Recruitment is now underway for the tnAchieves’ Mentor program, as tnAchieves has expanded the statewide volunteer mentoring program to include a new opportunity focused on workforce readiness for students this year.

In 2026, tnAchieves Mentors can choose between two separate formats—selecting how they want to make a difference in the lives of students, their communities and the state.

New this year is the Workforce Mentorship opportunity. This program complements tnAchieves’ longstanding mentorship efforts, expanding support for students beyond college access and completion. The tnAchieves’ Workforce Mentorship Program pairs college sophomores with volunteer mentors who bring real-world expertise in their chosen career/industry. Mentors will be paired with students based on career interests and will provide guidance on career exploration, professional skills development and workplace readiness.

The goal of tnAchieves remains clear: to Build Tennessee’s Future Workforce by ensuring students are supported from high school to career. 84.7% of tnAchieves graduates live and work in Tennessee after completing their education. They go on to become healthcare professionals, educators, business owners and other essential contributors to the state’s economy.

“tnAchieves has always been focused on helping students reach their goals and taking their next step,” says tnAchieves Vice President of Workforce Tyler Ford. “The new Workforce Mentorship Program will bridge the gap between post-secondary education and the workforce. Doing so ensures students transition into a career after college graduation while also supporting Tennessee’s thriving economy.”

In addition to the Workforce Mentorship Program is the longstanding Access Mentorship program. Access Mentors will continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of high school seniors from their community by supporting them to their first year of college.

With more than 60,000 high school students and more than 30,000 college students being served annually by tnAchieves, both Workforce and Access Mentorship play an important role in building the workforce of tomorrow and ensuring that every student has access to personal support on their path to college and career.

tnAchieves Mentorship requires just one hour a month and is virtual, making it accessible for busy professionals and community members. tnAchieves provides all mentors with a training, handbook and weekly emails to ensure success.

The tnAchieves Mentor application is open through Nov. 14. Those interested in becoming a mentor can learn more and register at tnAchieves.org/mentors.

tnAchieves is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Any interview requests or questions can be directed to Rebecca Franklin at Rebecca@tnAchieves.org or (865) 748-7767.