Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Graham Thomas, Chief Community and Government Relations Officer at tnAchieves, who highlights the nonprofit organization's efforts and mission "to enhance post-secondary opportunities and outcomes by providing holistic student supports rooted in community and accountability."

During the interview, Graham explains the organization's partnership with the TN Promise scholarship and discusses their mentorship program and model, which over the years has created impressive success metrics, including increased college graduation rates from 11% to 41% and the completion of over 5 million hours of community service. He shares how the program has now surpassed the milestone of 50,000 graduates and how tnAchieves is connecting students to meaningful careers, with 85% choosing to stay in Tennessee.

Graham then introduces their new Workforce Mentorship program, aiming to pair adult volunteers across the state with college students to provide guidance on job search, resume building, and interview skills, focusing on career interests. Jeremy and Graham discuss the impact of mentoring programs, focusing on the ROI for employers and the importance of mentorship in guiding students through academic and career challenges. Graham highlights a specific example of a student who received guidance from a mentor, which led to their academic success and career path. He emphasizes that small interventions, such as helping students navigate campus life, can significantly impact student retention and long-term success.

Graham explains how community members can get involved with tnAchieves by visiting tnachieves.org and selecting the "I want to become a mentor" tab, which leads to a simple form and online training webinar. He outlines the program's goals, including helping students find meaningful employment and making informed decisions about their credentials and careers. Graham emphasizes the support provided to mentors, including weekly updates and access to staff, and encourages listeners to learn more and get involved through the website and social media platforms.

Visit https://www.tnachieves.org to learn more and to get involved with tnAchieves.