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Updates and news for the week of January 10 – January 16, 2023
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 chuck-wasserstrom@utc.edu in the Division of Communications and Marketing by 3 p.m. on Friday for placement in the following Tuesday’s newsletter.
Campus Updates | University Events Master Calendar | UTC News
Roadshows To Introduce “A Moc’s First Year”
UTC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Accreditation is reconsidered every 10 years and follows a formal reaffirmation process. The next step for UTC in this reaffirmation process is a campus visit by a SACSCOC team to ensure our compliance with accreditation standards. UTC hosts this visit to campus March 6-9.
In conjunction with this process and its requirements, UTC also has developed a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) built on a long-term commitment to student success.
- The visiting team will review the UTC QEP titled “A Moc’s First Year”—which is intended to increase the retention and graduation of first-time, full-time freshmen students.
- “A Moc’s First Year” will bridge and connect a variety of current and new initiatives, culminating in a centralized learning community model that increases student and faculty interaction, the overall feeling of community on campus, the connection of our new students to Chattanooga, and overall student success at UTC.
To learn about “A Moc’s First Year” and the upcoming SACSCOC On-Site Review Team visit, please participate in a SACSCOC Roadshow in the weeks ahead, including two sessions on Wednesday, Jan. 18—at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.—in the UTC Library’s Southern Writers Room.
Save the Date: UTC Spring Research and Arts Conference
 The UTC Spring Research and Arts Conference will take place on April 12. ReSEARCH Dialogues has been renamed the UTC Spring Research and Arts Conference, with the event taking place April 12 in the University Center.
This conference provides a place for students to showcase their academic and creative endeavors. The event will feature displays, presentations and posters from UTC undergrads, graduate students and faculty. Community college students and community partners are also invited to present.
To learn more about the program and to register for the event, visit the UTC Spring Research and Arts Conference page.
UTC, Chatt State sign articulation agreement
 Chattanooga State President Rebecca Ashford and Chancellor Angle Last Friday, a new Bachelor of Applied Science: Applied Leadership articulation agreement was made official between UTC and Chattanooga State Community College.
One of the UTC students currently participating in the BAS-AL degree program, City of Chattanooga Solid Waste Manager Roshonda Woods, came to campus for the signing ceremony.
GEAR UP Jobs for UTC Students
GEAR UP, a UTC outreach program that helps urban high school students get on track for college, is now accepting applications for tutoring jobs for the spring semester and would love to have you in the mix. Pay for all GEAR UP positions is $15 an hour; click here to apply.
Successful applicants will have completed 30 credit hours before the start of the spring 2023 semester; maintain a 2.5 GPA; be enrolled in a University program or have already graduated from one; and have the rare pleasure of celebrating Mardi Gras as part of their workplace duties. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled, and graduate students are eligible for these positions and are urged to apply.
Click here for more information on GEAR UP jobs. Please direct questions to hunter-huckabay@utc.edu.
Moc LEAD Organizational Leadership Applications Available
The Moc LEAD Organizational Leadership Experience is a fun and unique 10-week cohort-based experience that helps students prepare for their next steps as leaders in their campus organizations, their communities, part-time jobs, internships, and their future careers. This weekly one-hour program, led by community leaders, is intended to help students explore critical membership areas in an engaging way; to discover a new tool or new knowledge; to further connect participants to a network of resources; and to achieve desired positive-change outcomes.
- Sessions take place on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 through April 18.
- Applications close at 4 p.m. on Feb. 6.
- More information, including academic and retention data and the application, can be found at www.utc.edu/moclead.
- Email Daniel-Grzesik@utc.edu if you have any questions.
Calling Out for Nominations!
Do you know a student worker who goes above and beyond in their role on campus? Has a faculty or staff member who supervises student workers contributed to the lives of their students in a positive way? If so, we want to know about them!
The second week of April is National Student Employment Week. UTC will be joining in the festivities this year with the inaugural Student Employee of the Year and Supervisor of the Year Awards.
Nominations are due in MocSync by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 31. Please direct all questions to Endia-Butler@utc.edu.
MLK Day of Service
A federal holiday that began as a commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is now dedicated to encouraging and empowering Americans to participate in community service.
UTC is participating in City of Chattanooga MLK Day of Service events on Monday (Jan. 16). Events are taking place both online and in-person, beginning with an 8 a.m. virtual kickoff event via Facebook. All service projects are expected to take place from 9 a.m.-noon.
- Individuals and groups interested in volunteering for a local service project should sign up through the MLK Day of Service site.
- Completing the signup form allows a City of Chattanooga employee to connect you with an organization or individual leading a service project.
UTC MLK Day 2023
Prominent educator, author and public speaker Angela Davis will be the keynote speaker for the UTC MLK Day 2023 celebration taking place at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, in the Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall.
This year’s UTC MLK Day theme is “A Call for Civility.” The discussion and Q&A will be moderated by Dr. Felicia McGhee, associate professor and head of the UTC Department of Communication.
- This will be the 10th year of UTC hosting an MLK Day keynote speaker series and the first time in person since 2020.
- Registration information for the event, which is open to the general public, can be found at utc.edu/angela-davis.
Registrar Reminders
The Office of the University Registrar provided important upcoming registration dates and deadlines.
The list includes several important dates taking place this week:
- Wednesday (Jan. 11): Part of Term 1—Last day to register for classes including to add a section or change sections
- Thursday (Jan. 12): Part of Term 1—Last day to drop a class before a grade of W (withdrawal) is recorded
- Friday (Jan. 13): Full Term—Last day to change any registrations from credit to audit or from audit to credit. You must contact the Mocs One Center by 5 p.m.
- Sunday (Jan. 15): Full Term—Last day to register for courses including to add a section or change sections; currently enrolled graduate students and seniors may add courses through the Senior and Graduate Student Registration Request.
All-Conference Performances
 Dr. Michael Thompson, left, and Will Watson Dr. Michael Thompson, UC Foundation associate professor of American History and the head of the Department of History, and Will Watson, the workforce development specialist for the Center for Professional Education, have been selected to the 2022-2023 All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team.
As award recipients, they will receive an engraved plaque presented by Southern Conference Commissioner Jim Schaus at an upcoming McKenzie Arena men’s basketball game Feb. 22 vs. Samford.
The Outstanding People of UTC
 Dr. Mina Sartipi Congratulations to UTC faculty and staff who received awards or submitted proposals for sponsored programs in December. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs announced that faculty and staff attracted $305,250 in external grant and contract awards during the month and submitted proposals for the potential to generate over $4,464,470 in external funding, if awarded.
Among those receiving awards in December was Dr. Mina Sartipi, Guerry Professor of Engineering and Computer Science and founding director of the UTC Center for Urban Informatics and Progress, who received $68,044 from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the project titled, “ORNL Joint Faculty Appointment.”
Check out these Mocs making a difference:
- UC Foundation Associate Professor of Economics Leanora Brown was recently featured in the Jamaica Observer, a daily newspaper published in Kingston, Jamaica.
- Mocs defensive tackle Devonnsha Maxwell has accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 2 in Las Vegas, becoming just the sixth UTC football player on a Shrine Bowl roster since the bowl was established in 1925. Maxwell also will be playing in the annual Hula Bowl this Saturday (Jan. 14) in Orlando.
- For the second time in two months, men’s basketball player Jake Stephens was named the Southern Conference Player of the Month. He has been named SoCon player of the week six times this season, joining former Davidson legend Steph Curry as the only other conference player to achieve that feat.
- 2013 graduate Sunny Fleming, Esri’s industry lead for public sector environment, was the subject of an extended Q&A with Geohipsters.com.
February Update: Parent and Family Newsletter
The February edition of the UTC Parent and Family Association newsletter will be emailed to members on Feb. 1.
If you have information to share with the families of UTC students—upcoming events, important deadlines, helpful suggestions and departmental news—email details to hannah-turcotte@utc.edu no later than Friday, Jan. 20. The monthly newsletter is distributed to more than 4,600 parents/family members; you can view a sample newsletter here.
- Keep info to one paragraph of 200 (or fewer) words.
- Images or logos to accompany the paragraph may be submitted.
Message from Mocs Card Services
Residential students, the spring 2023 meal plan change request deadline is Jan. 22. Students may request a meal plan change by emailing MOCSCARD@UTC.EDU; remember to include your UTC ID number and the meal plan you would like for the semester. Requests received after Jan. 22 will not be accepted.
Meal plan eligibility is based on earned credit hours. The University classifies undergraduate students as freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors according to the number of credit hours students have completed:
- Freshman: 0-29 semester hours
- Sophomore: 30-59 semester hours
- Junior: 60-89 semester hours
- Senior: 90 or more semester hours
- The Meal Plans are listed by student classification. Please click here for more information.
Don’t Cancel Your Class Initiative
Survivor Advocacy Services, a program within the Center for Women and Gender Equity, is continuing an educational initiative entitled “Don’t Cancel Your Class.” Rather than canceling your class when you have a time conflict, consider using it as an opportunity for your students to learn about survivor advocacy.
The educational sessions can be offered in person or virtually when professors need to cancel classes or want to bring in a guest speaker. These programs are intended to offer sessions about gender-based violence for the UTC community and offer connections to on-campus resources.
Please click here for a list of session topics that are available and additional information. Sessions can be customized for the specific needs of your class or organization.
New Research Data Resource
The University of Michigan has launched an online portal/clearinghouse—researchdatagov.org—that helps researchers find existing data collected by federal agencies on a wide range of topics. The focus of the website is data that are subject to access restrictions. These are typically addressed through a data use agreement or other data licensing mechanism.
The UTC Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and Office of Research Integrity are happy to assist with the execution of these agreements and provide guidance regarding Institutional Review Board oversight requirements. Please contact Angie Morelock in ORSP and/or David Deardorff in ORI if you plan to use restricted data in your research.
Fly for Researchers Pitch Competition
UTC faculty, staff and graduate students from all colleges are invited to apply to pitch their ideas that have the potential to be commercialized or licensed.
The Fly for Researchers Pitch Competition will be held on Thursday, April 20, from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Each selected finalist will give a 5-minute presentation, followed by up to 8 minutes of Q&A. Up to $35,000 in internal grants will be awarded: $20,000 for 1st place; $10,000 for 2nd place; and $5,000 for 3rd place.
Register to attend a Zoom session from noon-1 p.m. on Jan. 18 to learn more about the opportunity and the process. The 2022 awardees will also share their experiences and advice.
Study Abroad Opportunities
Want to study abroad? Come to a Study Abroad 102 session to find out how to have a global adventure while earning UTC credit. Session dates, times, locations and RSVPs can be found here. This session will allow students to meet with a staff member in order to get their general questions answered and work on choosing the right program that matches their academic, personal and professional goals.
Haven’t signed up for the Study Abroad 101 Canvas course yet? Do that here before attending a session!
Mocs Recovery Open House
Students, faculty and staff are invited to join the Mocs Recovery Program for an open house from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, Jan.20, in the Mocs Recovery Lounge (University Center Room 154). Attendees will receive a ticket for a free lunch provided by the Korean Bopcha food truck, which will be parked just outside the Recovery Lounge.
Come and learn what the UTC recovery program is all about and how you can get involved.
Campus Updates
Meet-up for Researchers is an opportunity to share research interests and projects with other faculty, staff, and graduate students and learn more about research and innovation happening at UTC.
The first event of 2023 will take place from 11 a.m.-noon on Friday, Jan. 27, in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Mapp Building, 2nd floor) featuring Deborah McAllister, a UC Foundation professor in the School of Education who just celebrated her 30th year at UTC. She will talk about her recent projects with pre-service and in-service K-12 teachers, which utilize robotics and drones. Lunch will be provided. Please contact jennifer-skjellum@utc.edu with questions. Register here to attend.
UTC Parking provided a reminders list for students, faculty and staff about parking rules and regulations for the spring semester.
Take Five, UTC’s community-wide reading club, returns on Jan. 24 when Dr. Carl Springer, SunTrust Bank Chair of Excellence in the Humanities and Classical Languages and Literature, presents Luther’s Rome, Rome’s Luther. Always free and open to the public, Take Five sessions take place in the Chattanooga Room of the University Center. Parking is free and a light dinner is served. The books are available at the UTC Bookstore and at any online retailer. No RSVP is needed, so come as you are and bring a friend or two. Future sessions take place Feb. 7, Feb. 28, March 21 and April 4. For any questions, please contact Aaron-Shaheen@utc.edu.
A Grant Writing Workshop set for Feb. 2-3 will provide individual, technical assistance consultation sessions. This workshop is highly encouraged for new faculty or faculty who are new to federal proposal development. Click here to register for the workshop and here to register for 1:1 consultations.
Looking ahead
Events posted to this week’s University master calendar include:
 Abbey Cornelius recently surpassed the 1,000-point mark for her UTC career (photo credit: Ray Soldano/Chattanooga Athletics) This week’s Mocs Athletics calendar:
- Wednesday (Jan. 11): Men’s Basketball vs. Western Carolina (McKenzie Arena), 7 p.m.
- Thursday (Jan. 12): Women’s Basketball vs. Samford (McKenzie Arena), 7 p.m.
- Friday (Jan. 13): Wrestling vs. West Virginia (Maclellan Gym), 7 p.m.
- Saturday (Jan. 14): Women’s Basketball vs. Mercer (McKenzie Arena), 2 p.m.
- Saturday (Jan. 14): Men’s Basketball at Samford (Birmingham, Ala.), 6 p.m.
- Sunday (Jan. 15): Women’s Tennis at UNC Asheville (Asheville, N.C.), TBA
Looking back
When South Campus students returned to UTC for the start of the spring 2023 semester, they quickly found a space they can call their own: The Aviary at Stacy Town Center.
Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
A Big Step for One Small Step
 Tracy Beamon and Christopher Cooper For the past several months, UTC and the University’s PodLab, managed by Will Davis, have been taking “One Small Step”—an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us. The initiative brings strangers together to learn who we are as people, and in this brief excerpt from their conversation, Tracy Beamon and Christopher Cooper of Chattanooga talk about race.
The UTC PodLab, a student podcasting studio for training the next generation of professional podcasters, is one of just six sites in the country selected to host “One Small Step” by StoryCorps, the National Public Radio-affiliated nonprofit that records, preserves and shares stories from everyday Americans. Audio recordings of each interview are archived at the Library of Congress.
- This semester, students in Davis’ Honors College seminar will be involved in every aspect of editing, packaging, promoting and sharing a multi-episode serial podcast based on the Chattanooga One Small Step conversations.
WUTC Spotlight: Scenic Roots
Inventanooga is an annual showcase for students to pitch an invention and business plan that addresses a real-world problem.
Dr. Thomas Lyons, the Clarence E. Harris Chair of Excellence in Entrepreneurship at UTC, and Sarah Mattson, a senior small business consultant with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center in Chattanooga, recently spoke with Scenic Roots host and producer Ray Bassett.
Be Well Tip of the Week: Welcome back
It is the start of a new semester and such an exciting time to engage with the campus, meet new people and explore new opportunities. In fact, getting engaged in the community and increasing social connectedness greatly improves your mental and physical health. Social connection has less to do with how many friends you have or the number of social events you attend but rather how connected you feel to others and your community.
Here are some tips for strengthening your social connections this semester:
- Try to say hello to someone new each day and ask them how they are doing. This can be someone in line with you at Starbucks, someone working out near you at the gym, or someone walking their dog as you are walking across campus. (This last example may come with the added benefit of dog snuggles. Connection to animals is impactful, too).
- Schedule ongoing friend “dates” that provide dedicated time in your week to connect with those whose company you value.
- Volunteer on campus or in the community. In addition to improved health outcomes, volunteerism has been shown to increase one’s sense of purpose. Check out some opportunities listed on the Center for Career and Leadership Development page.
- Check out the list of student organizations on MocSync to see when groups meet and how you can become involved.
- Attend some of the events occurring this week for Winter Welcome.
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