastCollege Presidents Aren't That Scary with Dr. Anthony WiseThe second episode of the tnAchieves Podcast features Dr. Anthony Wise, President of Pellissippi State Community College. For more than a decade, Pellissippi State has welcomed new programs and been a vital partner to our work. Dr. Wise’s leadership has been invaluable as we try new things and keep what works. Learn about how he started his journey at Pellissippi and his tips on being a successful student on a community college campus! We think you’ll find that college presidents aren’t all that scary.Support At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast2019-12-1744 min
At Scale: The tnAchieves PodcastBeing Brave with Ben SterlingOur very first episode welcomes Ben Sterling, a graduate of the first knoxAchieves class and a current member of the tnAchieves team. Navigating the transition as a first generation student, Ben discusses his journey from high school student to college graduate. We uncover the importance of asking questions, advocating for yourself and ultimately facing your fears while braving the college unknown. Hear so many important lessons in this first episode!Support At Scale: The tnAchieves Podcast2019-11-2026 min
DecodeDC71: Is it enough to make community college free?Ever since President Obama unveiled his proposal to make two years of community college free for every American, it seems like all we’ve heard about is the money. How much would it cost? (Answer: about $6 billion.) How much would it bring in, once those students graduate, get better paying jobs, and contribute more in taxes?Here’s what no one seems to be talking about: actually finishing.Just 35 percent of students who start a two-year community college program get their degree within six years. There are a lot of reasons for that, says Krissy DeAlejandro, who started a full-tuition comm...2015-02-0524 min