January 13-19, 2026
Updates and news for the week of January 13-19, 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.
Highlights
Winter Welcome Week
Welcome to the start of the spring 2026 semester!
Winter Welcome Week provides a week of relaxing and exciting activities hosted by various departments and student organizations to help ease students into the spring semester. The calendar of events includes:
- Today (Jan. 13): Veteran and Military Affairs Operation Supply Drop, Hooper Hall 102, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Today (Jan. 13): International Tea Time, Lupton Hall Lobby, 3-4:40 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 14: Center for Student Leadership, Engagement, and Community Grand Opening, Lupton Hall Lobby, noon-3 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 14: Game Night at the Mocs Recovery Lounge, Mocs Recovery Lounge at Stacy Town Center, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 14: Paint Night, Lupton Hall Lobby, 7 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 15: Start Well: Winter Edition, Center for Wellbeing Lounge, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 15: Warm Welcome with the Graduate School: Hot Cocoa and Cider Bar, University Center Lobby tables, noon-2 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 15: Winter Organization Fair, University Center Tennessee Room, 4-6 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 15: Pizza and Pwange, eSports facility at Maclellan Gym, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 16: Dinner and a Show featuring comedian and magician Trent James, University Center Tennessee Room, 6-8 p.m.
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UTC Earns National Recognition for Community Engagement
UTC has been nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to community engagement, earning the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification—awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in collaboration with the American Council on Education.
UTC was one of a select group of U.S. colleges and universities chosen in the 2026 cycle for the elective designation. Widely regarded as the nation’s most visible and selective validation of community engagement in higher education, the classification recognizes institutions that demonstrate deep, sustained partnerships with their communities and embed that work across the academic enterprise and institutional mission.
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New Phone or Apple watch for the Holidays? Don’t Forget Your Mocs Card!
Students, faculty and staff: Did you receive a new phone or Apple watch over the holidays? Make sure your Mocs Card is added to your new device by following these simple steps:
- Email mocscard@utc.edu and let us know you have a new phone (and provide your UTC ID number)
- We will update your account and send simple instructions for adding your ID to your new device
- Important: You must notify us so we can remove your original phone (or Apple watch) from your account
- Questions? Call us at 423-425-2218
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Meal Plan Change Request Deadline
The spring 2026 meal plan change request deadline is 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Students may now request a meal plan change by emailing mocscard@utc.edu. Remember to include your UTC ID number and the eligible meal plan you would like for the spring 2026 semester. Any requests received after Sunday, Jan. 25, 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 the student has 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 refer to this link for that information.
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Provost’s Student attendance challenge
The Provost’s Student Attendance Challenge gives students another reason to fill McKenzie Arena and cheer on the Mocs men’s and women’s basketball teams. Show up, bring the noise and students could walk away with up to $1,000 in scholarships just for being there.
Here’s how it works: For men’s basketball, if 500 or more students attend, one student will be randomly selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship; if fewer than 500 attend, one student will be randomly selected to receive a $500 scholarship. For women’s basketball, if 200 or more students attend, one student will be randomly selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship; if fewer than 200 attend, one student will be randomly selected to receive a $500 scholarship.
To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled at UTC and secure their ticket to the game through GoMocs.com. At halftime, a winner will be selected from the list of students in attendance and recognized with an on-court “big-check” moment. Student organizations, residence halls and friend groups are encouraged to make Mocs basketball part of their spring routine — wear blue and gold, bring energy and help make McKenzie Arena rock.
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New federal ADA digital accessibility requirements take effect in April
Beginning Friday, April 24, all government entities—including public universities—must comply with new ADA Title II requirements for digital accessibility. This update from the U.S. Department of Justice impacts websites, documents, videos, learning systems, mobile apps and other digital tools.
UTC is updating its IT0006 Accessibility policy to align with these federal standards. The UT System is taking a coordinated, systemwide approach involving the Office of General Counsel, Audit and Compliance, Technology Solutions, and campus subject matter experts to guide implementation and ensure compliance.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to begin identifying high-priority, public-facing digital content and review it for accessibility. A Central Hub page has been created with resources, guidance and ongoing updates as we prepare for the deadline.
Click here to learn more about ADA Title II compliance. Additional information and next steps will be shared by campus leadership as work progresses.
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Help reimagine the CARTA shuttle
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transit Authority (CARTA) operates a free shuttle that serves downtown, the North Shore, St. Elmo and the Incline Railway. The current route was developed in the early 1990s and, aside from the recent addition of the North Shore Express, has remained largely unchanged.
CARTA is now reimagining its shuttle routes and service and is seeking community input. Whether you are a daily shuttle user or have never hopped on for a ride, CARTA wants to hear from you. An interactive map allows participants to drag and drop pins to share ideas, thoughts and suggestions for improving shuttle service. A short survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, is also available through the map.
Community members are encouraged to take the survey and share it with friends, family and co-workers. This is an opportunity to help improve how the shuttle benefits residents, businesses and visitors across the community. Click here for the interactive map and survey.
Outstanding People of UTC
 Mason Adolf’s project, “How American Tax Systems Contribute to Economic Inequality,” won the Academic Affairs’ Choice First Place award at the December 2025 Writing Program Showcase. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Stewart. UTC has received national recognition for doing something most universities do, but rarely do this well. The Department of English’s Composition Program has been awarded a 2025–26 Conference on College Composition and Communication Writing Program Certificate of Excellence—the highest honor given by the CCCC, a constituent organization within the National Council of Teachers of English.
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 Vio Midgett (left) and Noah Wyatt Two students from the UTC Honors College earned national recognition at the 2025 National Collegiate Honors Council annual conference, including a Portz Scholar selection for the second consecutive year.
May 2025 graduate Vio Midgett, a Brock Scholar who earned degrees in history and international studies, was one of four students named a 2025 Portz Scholar—one of the most prestigious honors for undergraduates in honors programs across the country. UTC junior Noah Wyatt, a Brock Scholar majoring in physics, earned third place in the conference’s research poster competition, which included more than 200 presenters.
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- Jermaine Freeman, executive director of economic and workforce development, was a guest on Jed & JR Mornings to talk about his new role at UTC.
- UC Foundation Professor Rick Dierenfeldt joined Jed & JR Mornings to discuss the trial of Adrian Gonzales, an officer who responded to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Mark Your Calendar
 Landon Jones (photo credit: Sam Janicki/GoMocs.com) Upcoming Mocs home athletics calendar:
- Monday, Jan. 19: Chat With the Mocs, Miller’s Ale House (Hixson), 96.1 FM, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 21: Men’s Basketball vs. ETSU, McKenzie Arena, 7 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 23: Wrestling vs. Davidson, Maclellan Gym, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 25: Wrestling vs. Presbyterian, Maclellan Gym, 2 p.m.
- Monday, Jan. 26: Chat With the Mocs, Miller’s Ale House (Hixson), 96.1 FM, 7 p.m.
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The UTC campus community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement, and Community from noon-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, on the first floor of Lupton Hall.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to stop by to learn more about the Center and its offerings, connect with staff, participate in a make-and-take activity and enjoy lunch while celebrating this new hub for students. Brief remarks will take place near the beginning of the event. Attendees are welcome to stay awhile and help kick off a space designed to support student leadership, engagement and community at UTC.
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The Gary W. Rollins College of Business will hold virtual information sessions for the Master of Business Administration, MS Management, MS Data Analytics 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.
MSM Information Sessions
MSDA Information Sessions
MBA Information Sessions
MAcc Information Sessions
Business Analytics Certificate Information Sessions
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The Lookout Wild Film Festival (LWFF) is coming to the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall Jan. 15-18.
LWFF presents stories of diverse people who seek, explore and protect wild places. Across four days and seven screening blocks, the festival will showcase thrilling outdoor adventures, environmental stories and character-driven films from around the world. Whether you’re into climbing, paddling, mountain biking, conservation or simply discovering something new with friends, there’s a block of films for you. Click here to watch the 2026 festival trailer.
Students can purchase tickets and passes at LWFF.org or through the Fine Arts Center box office, open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students should use the code LWFF2026 for discounted pricing. Come for one block or make a weekend of it to see why Chattanooga’s own outdoor film festival has become a winter tradition.
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Career Connections invites on-campus employers to participate in a part-time job fair during Winter Welcome Week. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, in the University Center Tennessee Room.
The fair is an opportunity to meet students seeking part-time, on-campus positions and to bring new talent into your department. On-campus employers interested in participating can contact Community and Employer Relations Specialist Jillian Duke for registration details.
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Faculty, staff and students are invited to submit proposals for the UT Innovative Technologies Symposium, hosted by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Office of Innovative Technologies. The three-day symposium will take place March 24-26 at the Knoxville Convention Center and will focus on shared IT challenges, skills and emerging ideas across higher education in Tennessee.
The goal is to raise awareness and encourage proposal submissions by Friday, Jan. 16. Additional details, proposal information and a media toolkit are available here.
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Join a community conversation with UTC’s Interior Architecture and Design program connected to the exhibition “Ghosts in the Walls: Preservation as Memory.” The event will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Association for Visual Arts (AVA) on 30 Frazier Ave. Presented in partnership with Preserve Chattanooga, the event will feature a panel discussion with local preservationists Todd Morgan, Melissa Mortimer and Rachel Hunt.
The program will examine preservation efforts in Chattanooga, including successes and shortcomings of existing city ordinances, gaps in protections for historic structures and practical ways community members can engage in advocacy and influence local policy. The event is designed to inform, engage and encourage collective action to protect the city’s historic built environment.
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Scrappy’s Cupboard is open and operational for the spring semester and is now located in University Center Room 278. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. All UTC faculty, staff and students are welcome to visit. Patrons may use Scrappy’s Cupboard once per month, no questions asked.
Scrappy’s Markets also return this spring. The next market will take place 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, on the second floor of the University Center. All spring markets will be held 2-4 p.m. in the University Center on the following dates:
- Tuesday, Jan. 27
- Wednesday, Feb. 11
- Tuesday, Feb. 24
- Wednesday, March 11
- Tuesday, March 24
- Wednesday, April 8
- Tuesday, April 21
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Join an Orientation Leader interest meeting to learn more about the role, responsibilities and impact you can make in welcoming new students to campus. This meeting is a great opportunity to ask questions and find out if the position is right for you.
- 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Admissions Tour Room (2nd floor of the University Center)
- 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, Admissions Tour Room (2nd floor of the University Center)
- 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, Zoom
If you are interested but unable to attend any of these interest meetings, please email Katelynn Buchanan.
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The Journey Health Foundation Research Center will host a Data Summit from 9:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Wolford Family Athletic Center.
The event will bring together faculty, students, community organization leaders and business partners to explore how data can help communities better understand and respond to everyday factors that influence health and well-being across Chattanooga and the surrounding region. Registration is available here.
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The Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise will host Steve Forbes for a lecture titled “How Free Enterprise, Not Government, Made America Great” at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, in the UTC Fine Arts Center.
Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, will explore the principles of economic freedom through the lens of some of the country’s most influential entrepreneurs. Registration information is available here.
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“Drawing the Future from the Past,” an exhibition highlighting student work from UTC’s Interior Architecture and Design program, will be on view through Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Landis Education Gallery (30 Frazier Ave.).
The exhibition features projects from a two-semester capstone sequence in which students research historically significant buildings and develop adaptive reuse proposals informed by architectural, cultural and social context. Students collaborate with professional mentors, architects, historians, code officials and building owners, as well as community partner Preserve Chattanooga, to create design solutions that support preservation advocacy and potential community revitalization.
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The Institute for Contemporary Art presents “The Cupola Project,” an exhibition on view through Friday, March 6. Initiated in 2023 by artist and professor Martijn Van Wagtendonk as a sculpture assignment at the University of Georgia’s Lamar Dodd School of Art, the project has grown to engage more than 45 students and faculty from diverse disciplines.
Inspired by Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi, “The Cupola Project” integrates engineering, science, language, music, philosophy and kinetic sculpture into a large-scale interactive structure. Constructed with mortise-and-tenon joints, the work has continued to evolve over recent years. Designed with portability in mind, Cupola functions like a mobile fairground attraction, easily assembled and disassembled to travel and engage audiences.
The ICA is free and open to the public from noon-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Campus Updates
The University’s new space reservation management program, 25Live, is officially live. You’ll find a link to 25Live at reservations.utc.edu.
If you have questions about how to submit a request, check out the Knowledge Base article. We also encourage you to attend a 25Live training session today (Jan. 13) from 3-4 p.m. via Zoom.
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Faculty are invited to join the Faculty Writing Collective, which meets from 9:30 a.m.-noon on Fridays during the academic year in the UTC Library. This is a writing accountability group that includes a brief goal setting exercise, two hours of quiet writing time and a check-in at the end of the session.
The UTC Faculty Writing Collective’s goal is to support faculty who face structural, cultural and institutional barriers to writing by fostering a supportive community grounded in accountability, care and equity. Faculty are encouraged to carve out dedicated writing or research time this Friday and enjoy a pastry while they work. To join the email list, contact Emma McDonell.
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UTC Campus Recreation has launched the Adventure Awaits Scholarship Fund to expand access to Mocs Adventure Camp, one of the University’s youth summer programs. The fund will provide scholarship support for children who may not otherwise be able to attend the camp due to financial barriers, with a goal of supporting 25 campers this year.
Donations of any amount help make camp accessible to more families. As a thank you, the first 50 donors who give $50 or more will receive a limited-edition “This Shirt Did Some Good” T-shirt. Those whose children have previously attended Mocs Adventure Camp are also invited to share their camp stories to help highlight the program’s impact.
To learn more, make a gift or share a story, visit the Adventure Awaits Scholarship Fund page. Questions can be directed to MocsAdventureCamp@utc.edu.
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UTC Veteran and Military Affairs has partnered with BJ’s Wholesale Club in Hixson to support the Holiday for Heroes campaign. The goal is to reach 200 memberships and raise funds for veteran and military-connected students as part of the Holiday for Heroes event series.
Participants can receive a discounted BJ’s membership while giving back to UTC Veteran and Military Affairs. To join, scan the QR code or click the flyer link, or call 800-313-8887 and use group code 827042 to ensure your sign-up counts toward UTC’s campaign.
Sign up here by Friday, Jan. 30, to secure pre-club opening discounts. Spread the word—every membership helps support our veterans.
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The UT Alliance of Women Philanthropists is accepting applications from UT faculty, staff, departments and student organizations for the 2026-27 Giving Circle Grants Cycle to support projects that challenge conventional approaches and inspire new solutions to pressing needs.
Proposals may request support for a new project or program that benefits the campus or an expansion of an existing program. Grant requests may range from $2,500–$25,000 and may not include general operating expenses, including faculty salaries. Applications include a cover sheet, a two-page proposal narrative and a one-page detailed budget. Full instructions and a list of past recipients are available on the Circle of Giving website.
Those planning to apply should notify Todd Moore-Doman by Tuesday, Feb. 3, so ORSP can assist with budget preparation and application materials. Proposals must be submitted for routing in Cayuse SP by Friday, Feb. 20, to be eligible for consideration. ORSP will submit final approved proposals to AWP by Friday, Feb. 27, with awards expected to be announced by Monday, March 30.
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The Office of Research Integrity has announced a new go-live date for DASH Research IRB: Monday, Feb. 16. Below are key deadlines to support the transition to the new submission system.
- Monday, Jan. 19: The IRB recommends returning any pending revisions by this date to allow adequate review time.
- Tuesday, Jan. 27: Only IRB submissions that are fully approved by 5 p.m. will be moved into DASH Research IRB. Any submissions not approved by that time must be resubmitted in the new system after go-live.
- Monday, Feb. 16: All new IRB applications must be submitted through the DASH Research IRB module.
For questions or assistance, contact Baley Whary at irb@utc.edu or 423-425-5867.
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Free short-term physical therapy services are available to UTC students, faculty and staff through the PT Pro Bono Clinic, led by physical therapy faculty and doctoral students. The clinic provides evaluations and treatment for a range of concerns, from ankle sprains to lingering back pain.
The clinic is located in University Health Services in Maclellan Gym and is open 8 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 423-425-2266. Questions can be directed to ptclinic@utc.edu.
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The National Science Foundation Noyce Track 2 fellowship project is accepting applications from STEM-degreed professionals to prepare to teach secondary mathematics and science through the Master of Education degree program. The 2026-2027 cohort will begin coursework in May 2026. Please contact Deborah McAllister or click this link for project details.
UTC Newsroom
UTC has officially launched the College of Nursing, elevating one of the University’s longest-standing and most impactful academic programs to college status. The designation took effect Jan. 1.
The launch follows approvals by the UT Board of Trustees and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and formalizes the role nursing plays at UTC and across the region’s health care workforce. With nearly 1,000 students enrolled across undergraduate and doctoral programs, the College of Nursing becomes UTC’s fifth academic college. Dr. Chris Smith, who has led the nursing program since 2014, serves as the inaugural dean.
Administratively, the transition reflects a structure that has long functioned at a college scale. Dr. Brooke Epperson has been named associate dean and undergraduate program director, and Dr. Christi Denton has been named assistant dean for graduate education while continuing as program director for the adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program. Existing program coordinators have been retitled as program directors to align with national norms for colleges of nursing.
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The City of Chattanooga and the UTC Research Institute (UTCRI) have been awarded $1,063,393 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program to support a new Roadway Safety Design Technology Platform.
The funding will support data-driven work that complements the city’s existing Comprehensive Safety Action Plan by expanding how roadway safety conditions are evaluated across Chattanooga, with technical leadership provided by UTCRI’s Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP). By combining intersection-level data with continuous roadway imagery along high-risk corridors, the project will help the city look beyond individual intersections and better understand safety conditions and emerging risks.
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 Tish Hubbard Associate Director for Student Outreach and Support (SOS) Tish Hubbard has been working with college students since her own undergraduate days as a resident assistant. Her background is in clinical mental health counseling and higher education, where she helps students navigate whatever concerns they’re facing—whether that’s a crisis, a major life transition or a basic needs challenge. Currently located in Room 278 of the University Center, Hubbard wants students to know that office doors are always open.
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Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
- Sisters Amber Honea and Alexis Murray have found their place helping others. The UTC alums are working as nurses for their respective hospitals in Chattanooga. Honea, who received a BSN from UTC in 2014 and an MSN in 2021, is an acute care nurse practitioner with the pulmonology and critical care department at Erlanger Hospital. Murray, who earned a BSN in 2019, is currently enrolled in the DNP program and is on pace to graduate in spring 2026. She works at CHI Memorial Hospital as an ICU floating nurse.
- The UTC club sports program is a great way for students to get involved in a team setting while also getting exercise and creating bonds with other students.
WUTC
 Craig Havighurst Craig Havighurst, editorial director of WMOT—Middle Tennessee State University’s public radio station—joined an episode of WUTC’s “Scenic Roots” to discuss his latest book, “Musicality for Modern Humans: How to Listen Like an Artist.”
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