Be a mentor.
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!
Mentors support students by serving three roles:
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Task-Manager
Ensure students meet critical deadlines by sending reminders.
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Resource
Answer questions as students navigate the college process.
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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.
5,000 Mentors
BY Nov. 15
A statewide network of mentors ensures Tennessee students thrive.
Join us in 2025 and support students in your community!
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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.
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1) Register as a tnAchieves Mentor by November 15, 2024.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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? Tyler Ford serves as the Vice President of External Partnerships and would love to help!