TNWFD Academy Advisory Board

The Tennessee Workforce Development (TNWFD) Academy Advisory board guides the direction and impact of the academy. As a program developed by the UT Center for Industrial Services to better connect workforce and economic development, the academy relies on experienced leaders to ensure its approach remains aligned with Tennessee’s evolving workforce needs. 

Composed of professionals representing education, industry, workforce systems and community leadership, the board provides strategic insight that helps strengthen the Academy’s curriculum, reinforce best practices and support statewide collaboration among workforce partners. Their expertise helps the academy bridge gaps, advance capacity building and improve the alignment of workforce and economic development efforts across the state. 

The board members contribute specialized knowledge that keeps the program responsive and relevant. Their ongoing guidance ensures the academy remains a trusted, impactful resource for Tennessee communities and the professionals who serve them. 

 

TNWFD Academy

2026 Advisory Board Members

Charita Allen
City of Chattanooga


Vicki Bunch
Tennessee Board of Regents


Bryan Hall, TCEcD
Tellico Reservoir Development Agency


J. Paul Jackson
Thor Boats, LLC


Lauren Longmire
Knoxville Chamber


Jennie McCabe
TN Economic & Community Development


Joy Rich, EdD
Nissan Group of North America

Marla Rye
Workforce Essentials, Inc.


Alex Sadler
Tennessee Valley Authority


Bo Shadden, EdD
Kingsport City Schools/Dobyns-Bennett HS


Carri Smith
Valmont Industries


Briana Thomas
TN Dept. of Labor & Workforce Dev.


Patrick Wade
TCAT Murfreesboro


Patricia Weaver, EdD
Pellissippi State Community College

Program News

Big News from TCED: Nuclear 101 Is Here! (Published Jan. 21, 2026)

Fall 2025 eNews (Published Nov. 18, 2025)

Register for the TN Economic Resiliency Course! (Published Aug. 5, 2025)

Summer 2025 eNews (Published June 6, 2025)

Mastering Data & AI for Strategic Economic Development Impact (Published May 28, 2025)

Spring 2025 eNews (Published March 20, 2025)

Tennessee Workforce Development Academy (Published Dec. 03, 2024)

Fall 2024 eNews (Published on Oct. 22, 2024)

Summer 2024 eNews (Published on July 16, 2024)

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The University of Tennessee University Center

Quick Facts

UT University Center

University: University of Tennessee     

Center Director: Kim K. Denton, CEcD  

Center Location: Nashville, TN  

Center Since: 2006  

Center Activities 

  • Strengthen rural workforce systems and build economic resiliency.   
  • Improve participation and equity in the labor force. 
  • Help rural businesses attract and retain talent to support job growth. 


Clients

  • Economic development organizations   
  • Local and regional communities   
  • Workforce Development Professionals   
  • Existing businesses 


Assessment Techniques

  • Feedback from partners 
  • Client interviews   
  • Feedback at regional community forums 
  • Client satisfaction surveys   
  • Case studies  

Building Bridges

The formerly funded EDA University of Tennessee University Center (UTUC) works to address gaps in Tennessee's economic and workforce development ecosystems and promotes innovation, investment and growth across the state.

By combining the power of university resources and local partners, the UTUC goal is to strengthen Tennessee’s capacity to create and sustain high skilled jobs, particularly in rural areas.

This work addresses critical needs to improve labor force participation and increase workforce alignment and capacity, both of which hinder the ability of counties to advance economic development.


Activities 

The UT University Center aligns resources to strengthen rural workforce systems and build economic resiliency, improve participation and equity in the labor force, and help rural businesses attract and retain talent to support job growth and investment.

The University Center:

•Combines university and partner resources to identify and address labor force participation issues, particularly among rural populations.

•Helps distressed and at-risk counties leverage, align and enhance workforce development assets.

•Creates professional development programs for workforce development practitioners.

•Supports business expansion and quality job creation in rural communities by helping companies become employers of choice.


Technical Assistance Resources 

Delivering Exceptional Customer Service

TN Certified Economic Developer Program

Course Details

The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, selected meals and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please make payment for the course no later than 10 business days before the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.

Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 10 business days will be eligible for credit only, minus a $100 cancellation fee.

The hotel group rate provided on this page is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster. Reserve your room and select the dates you need to stay for the group rate. Please book early as the reserved block of rooms could fill up.

A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships do not include hotel, travel or meals.

If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not awarded, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.

Download the Scholarship Application, or get more information about scholarships on our Scholarships webpage.

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email. 

The attire for the course is business casual.

Meet Your

TCED Course Instructor

 

 

 

 

Telling Your Community’s Story

TN Certified Economic Developer Program

Course Details

The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, selected meals and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please make payment for the course no later than 10 business days before the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.

Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 10 business days will be eligible for credit only, minus a $100 cancellation fee.

The hotel group rate provided on this page is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster. Reserve your room and select the dates you need to stay for the group rate. Please book early as the reserved block of rooms could fill up.

A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships do not include hotel, travel or meals.

If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not awarded, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.

Download the Scholarship Application, or get more information about scholarships on our Scholarships webpage.

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email. 

The attire for the course is business casual.

Meet Your

TCED Course Instructor

 

 

 

 

Proposing to Win

TN Certified Economic Developer Program

Course Details

The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, selected meals and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please make payment for the course no later than 10 business days before the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.

Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 10 business days will be eligible for credit only, minus a $100 cancellation fee.

The hotel group rate provided on this page is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster. Reserve your room and select the dates you need to stay for the group rate. Please book early as the reserved block of rooms could fill up.

A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships do not include hotel, travel or meals.

If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not awarded, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.

Download the Scholarship Application, or get more information about scholarships on our Scholarships webpage.

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email. 

The attire for the course is business casual.

Meet Your

TCED Course Instructor

 

 

 

 

The Art of Effective Economic Development Facilitation

TN Certified Economic Developer Program

Course Details

The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, selected meals and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please make payment for the course no later than 10 business days before the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.

Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 10 business days will be eligible for credit only, minus a $100 cancellation fee.

The hotel group rate provided on this page is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster. Reserve your room and select the dates you need to stay for the group rate. Please book early as the reserved block of rooms could fill up.

A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships do not include hotel, travel or meals.

If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not awarded, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.

Download the Scholarship Application, or get more information about scholarships on our Scholarships webpage.

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email. 

The attire for the course is business casual.

Meet Your

TCED Course Instructor

 

 

 

 

AI & Cybersecurity: What you need to know

TN Certified Economic Developer Program

Course Details

The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, selected meals and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please make payment for the course no later than 10 business days before the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.

Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 10 business days will be eligible for credit only, minus a $100 cancellation fee.

The hotel group rate provided on this page is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster. Reserve your room and select the dates you need to stay for the group rate. Please book early as the reserved block of rooms could fill up.

A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships do not include hotel, travel or meals.

If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not awarded, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.

Download the Scholarship Application, or get more information about scholarships on our Scholarships webpage.

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email. 

The attire for the course is business casual.

Meet Your

TCED Course Instructor

 

 

 

 

Mastering Data and AI for Strategic Economic Development Impact

TN Certified Economic Developer Program

Course Details

The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, selected meals and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please make payment for the course no later than 10 business days before the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.

Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 10 business days will be eligible for credit only, minus a $100 cancellation fee.

The hotel group rate provided on this page is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster. Reserve your room and select the dates you need to stay for the group rate. Please book early as the reserved block of rooms could fill up.

A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships do not include hotel, travel or meals.

If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not awarded, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.

Download the Scholarship Application, or get more information about scholarships on our Scholarships webpage.

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email. 

The attire for the course is business casual.

Meet Your

TCED Course Instructor

 

 

 

 

TN Economic Resiliency Course

TN Certified Economic Developer Program

Course Details

The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, selected meals and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please make payment for the course no later than 10 business days before the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.

Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 10 business days will be eligible for credit only, minus a $100 cancellation fee.

The hotel group rate provided on this page is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster. Reserve your room and select the dates you need to stay for the group rate. Please book early as the reserved block of rooms could fill up.

A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships do not include hotel, travel or meals.

If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not awarded, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.

Download the Scholarship Application, or get more information about scholarships on our Scholarships webpage.

If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email. 

The attire for the course is business casual.

Meet Your

TCED Course Instructor

 

 

 

 

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