Volunteer Mentors

Students thrive when their community is behind them. tnAchieves mentors provide valuable encouragement, advice and accountability, helping Tennessee students navigate the challenges of the college-going process and ensuring they achieve their academic and career goals!

Shortcuts

  • Anyone over the age of 21 is eligible to serve as a tnAchieves mentor!

    In order to be paired with students, mentors must:

    • Complete a standard background check.

    • Attend an in-person meeting in December, January or February at a local high school.

    • Commit 1 hour per month from approximately December of 2024 through September of 2025. During this time, mentors will engage with students bi-weekly and meet over the phone/in-person when possible.

  • 1) Register as a tnAchieves Mentor.

    2) Select your preferred high school.

    3) Complete a 12-minute mentor orientation.

    4) Attend an in-person meeting at a local high school.

    5) Work with 2-3 assigned students and remain connected to tnAchieves.

  • All tnAchieves mentors should complete a brief orientation session to familiarize themselves with program expectations prior to attending the in-person meeting. The orientation lasts just 12 minutes and can be accessed here.

  • The mentor handbook is a comprehensive resource to the tnAchieves program and mentor expectations! While all mentors can expect to receive a physical copy of their 2025 handbook at the in-person meeting, a digital copy is also available.

  • The tnAchieves Mentor Portal is a one-stop resource where mentors can review their students, their contact information and key updates related to their college-going status.

    This resource provides a real time look at where students stand and can be leveraged to provide timely reminders and updates to your assigned students.

    Current mentors can click here to access the mentor portal!

Resources

The tnAchieves Mentor Hall of Fame recognizes mentors who have shown unwavering dedication to supporting students and engaging with tnAchieves programs in their community. While all mentors contribute significantly, the inductees below have been longtime champions of this work, consistently ensuring tnAchieves students are supported in their pursuit of a post-secondary credential. We are deeply grateful for their enduring partnership.

A new class is inducted into the Mentor Hall of Fame each fall.

Mentor

Hall of Fame

    • Debbie Adams - Sequatchie County

    • Rebecca Ashford - Hamilton/Knox County

    • Janice Bettis - Sevier County

    • Veenita Bisaria - Knox County

    • Randy Boyd - Knox County

    • Ricky Boyd - Obion County

    • Karen Bowyer - Dyer County

    • John Cagle - Jefferson County

    • Dan Caldwell - Rutherford County

    • Owen Driskill - Anderson/Knox County

    • Beth Duffield - Rutherford County

    • Lindsay Frilling - Obion County

    • Janice Goldthreate - Shelby County

    • Matthew Hunter - Hamblen/Hawkins County

    • Shanna Jackson - Davidson County

    • Tish Jones - Hamblen County

    • Youlanda Jones - Lauderdale County

    • Michael Laman - Knox County

    • Kelly Lancaster - Rutherford County

    • Mark Luttrell - Shelby County

    • Allen Lutz - Roane County

    • Greg Martz - Humphreys County

    • Christy Newman - Blount County

    • Don Polley - Gibson/Madison County

    • Mike Ragsdale - Knox County

    • Rich Ray - Knox County

    • Mischelle Simcox - Johnson County

    • Michael Torrence - Coffee/Putnam County

    • Kasey Vatter - Knox/Sumner County

    • Cliff Wightman - Cumberland County

    • Tim Williams - Knox County

    • Anthony Wise - Knox County

    • Callie Archer - Anderson County

    • Julie Bennett - Marion County

    • Jim Barrott - Hamilton County

    • Bill Brittain - Hamblen County

    • Jake Bynum - Weakley County

    • Wayne Ellington - Williamson County

    • Jerry Faulkner - Sumner County/Blount County

    • Nick Grabar - Sullivan County

    • Troy Grant - Wilson County

    • David Gregory - Sumner County

    • Samantha Gutter - Davidson County

    • Tracy Hall - Shelby County

    • Cissy Holt - Giles County

    • Janet Jentilet - Knox County

    • Laura Monks - Lincoln County

    • Fran Odom - Shelby County

    • DeJuan Parker - Shelby County

    • Misty Rosser-White - Shelby County

    • Robin Sealy - Tipton County

    • Zach Sheets - Campbell County

    • Jayme Simmons - Davidson County

    • Marvin Stewart - Jefferson County

    • Paul Stumb - Wilson County

    • Glenn Swift - Knox County/Campbell County

    • Danni Varlan - Knox County

    • Linda Barclay – Obion County

    • John Becker – Knox County

    • Marlin Curnutt – Grainger County

    • Beth Duggar – Marion County

    • Brittany Ford – Knox County

    • Kris Frye – Loudon County

    • Steven Gentile – Davidson County

    • Michael Harrison – Sumner County

    • Carissa Hoitenga – Shelby County

    • Lesli Lee – Shelby County

    • James Mantooth – Weakley County

    • Dana Peterka – Roane County

    • Yvonne Schlangen – Dickson County

    • Avery Swinson – Hamblen County

    • Leigh Anne Touzeau – Knox County

    • Dennis Tumlin – Rhea County

    • Patrick Wade – Rutherford County

    • Christopher Whaley – Roane County

Mentors support students by serving three roles:

  • Task-Manager

    Ensure students meet critical deadlines by sending reminders.

  • Resource

    Answer questions as students navigate the college process.

  • Encourager

    Be the person who says, “We can do this together!”

Find Your Why

Volunteering as a tnAchieves mentor is an impactful way to give back. By committing just one hour per month, mentors make a lasting impact on students in their community.

CONTACT US

CONTACT US

Have questions or need help? Tyler Ford serves as the Vice President of External Partnerships and would love to help!