June 23-29, 2026
Updates and news for the week of June 23-29, 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
SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS FOR WEEKS OF WELCOME 2026
The goal for Weeks of Welcome 2026 is to offer a calendar full of fun and engaging events that welcome our students to the start of a new semester, and your help is needed.
If you are hosting an event or program during the first two weeks of classes (Aug. 23-Sept. 5), please submit your event to the official calendar found on the Weeks of Welcome webpage. Click here to access the event submission form. The priority deadline to submit events for the Weeks of Welcome calendar is Friday, July 17. The final deadline is Friday, Aug. 7.
More information about submitting an event for the Weeks of Welcome calendar can be found here. Contact Laura Petrus with any questions.
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Mocs Football Schedule Announced
 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.
- 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.
Outstanding People of UTC
 Dr. Marisa Colston UTC Professor of Graduate Athletic Training and Exercise and Health Sciences Marisa Colston has received the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, one of the organization’s highest honors.
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 Dr. Hill Craddock stands among American chestnut tree saplings in the Fortwood Street Greenhouse. The first American chestnut tree Dr. Hill Craddock ever saw was one he grew himself. He was about 15 years old, working out of a small greenhouse his father built beside their home. A neighbor gave him a handful of chestnut seeds and suggested Craddock try growing them.
More than four decades later, Craddock, now a UC Foundation Robert M. Davenport Professor of Biology at UTC, is part of a team whose work was published in Science, one of the world’s leading scientific journals.
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 Dr. Jonathan McNair The North/South Chamber Orchestra performed Ruth S. Holmberg Professor of American Music Jonathan McNair’s composition, “These Three,” at Christ & St. Stephen’s Church in New York City as part of its On The Move! program. The piece was commissioned in memory of Christian Sinclair Rushing, an urban designer whose love for Chattanooga helped shape downtown development. Click here to watch the performance.
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 Dr. Edward Buckman UTC Police Department Sgt. Edward Buckman recently graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, a professional development program for law enforcement leaders.
Since its founding in 1935, the FBI National Academy has graduated more than 55,000 law enforcement professionals from across the United States and around the world. The 10-week residential program provides advanced training in leadership, intelligence theory, terrorism and extremist mindsets, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, forensic science and management.
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Executive Director of the UTC Research Institute Mina Sartipi joined an episode of My Morning Cup to discuss her role and UTC’s research initiatives.
- The launch of the Biomechatronics in Healthcare Initiative was featured by TechNation.
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, 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.
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The Staff Senate Curiosity Committee invites faculty and staff to the Summer Staff Conference, a day dedicated to community, learning and professional growth. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the work taking place across campus and explore strategies for navigating the workplace, regardless of office or division.
Those interested in attending can complete the RSVP form by Thursday, July 16. Click here to register.
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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.
Welcome to UTC
The following employees joined UTC in May:
- Catherine Malin – Business Manager, Honors College
- Katie Louise Allen – Director of Football Operations, Men’s Football
- Sydney Johnson – Assistant Coach, Women’s Basketball
- Andres Angel – Full Stack Engineer, UTC Research Institute
- Cheri Green – Director, Student Support Services
- Kailey Agoo – Digital Content Specialist, Communications and Marketing
- Riby Stephens – Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions, Athletics Marketing and Promotions
- Stephen Prado Deleon – Heavy-Duty R/A Mechanic, Remodel Renovations
- Alexandra Solesbee – Administrative Specialist, LEAD
- Joseph Newman – Assistant Coach, Men’s Football
- Thomas Kiely – Assistant Basketball Coach, Men’s Basketball
- Logan Dahms – Assistant Basketball Coach, Men’s Basketball
- Nitika Gresham – Enrollment Counselor, Mocs One Center
- Donna Victoria Blain – Administrative Associate III, Civil Engineering
- King William Mason – Floor Technician, Building Services
- Juan Manuel Velez – Campus Safety Officer, Police Emergency Services
- Caleb William Haid – Housing Security Officer, Security Services
- Dominique Harris – Assistant Teacher, Children’s Center Brown Academy
- Jonathan M. Gladney – Assistant Director of Guest Services and Housing Conduct, Residence Life
- Kelly-Ann Walker – Manager of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management
Campus Updates
The UTC Library is making it easier for students, faculty and staff to explore all the city has to offer.
Through the Chattanooga Passport program, members of the UTC community can check out passes to some of the area’s most popular attractions, including the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo, Ruby Falls, Chattanooga Theatre Centre and Chattanooga Football Club.
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UTC is launching 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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Due to nearby construction, the Oak Street entrance to Lot 26A is closed and several parking spaces near that entrance have been temporarily fenced off. The closure is expected to remain in place through Aug. 1.
Faculty, staff and students should use the McCallie Avenue entrance to access Lot 26A during this time. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time when traveling to campus.
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Last year, UTC faculty and staff stepped into the Esports Complex to compete, connect and enjoy some friendly competition. This summer, we’re bringing the tournament back. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer, a casual player or simply looking for a fun way to engage with colleagues, we’d love to have you join us.
Help us choose this year’s featured game by completing our quick survey. The game receiving the most votes will be featured in our faculty and staff tournament later this summer. We’ll follow up with survey participants once registration opens and event details are finalized.
The Esports Complex is usually reserved for our students, but this is your chance to claim a seat, test your skills and see who earns campus bragging rights.
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If someone experiences an opioid overdose on UTC’s campus, University leaders want a life-saving resource nearby.
This spring, UTC completed the installation of 52 ONEbox naloxone stations across campus, placing them in buildings alongside other emergency equipment such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
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Starting this summer, UTC will begin a modernization project for campus telephone services. As part of this initiative, we will be transitioning from Avaya to RingCentral to provide an improved and more modern telecommunications experience across campus.
The migration will take place in phases beginning this summer, one building at a time. IT will communicate directly with department leadership before any work begins within their area, to provide additional details, timelines, and expectations for that phase of the transition. Visit the RingCentral project page for the latest information.
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Please be advised that Vine Street, between Palmetto Street and the University Greenway, will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic during Freshman Orientation sessions on the following dates and times:
- 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, through 5 p.m. Friday, June 26
- 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, through 5 p.m. Friday, July 17
- 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, through 5 p.m. Thursday, July 30
Parking Lots 10, 11 and 12 will remain open. Access to these lots will be available through the detour route via Parking Lot 15. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the UTC Department of Public Safety at (423) 425-4357 or dps@utc.edu.
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The Manage My Housing portal is open now until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, for students to change their fall 2026 residential meal plan. Meal plan eligibility is based on earned credit hours. If your spring 2026 or summer 2026 credits will change your student classification, please wait until final grades are submitted before you attempt to make a change.
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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Operation Move In (OMI) 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, 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.
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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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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. Please contact Deborah McAllister or click this link for project details.
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UTC Choruses has openings for tenor and bass singers for the upcoming academic year, with scholarship opportunities available for select positions.
Openings are available in the UTC Chamber Singers and Orpheus Chorale. The Chamber Singers is an advanced, auditioned ensemble with a history of regional, national and international touring. Auditions take approximately 10 minutes and include a brief vocal selection, range check and sight-reading. Students interested in auditioning can contact Kevin Ford to schedule a time.
Students can also join Chattanooga Singers (MUS 0020) or Orpheus Chorale (MUS 0027), both of which are open to all experience levels and do not require an audition. All ensembles are offered for one credit or zero credit, allowing flexibility for students with varying course loads.
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Two new Oracle Fusion Data Intelligence (FDI) reporting resources are now available in DASH, offering enhanced tools for reviewing payroll and labor data. Step-by-step guidance is available through the job aid links, and users can access the dashboards via the FDI Landing Page.
The Payroll Balances – Department Dashboard (roadmap ID #54) allows departments to review and verify payroll totals, pay composition and potential outliers. Replacing the IRIS Check Register, the dashboard provides current information to help identify issues early, prevent errors from carrying forward and reduce the risk of unexpected budget impacts. A brief review after each payroll run is recommended to better understand key payroll drivers, including regular pay, overtime and other variances. Access to this dashboard is limited to users with Human Resources roles.
The Labor Encumbrance Dashboard (roadmap ID #13) provides compensation distribution and encumbrance amounts for compensation, fringe and F&A. The dashboard includes three levels of detail—Department, Project and Person—for streamlined navigation and reporting.
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An Academic Meeting Professionals Conference will take place Aug. 27-28 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, offering professional development and networking opportunities for meeting and event planners across the University of Tennessee System.
Designed specifically for UT employees, the conference features sessions focused on event planning, logistics, budgeting, communication, vendor management and guest experience. Attendees will hear from industry professionals, including Dollywood experts, and have the opportunity to connect with UT colleagues and a range of vendors. Click here to register.
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UTC is gearing up for a summer full of camps for local K-12 students, with options ranging from quantum computing to sports clinics. Designed to keep students active and engaged, camps are led by UTC faculty, staff and athletics programs and offer opportunities for elementary, middle and high school students to explore new interests and sharpen skills.
- Mocs Adventure Camp (K-8): Weekly sessions through July 31; activities include climbing, swimming, sports and games; $320 per week.
- Challenger Exploration Camp (rising 3rd-6th graders): July 6-31; space missions, coding, robotics, rocket launches and local excursions; $290.50 per week.
- Chattanooga Volleyball Camps (various ages): July sessions; costs vary.
- Men’s Basketball Camp (ages 7-17): July 20-23; $310.
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The Counseling Center has partnered with Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center to offer extended services on the UTC campus. Parkridge at UTC is open from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and offers individual therapy, group therapy and intensive outpatient services for students, faculty and staff.
The Parkridge Mental Health Therapy Center is located off the UC Foundation Apartments courtyard (Suite 5217). To schedule an initial appointment, call 423-468-5213. Students who are already receiving services through the UTC Counseling Center are encouraged to speak with their provider about whether Parkridge at UTC is a good fit for their needs.
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UT Promise is a last-dollar scholarship that covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Tennessee residents at UTC and includes required mentoring and community service. Student Success Programs has received requests from UT Promise students for mentors to help support them during their time at UTC, with students required to meet with a mentor at least once per semester for guidance, questions and goal-focused encouragement. Faculty and staff can complete the interest form or contact Student Success Programs with questions, and additional information will be shared with those who express interest.
UTC Newsroom
 Dr. Max Jordon (sitting with laptop computer), Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu and mechatronics major Austin McDade demonstrate a pneumatically powered balance board. The UTC Research Institute is launching the Biomechatronics in Healthcare Initiative, a cross-campus research effort designed to organize and expand collaborative work in engineering, computer science and healthcare.
The initiative brings together more than 10 faculty members from four colleges, making it one of UTC’s most multidisciplinary research efforts. Led by Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu, Department Head and Professor of Engineering Management and Technology and Director of the Biomechatronic and Assistive Technology Lab, the initiative is designed to connect technical innovation with clinical and human-performance expertise to address emerging challenges in healthcare.
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 From left: Elise Hart, Assistant Professor of Practice Savannah Kelley, Yayla Blodgett-White and Lecturer Katie Parker. When students in the UTC accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program put on virtual reality headsets this summer, they are stepping into a new kind of clinical learning.
Thanks to a High Impact Practices Grant from the UTC Walker Center for Teaching and Learning, ABSN students are piloting virtual reality simulation in two College of Nursing clinical courses focused on introducing immersive scenarios in maternal-newborn and pediatric care.
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 Dr. Saeid Golkar (left) and Dr. Annie Tracy Samuel At UTC, two faculty members are using their expertise to educate the public and advise policymakers on a complex and evolving conflict in the Middle East.
For Dr. Saeid Golkar and Dr. Annie Tracy Samuel, the region isn’t a random part of the globe; both have deep ties to it and see public scholarship as part of their responsibility.
WUTC
 Ben Greenwell (left) and Dr. Mark Johnson Dr. Mark Johnson, a UTC professor of history, recently joined WUTC’s “Scenic Roots” to discuss his new book, “American Bacon: The History of a Food Phenomenon,” published by the University of Georgia Press. Johnson spoke with Ben Greenwell, a student intern for WUTC, about the history and cultural significance of one of America’s most iconic foods.
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