Center for Regional Economic Enrichment - CREE

10/15/2026

On June 26, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare celebrated graduates of the Methodist Associate Advancement Program (MAAP), a collaborative initiative with the University of Memphis that expands access to bachelor’s degrees, certifications and other educational opportunities for Methodist associates.

Through this partnership, participants can advance their education, strengthen their skills and pursue new career opportunities while contributing to the healthcare workforce.

The next cohort for medical assisting is enrolling soon. Find out more at: https://www.memphis.edu/healthsciences/healthcare-career-academy/medical-assisting.php

10/09/2026

We’re proud of the impact GROWWTH has made alongside more than 2,500 families across 21 West Tennessee counties. As this chapter winds down, we’re grateful to the participants, partners, and stakeholders who made this work possible. The mission of connecting people to opportunity continues, with more to come.

Every ending makes room for what comes next.

As the GROWWTH program winds down, boxes of files are making their way to the shredder, team members are preparing for their next chapters, and we’re taking a moment to reflect on what we’ve built together.

To our more than 2,500 families across 21 West Tennessee counties who gave this innovative workforce development program a chance: thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey.

To our training and credentialing partners, community stakeholders, and resource providers: thank you for helping participants overcome barriers, access essential resources, and take steps toward a stronger future.

Thank you to the University of Memphis for being the springboard that helped us launch, learn, and make a difference in communities across West Tennessee.

While this chapter of GROWWTH is coming to a close, the work of connecting people to opportunity continues. What comes next won’t look like the GROWWTH you’ve known. A new model of workforce development service is taking shape, and we look forward to sharing more soon.

For now, we’re winding down, reflecting with gratitude, and preparing for what’s next.

Thank you for being part of the GROWWTH journey.

10/08/2026

Nichole Montgomery started at the University of Memphis in 2000. More than two decades later, she finished what she started.

After returning to her home state of Rhode Island, Montgomery built a career working with children and families, started a family and continued pursuing her education on and off. She accumulated credits but never completed her degree.

“I can say I never gave up,” Montgomery said. “I knew I wanted to finish my degree when I began working with children and families. I loved the work, and I knew it was where I was meant to be.”

Read more about Nichole's Finish Line journey here: https://www.memphis.edu/cree/finishline/studentsspeak.php

09/29/2026

Fall courses are enrolling now! Learning at your own PACE.

09/28/2026

Respect the River and keep it clean Tennessee!

09/25/2026

We're all just working 9-2-5. Happy Dolly Parton Day!

A True State of Tennessee Icon deserves a day of her own.

09/23/2026

Sometimes workforce development is about more than finding the next job. It’s about discovering what might come next.

For Brynesha, GROWWTH helped her earn new certifications, overcome barriers and begin imagining a future that includes entrepreneurship. Her vision? A fusion food truck serving Greater Memphis, with barbecue, Mexican and Italian egg rolls and salmon nachos.

“GROWWTH cares for you as a person. You’re not just another number or statistic.”

As Workforce Development Month comes to a close, we’re proud to share Brynesha’s story and celebrate the many ways people are building toward what’s next.

Read her story below. 👇
https://www.memphis.edu/growwth/stories.php

09/17/2026

Sometimes finding your path starts with simply taking the next step.

When Kenyata Anderson joined GROWWTH, she was between jobs and still considering where her interests could take her. Today, she has earned her culinary certification, found stable work at TPC Southwind and is already looking ahead to her next credential.

“I'm grateful for GROWWTH helping me to work on areas in my life to grow as a person.”

Read Kenyata’s story for Workforce Development Month. 👇
https://www.memphis.edu/growwth/stories.php

09/11/2026

This Workforce Development Month, invest in the people who help build stronger workplaces.

Ready to take the next step in your HR career? PACE’s SHRM Certification Prep+ Course is designed to help HR professionals prepare for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® exam while strengthening the knowledge and skills they use every day.

📅 October 21–23, 2026
📍 University of Memphis | Hybrid format
💼 $1,600 for 1–5 participants | Team discounts available for 6+

Participants will learn from a SHRM-certified instructor, build a personalized study plan, practice applying HR competencies to real-world situations and connect with other HR professionals.

Build your skills. Strengthen your workplace. Advance your career.

👉 Learn more and register: www.memphis.edu/management/programs/shrm-certification-prep.php

09/09/2026

Workforce development is about more than a job. It’s about having the opportunity to keep moving forward.

For Demetrius Ealy, that journey took 10 years, from an unfinished medical assisting program to earning her certification, advancing her career with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and now beginning the next step toward nursing.

Her story shows what workforce development can make possible: new skills, new opportunities and a path toward the future you’ve been working for.

Read Demetrius’ story for Workforce Development Month. 👇
https://www.memphis.edu/growwth/stories.php