tnAchieves with Graham Thomas

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Graham Thomas, Chief Community and Government Affairs Officer at tnAchieves, as he shares how Tennessee became the first state to offer tuition-free college to all students through the groundbreaking Tennessee Promise program.

Graham takes us behind the scenes of this incredible journey—from a small Knox County initiative serving 491 students to the largest college access program in America, now supporting nearly 90,000 students across all 95 Tennessee counties. You'll discover why Tennessee Promise isn't just about free tuition, but about the mentorship and coaching that makes the real difference for first-generation college students.

Key Takeaways:

• How students in tnAchieves' Complete program are 4.5 times more likely to graduate college
• Why 85% of Tennessee Promise graduates choose to stay and build their careers in Tennessee
• The simple one-hour monthly commitment that volunteers make as mentors to transform students' lives
• How Tennessee's innovative funding model ensures the program's sustainability without new taxes

Whether you're a parent planning for your child's education, considering becoming a mentor, or curious about how one Nashville podcast organization is changing lives across Middle Tennessee, this episode reveals how Tennessee is leading the nation in making higher education accessible and affordable.

Graham also shares exciting future plans, including new workforce development partnerships and mentoring programs to help students transition from college to career.

Learn More & Get Involved: 

tnAchieves
Tennessee Promise Information
Become a Mentor

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