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Join the 2026 tnAchieves Mentor Program and make a lasting impact on the lives of Tennessee students. We’re expanding our mentor opportunities to include Workforce Mentors who will guide students through the critical transition from community college to their next career steps. Alongside our trusted Access Mentors—who support students as they move from high school to college—Workforce Mentors will provide career advice, professional skills development and real-world insights to help students succeed beyond the classroom. Whether you want to empower students to navigate college or prepare them for meaningful careers, your mentorship can build brighter futures and strengthen Tennessee’s workforce. Volunteer today and be a key part of student success at every stage.

Roles of a mentor

  • Connector

    Connect the dots and expand networks for students.

  • Resource

    Answer questions as students navigate next steps.

  • Encourager

    Be the person who says, “we can do this - TOGETHER!”

Choose Your Mentor Experience

Both designed to help students reach their career goals, mentors either help high school students navigate the journey to college -OR- prepare college sophomores for next steps after college graduation.

Mentors choose one of two volunteer experiences!

Become a Mentor.

Complete your 2026 Mentor Registration by November 14, 2025.

  • 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.

    • Complete a required video training by December 12.

    • Commit 1 hour per month from approximately January through September. 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 and select whether you wish to serve as a Workforce or Access mentor.

    2) Complete the required virtual mentor training by December 12.

    3) Receive your list of tnAchieves students and introduce yourself!

    4) Take just one hour per month to connect with 3-5 assigned students and remain connected to tnAchieves via weekly emails and webinar trainings!

  • The mentor handbook is a comprehensive resource to the tnAchieves program and mentor expectations! While the 2026 handbook is still in production, it will be shared out via email as soon as it is completed in the Fall.

  • 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

CONTACT US

CONTACT US

Have questions or need help? Baylor Atkins serves as the Director of Mentors and would love to help!