Rhodes College graduate Kynnedy Tuggle ’20 has been included in the Memphis Flyer’s newly released “20 Under 30” list, which honors individuals who are making a significant impact on the future of Memphis. The honorees were chosen based on nominations from the publication’s readers.
In her role as a policy and advocacy associate at First 8 Memphis, Tuggle is at the forefront of transforming early childhood care and education. First 8 Memphis partners with the City of Memphis and Shelby County government to support programs for children from prenatal stages through age eight and their families.
Tuggle holds a bachelor’s degree in educational studies from Rhodes with a minor in Africana Studies, as well as a master’s degree in leadership and policy studies from The University of Memphis.
While at Rhodes, she was part of a kindergarten readiness team led by Prof. Kiren Khan and completed a research project on the significance of Black male educators as part of the Rhodes Institute for Regional Studies. Additionally, she was selected to give a TEDxMemphis presentation on “Race and Politics in a Digital Age.”
After graduating from Rhodes, Tuggle worked as an ESL teacher before transitioning into public policy roles. She has a diverse background that includes public speaking, conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, and evaluating new and existing policies.
“The liberal arts foundation I received at Rhodes continues to be a driving force in my advocacy,” said Tuggle. “Being grounded in intense critical thinking, ethical leadership, and community impact has been key to helping me connect history, policy, and lived experiences to continue to advance our early care and education system.”