August 11-17, 2026

Updates and news for the week of August 11-17, 2026

The UTC Campus Weekly newsletter is distributed every Tuesday morning. If you have news, events or announcements you would like shared with campus, please submit your information to Peyton Schultz (peyton-l-schultz@utc.edu) in the Division of Communications and Marketing by 3 p.m. on Friday for placement in the following Tuesday’s newsletter.

UTC News  |  UTC Events Calendar  |  Campus Updates  |  In the Media

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Highlights

VOLUNTEER FOR OPERATION MOVE IN AND WEEKS OF WELCOME 2026

Operation Move In (OMI) 2026 is scheduled for Aug. 19-20 in residential spaces for new students across campus.

OMI provides an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and organizations to come together and create a welcoming, supportive environment for incoming students and their families. A campuswide committee is coordinating the two-day event, with volunteer roles including unloading, moving, parking and greeting.

Those interested in volunteering can register here. For more information, contact the OMI Volunteer Committee co-chairs Erica Holmes Trujillo and Dr. Andrew McCarthy at omi@utc.edu.

Weeks of Welcome 2026 is returning with two weeks of events designed to welcome students to campus, and faculty and staff are invited to get involved.

Faculty and staff are also needed to volunteer at two signature Weeks of Welcome events:

• Oak Street Roast: 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, at Chamberlain Field. Volunteers will help welcome more than 2,000 students as they kick off the new semester. Click here to sign up.
• Welcome Tables: One-hour shifts are available on Aug. 24-25 to greet students, distribute snacks and water, and share Weeks of Welcome information. Click here to sign up.

Contact Laura Petrus with any questions about Weeks of Welcome.

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Volunteer for A Moc’s First Class

A Moc’s First Year is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to host a First Class session on Friday, Aug. 21, immediately following Convocation.

Volunteers will spend about an hour welcoming new students, leading a brief activity, sharing tips for a successful first week and helping students feel more comfortable as they begin their college experience. Click here to volunteer.

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Measles: What you need to know 

Measles is highly contagious—even more so than COVID-19. To ensure campus is healthy, it is vital that you know your immune status by verifying your vaccination records or laboratory proof of immunity.

Take action today:

• Check your status: Log in to the UTC Medicat Patient Portal to review your records.
• Need a blood titer? If you do not have documentation of immunity through vaccination, call UTC Health Services at 423-425-2266 to schedule a blood test.
  • Titers can be billed through insurance or paid out of pocket for $11
•  Feeling sick? Do not walk into the clinic. Call first to help protect others.

UTC reports that 98% of students on campus have immunity, which serves as a strong shield for the community. Having immunity significantly reduces the chances of getting measles and keeps you from needing to be quarantined for up to 21 days if you are exposed.

Click here for more information.

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Get your textbooks with MocsBooks

UTC has launched the MocsBooks Total Access Program for undergraduate students beginning in fall 2026. The new course material delivery program provides required materials for participating courses by the first day of class, with costs included on the university billing statement at $22 per credit hour. The program is expected to save students 35-50% compared to purchasing materials individually. Click here to learn more.

How it works:

• Register for classes as usual.
• Approximately one month before classes begin, students will receive an email from the bookstore partner with instructions for reviewing courses and selecting how they would like to receive materials.
• The UTC Bookstore will prepare course materials and notify students when they are ready.
• Physical materials can be picked up at the UTC Bookstore or shipped directly to students.
• Digital materials will be available through Canvas.
• Students with rental materials will receive reminders about return deadlines at the end of the semester.

Benefits include:

• Lower costs on required course materials
• Access to course materials by the first day of class
• Digital materials delivered directly through Canvas
• One streamlined process for obtaining required course materials

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Join the 1886 challenge

Selia Jablonski

The UTC community has already logged more than 1,000 hours for the 1886 Challenge, and the fall semester hasn’t even started. Keep submitting your volunteer hours and photos through the 1886 Challenge page.

The 1886 Challenge calls on faculty, staff and students to collectively contribute 18,860 hours of community service during the 2026-27 academic year. The effort is intended to highlight service already taking place across the University through volunteer work, mentoring, service-learning and outreach.

Be sure to check out the photo gallery, including the image above of Selia Jablonski, a marketing major with a Spanish minor. Jablonski recently volunteered at Catoosa Kids Day, helping with event setup, distributing thousands of backpacks to families in need and connecting attendees with available community resources.

Outstanding People of UTC

2-year-old Amelia Aiken and UTC mechatronics major Austin McDade.

In early April, Kyndal Aiken sent an email to the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science asking whether anyone might be willing to help. Her 2-year-old daughter, who has cerebral palsy, needed a mobility device that could help her move more independently. In the email, she asked whether UTC students might be willing to take on the project. Mechatronics major Austin McDade came to the family’s rescue.

• The story brought the Times Free Press and NewsChannel 9 to campus, with the Times Free Press feature landing on the front page of Sunday’s newspaper. In addition, WDEF’s “What’s Right With Our School’s” filmed a segment that will run later this summer.

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From left: Dr. Stephanie Eton, Dr. Vickie Blalock, Dr. Kyle Binkley, Dr. Faith Rose, Dr. Matthew Annessi, Dr. Ross von Glahn and Dr. Douglas Daniel.

Dr. Faith Rose received her framed certificate as the first graduate of the Siskin Hospital-University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, a first for Siskin Hospital and another step toward preparing more specialists to serve older adults in Chattanooga and across Tennessee.

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

• Dr. Tyler Oberheim, assistant professor of counselor education, was interviewed by the Times Free Press for a front-page story about the recently launched Clinical Addiction Studies Certificate program.
• Senior English Lecturer Stephanie Todd spoke with Jed & JR Mornings about the benefits of reading and its impact on lifespan.
• Dr. Mark Johnson, assistant professor of history, was featured by the Chattanooga Pulse for his new book “American Bacon: The History of a Food Phenomenon.”
• Assistant Professor Justin Wymer was featured by the Southern Review of Books.
• Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Matt Matthews spoke with Local 3 News about the new Focused Baccalaureate Degree program, which helps streamline students’ paths towards bachelor’s degrees.
• College of Nursing Dean Chris Smith was highlighted by HealthScope Magazine as one of the deans shaping the next generation of nurses.
• Dr. Sarah Heise, assistant professor of political science, spoke to Local 3 News about voter turnout in a midterm election year.
• UC Foundation Associate Professor of Political Science Saeid Golkar spoke to the New York Times about Iran’s security forces.

Mark Your Calendar

The Gary W. Rollins College of Business will hold virtual information sessions for the Master of Business Administration, MS Management, MS Data Analytics, Business Analytics Certificate and Master of Accountancy graduate programs. The Rollins College of Business graduate programs provide flexible course options and exclusive career support resources to elevate your education and advance your career.

Business Analytics Certificate Information Sessions

• Today (Aug. 11): Noon: Register Here … 5 p.m.: Register Here

MBA Information Sessions

• Wednesday, Aug. 12: Noon: Register Here … 5 p.m.: Register Here

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Singing Mocs is UTC’s contemporary commercial a cappella choir, specializing in pop and jazz vocal styles. They rehearse from 4:20-5:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a highly select choir, but there are a few open spots for the fall semester, namely in the soprano and bass sections (though altos and tenors are encouraged to audition as well). Auditions will be held on Monday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Aug. 25. For more information about the audition and to sign up for a time, please use this link.

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UTC departments seeking student employees are invited to participate in the Part-Time Job Fair during Weeks of Welcome. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, in the University Center Tennessee Room and provides an opportunity to connect with students looking for part-time employment opportunities on campus.

Departments interested in participating can contact Marli Wolff, assistant director of community and employer relations, for registration information.

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House Calls, an Enrollment Management and Student Affairs initiative created to help ease the transition for students experiencing challenges or having questions about life on campus, returns Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 5-8 p.m. Orientation will be held at 5 p.m. in the University Center Tennessee Room, then moves to University halls from 6-8 p.m.

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Photo courtesy of Derek Daniel/GoMocs.com

Kickoff times and promotions have been announced for the Chattanooga Mocs’ 2026 home football schedule at Finley Stadium:

• Sept. 5 vs. Tennessee Tech, 6 p.m.
  • Future Fans Night (free admission for children 12 and younger)
  • Annual Little Mocs Walk
  • Light-up rally towel giveaway for the first 1,000 fans
• Sept. 19 vs. Wofford, 6 p.m.
  • White Out Game
  • UTC Fall Family Weekend
  • Mocs Flock Finley
  • Academic Night
• Oct. 10 vs. Samford, 1 p.m.
  • Salute to Heroes
• Oct. 31 vs. VMI, 1 p.m.
  • Halloween with the Mocs
  • Scrappy Kids Club Day
  • Senior Day
• Nov. 7 vs. Mercer, 1 p.m.
  • Homecoming
  • Fan Appreciation Game
  • Band Day

Season tickets are on sale now through GoMocs.com.

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Jazz pianist Benny Green opens the UTC LIVE! season in a benefit concert for WUTC-FM 88.1.

The UTC LIVE! season opens Thursday, Sept. 17, with jazz pianist Benny Green performing a benefit concert for WUTC-FM 88.1 in the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall. Born in New York City and raised in Berkeley, California, Green began performing professionally as a child and later worked with Betty Carter, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Freddie Hubbard and the Ray Brown Trio. He also recorded with Oscar Peterson and Diana Krall and has continued leading his own trio and recording as a bandleader.

UTC LIVE! will move most of its 2026-27 performances to Cadek Hall, giving the series a smaller setting that better fits the artists and programs it presents.

Known for bringing noted artists to campus who are outside the mainstream, UTC LIVE! will present jazz, Danish folk music, a historically informed Beethoven program and a marimba recital, with most of the season taking place in Cadek Hall’s 217-seat recital hall—a space especially well suited for piano, jazz and other acoustic performances. The smaller setting also brings audiences closer to the stage, allowing eye contact between performers and audience members.

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Undergraduate Admissions announced its fall 2026 recruitment event schedule. Faculty and staff are encouraged to save the dates and help spread the word to prospective students and families

• • Sept. 30: Power C Tour – Nashville/Franklin
  • Oct. 8: Power C Tour – Memphis
  • Oct. 21: Power C Tour – Knoxville
  • Oct. 28: Power C Tour – Chattanooga
  • Nov. 14: Blue and Gold Preview

Campus Updates

UTC is continuing the transition from Gmail to Outlook as part of the Google to Microsoft 365 project. Mailbox migrations began in March 2026 and have continued throughout the summer in weekly batches. Most current and new student accounts have now been transitioned to Outlook for email, with a small number of migrations still in progress.

Student action items:

• Check MyMocsNet and your student email for notices about the status of your mailbox migration.
• Review the guide for accessing your student email during and after the transition.

Frequently asked questions:

• FAQ for Returning Students (Enrolled Spring & Summer 2026)
• FAQ for New Students (Accepted Fall 2026)
• FAQ for Faculty and Staff

If you experience issues with your email, you can:

• Visit the IT Solutions Center in Maclellan Gym.
• Submit a request for account assistance.
• Call 423-425-4000 and press 3.

For general questions about the Google to Microsoft 365 transition project, contact the migration team.

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Nominations are now open for the University of Tennessee’s 2027 Leadership Institute. The weeklong program will be held March 7–12, 2027, and focuses on decision-making, ethical leadership, team engagement and cross-system collaboration. Employees across the UT System are eligible; nominees should be at the assistant director’s level or above (or have comparable responsibilities) and demonstrate strong performance, growth potential and a commitment to developing others. Nomination materials are available on the Office of Employee Engagement and Organizational Development (EEOD) page of the UT System’s Central Hub and should be submitted directly to EEOD via email no later than Aug. 28. Questions about Leadership Institute can be submitted to EEOD Executive Director Kelsey Fleming.

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A new DASH TDX Training Hub is now available, providing a centralized resource designed to support the campus community.

The Training Hub brings together knowledge and expertise from multiple departments to create a single location for training and support resources. Whether you’re new to DASH or looking for guidance on specific processes, the hub provides easy access to:

• Step-by-step instructions
• Job aids and reference guides
• Helpful links and resources
• Frequently used documentation

The Training Hub will continue to evolve as new information, enhancements and training materials become available. Faculty and staff are encouraged to bookmark the site, refer to it whenever assistance is needed and share it with colleagues across campus. Feedback is also welcome as the Training Hub continues to grow and improve.

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The Department of Physical Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics Program and the Center for Wellbeing have teamed up for the third interdisciplinary wellness program, the Mocs Wellness Initiative, for full-time UTC faculty and staff. The Mocs Wellness Initiative is part of a research project approved by the UTC Institutional Review Board.

Key program content includes:

• Physical therapy evaluation and weekly training at the ARC
• Nutrition assessment, nutrition classes and individual counseling
• Health coaching
• Group cooking class
• Optional lab work and blood testing
• Unlimited ARC membership
• Participation in a UTC-approved research study

The program runs September 2026-April 2027, with weekly training on Thursdays from 3:30-5:15 p.m. It may be especially beneficial for employees managing a new health diagnosis, such as high blood pressure or pre-diabetes/diabetes, or those looking for support in building sustainable healthy habits.

The cost is $100 for employees earning less than $50,000 annually. Employees earning $50,000 or more pay the $200 ARC membership fee. Prior participants are not eligible, and space is limited.

Click here for more program information and click here to apply. For questions, contact Betsy Myers.

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UTC will kick off a yearlong celebration of its 140th anniversary on Founder’s Day, Sept. 15, honoring the University’s history while highlighting its continued impact on Chattanooga and beyond.

As part of the celebration, the campus community is invited to participate in two anniversary initiatives:

• 1886 Challenge: Faculty, staff and students will work together to complete 18,860 hours of community service during the anniversary year.
• 140 Community Events for 140 Years: UTC will recognize and support 140 community-focused events led by faculty, staff and students that strengthen connections with the Chattanooga community.

Additional information about Founder’s Week events, the anniversary initiatives and ways to participate will be shared in the coming weeks.

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Have a rock, mineral or fossil you’d like identified? The UTC Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science is hosting free identification nights every Monday from 5-7 p.m. on the first floor of Grote Hall (701 Vine St.).

Visitors should enter through the double doors on the exterior of the building. Free parking is available in Lot 10 after 5 p.m.

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Registration is now open for Chattanooga Connect 2026, the UTC Research Institute’s (UTCRI) third annual conference that brings together leaders from government, industry, academia and entrepreneurship to explore the future of transportation, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and connected mobility.

Hosted Sept. 14-16 in Chattanooga, Chattanooga Connect will convene national experts, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders to share how emerging technologies are moving beyond research and pilot projects into real-world deployment. The three-day event will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking opportunities, technology demonstrations and collaborative discussions focused on advancing practical, scalable solutions to some of today’s most pressing infrastructure and mobility challenges.

For registration, conference information and sponsorship opportunities, visit go.utc.edu/cc or email utcri@utc.edu.

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All aboard the UTC train! Did you know UTC has a custom train? This unique piece of campus history is available for campus and community events.

From parades, pep rallies, tailgates and more, the UTC train could bring the ultimate blue and gold energy to your next activity. To request the train for an event or to volunteer to become an official conductor, email Laura Snyder.

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The Working Families Tax Cuts Act of 2025 includes significant changes to federal student aid programs for enrollment periods beginning on or after July 1, 2026. Updates include new federal loan borrowing limits for students and parents, a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), changes to Pell Grant eligibility and revisions to FAFSA need analysis.

UTC has launched a dedicated resource page with information about the legislation and its potential impact on students. The page will be updated as additional guidance becomes available. Faculty and staff are encouraged to review the website regularly for the latest information.

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Want to learn more about the Mosaic Program? The Mosaic team is visiting departments across campus to share program updates, introduce new staff members and answer questions about supporting UTC’s neurodiverse community—all while bringing cookies.

Departments interested in hosting a Cookies and Conversation session can scan the QR code on the flyer to schedule a visit.

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Adobe Stock Image

As artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of day-to-day work across industries, the UTC Center for Professional Education will offer two online programs in September to help working professionals build practical AI skills for different needs and experience levels.

The two offerings are AI Essentials with Prompting, a live online workshop scheduled for Sept. 15 and Sept. 17, and CompTIA Security AI+ Certification Prep, an eight-week live online course that begins Sept. 19. Together, the programs give learners two entry points into AI-related professional development: one focused on broad workplace fluency, productivity and responsible use, and one designed for cybersecurity professionals working in a threat environment increasingly shaped by AI. Click here for more information or to register.

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Love to read? The UTC Book Club invites faculty, staff and students to connect through monthly book discussions and shared reading. Building on the success of the campus group, a new community initiative—Chatty Book Club—will launch in August with the goal of bringing readers across Chattanooga together through a shared monthly book selection, discussion questions and local meetups. Follow the UTC Book Club and Chatty Book Club on Instagram for updates.

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics Department announced in April a multi-year extension of its successful apparel partnership with Adidas through BSN SPORTS. An exciting benefit of this renewed partnership is that all University departments and campus organizations can now purchase adidas apparel directly through BSN SPORTS at discounted pricing.

Whether you are outfitting your department, student organization or campus event, BSN SPORTS can help with customized adidas apparel and promotional products. This partnership with Adidas is an option for campus organizations to use, but it is not required. Items purchased through BSN help the athletics program reach benchmarks that unlock additional benefits as part of the agreement. 

For assistance with orders or to learn more about available products and pricing, please contact our BSN SPORTS representative, Garrett Ferrel, at 765-652-4052. The athletics department looks forward to expanding the benefits of this partnership across campus while continuing to strengthen the Mocs brand through adidas and BSN SPORTS.

UTC Newsroom

UTC DNP students Nicole Ward, left, and Trinity Brown work during the Chattanooga Wellness Expo in the Wolford Family Athletic Center.

Despite the rain, hundreds of Chattanooga community members came to McKenzie Arena and the Wolford Family Athletic Center recently for the Chattanooga Wellness Expo. Among them were 20 faculty members and students from UTC’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

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Clifton Hills Elementary teacher and UTC alum Meghan McDougall.

The UTC School of Education honored 41 pre-K-12 teachers during its third annual Mentor Teacher Awards Banquet, recognizing the educators who guide UTC teacher candidates through classroom residencies.

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Dr. Ashleigh Pipes (holding UTC flag).

This spring, Dr. Ashleigh Pipes traveled to Shantou, China, where researchers from around the world came together to discuss the question, “How do people learn language?”

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Dr. Yvette Hairston, Dr. Delight Yokley and other UTC community members.

Students arriving at Tommie F. Brown Academy for the first day of school received a blue-and-gold welcome from UTC. From 7:30 to 8 a.m., about two dozen UTC faculty, staff and students helped greet students and their parents as they returned for the new school year. The group waved blue-and-gold pom-poms, cheered and held signs, including one reading, “UTC Welcomes You.”

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Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:

• As communities across Tennessee and the country continue to face the effects of substance use disorders, UTC has launched its Clinical Addiction Studies Certificate, a fully online program designed to prepare more professionals to work with people affected by addiction. UTC’s Clinical Addiction Studies Certificate aligns with Tennessee educational requirements for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, or LADACs.
• More often than not, when students construct their class schedules for the semester, they find themselves with decent-sized time gaps from the end of one class to the start of the next. UTC has many places to hang out. From study areas and campus restaurants to recording studios and a game of spikeball, UTC has a wide variety of sites and activities to check out.

WUTC

Craig Fuller joined WUTC’s “Scenic Roots” to discuss becoming the new CEO of the Times Free Press.