Some students come to college with a plan.
As a first-generation college student from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, college was not always part of her story. In fact, at one point, it was not the plan at all. Like many students without a family history in higher education, the path forward was not clearly defined. After graduating high school, she found herself stepping into the workforce, working third shift and questioning what she wanted her future to look like.
Then, she made a decision that would change everything. She chose to come to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
That choice did not just shape her education. It shaped her entire trajectory.
Curel initially arrived at UTC simply looking for something different, a place that felt like her own. What she found was more than a campus. She found a community, a challenge and eventually, a purpose.
Her journey within the Gary W. Rollins College of Business did not follow a straight line. Originally planning to pursue a career in the medical field, her focus shifted when she took a business course in high school. Curel discovered a passion for creativity, communication and connection, ultimately leading her to pursue a degree in marketing.
“I liked medical, but when I started taking business classes, I realized I enjoyed it more,” she said. “I liked making flyers, planning events and just being creative. That’s when I knew I wanted to go into marketing.”
But even then, the road was not easy.
After her first year, Curel made the difficult decision to step away from college. Academically and personally, she knew she was not where she needed to be. For a time, she returned home, working long hours and feeling the weight of a routine that did not align with the life she envisioned for herself.
“When I was home, all I remember is clocking in and clocking out,” she said. “I wasn’t really doing anything else, and I realized there had to be more.”
Encouraged by peers and motivated by her own reflection, she made the decision to return
And this time, she came back different.
“When I came back, I knew I had to be different,” she said. “I had to learn how to study, how to not procrastinate and how to actually ask for help.”
Determined to grow, Curel began to rebuild, not just her academic habits, but her mindset. She learned how to ask for help, manage her time and push herself beyond the version of who she had been before. What followed was a transformation that would define the rest of her college experience.
She served as Student Government Association treasurer, resident assistant, president of First in Fletcher, led community service projects and had campuswide involvement. Curel did not just join organizations, she elevated them. What started as a simple step into involvement turned into a commitment to leadership, service and impact.
But what makes her story stand out is not just the number of roles she held. It is how she approached them.
Leadership for Curel was never about titles. It was about people.
As a resident assistant, she learned how to navigate different perspectives, support students through challenges and truly listen.
“I had to learn how to understand different perspectives and really communicate with people,” she said. “You can’t just stay surface-level. You have to listen and figure out what’s really going on.”
As president of First in Fletcher, she found purpose in helping other first-generation students feel seen, supported and capable of success.
“That one was the most meaningful to me,” she said, “because I got to actually help people through things I had already gone through.”
That sense of connection became the foundation of her leadership.
Balancing all of these responsibilities was not always easy, but Curel credits her success to one key lesson: she did not do it alone. Through teams, mentors and peers, she learned the importance of collaboration and, perhaps most importantly, the strength in asking for help.
“I realized you can’t take on life by yourself,” she said. “Asking for help is normal.”
It is a lesson that now defines the advice she gives to other students.
For those intimidated by getting involved, especially within the Rollins College of Business, her message is simple: what looks intimidating on the outside is often just unfamiliar. The opportunities are there, and the people within them are ready to help.
“Things look intimidating from the outside, but once you go up and ask, people are willing to help,” she said. “Everyone has something they can teach you.”
Beyond involvement, she emphasizes the importance of balance, encouraging students to prioritize their academics while still making space for experiences that will shape them beyond the classroom.
“Get involved, make good grades and don’t wait until the last minute,” she said. “Give yourself the chance to actually enjoy your time here.”
Through it all, Curel’s impact has been undeniable.
Whether it is mentoring students, building stronger organizations or simply showing up with positivity and intention, she has left a lasting mark on the UTC community. Her leadership has already inspired others to step into roles she once held, continuing a cycle of influence that extends far beyond her time on campus.
When asked what legacy she hopes to leave behind, her answer was not about accomplishments. It was about character.
“I hope my kindness spreads,” she said. “Even the smallest thing you do for someone can go a long way.”
And it has.
Looking back, Jones said the moment she is most proud of is one that defined her entire journey.
“I’m most proud that I kept going,” she said. “After everything, I came back and I didn’t stop.”
Now pursuing her master’s degree, she continues to build on that momentum.
Curel’s story is one of resilience, growth and purpose. It is about choosing to come back, choosing to improve and choosing to lead with intention every step of the way.
This is not just a student highlight. It is a thank you.
Thank you, Curel, for your leadership, your resilience and your commitment to this community.
Thank you for setting an example of what it means to lead with both strength and kindness.
And thank you for the impact you have made, not only within the Rollins College of Business, but across the entire UTC campus.
Your story is one that will continue to inspire long after you walk across the stage with a master’s degree.
