May 27-June 2, 2025

Updates and news for the week of May 27-June 2, 2025

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

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Highlights

UTC Awarded $500K From State of Tennessee To Build the Future of Traffic Safety and Smart Streets

Several members of DENSO’s leadership team, including CEO of DENSO North America Tomoyuki Arakawa (sixth from left), recently met with personnel from the UTC Research Institute and UTC executives during a visit to campus. Photo courtesy of UTC Research Institute.

The UTC Institute’s (UTCRI) Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP) has been awarded $500,000 through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s (TNECD) Transportation Network Growth Opportunity (TNGO). This funding will support the development and deployment of two systems that will continue to transform Chattanooga’s approaches to safety and smart mobility.

One project, in collaboration with DENSO, will use artificial intelligence to predict potential traffic collisions and detect accidents the moment they occur. The second project, developed with LG CNS, will bring the nation’s first smart crosswalk system to Chattanooga, using real-time sensors and AI to extend signal times and improve visibility for pedestrians, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

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UTC HOSTS TCPRA CONFERENCE

UTC Executive Video Producer Mike Andrews, left, student videographer Will McCutcheon and TCPRA President Bobbie Maynard

The UTC Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM) wrapped up two days of hosting the Tennessee College Public Relations Association’s (TCPRA) annual conference last Friday. Held at The Westin Chattanooga, the event drew higher education professionals from across the state.

UTC took home a bronze award in the Video Advertisement category for its recent Affordability Ad that ran throughout the academic year on social media and YouTube channels. It is the first time UTC has earned an honor from this organization.

OCM student videographer and communication major Will McCutcheon was awarded the $500 TCPRA Scholarship at the conference. He is a rising junior from Chickamauga, Georgia.

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Introducing the Moc’s Golden Feather Award

Nominations for the inaugural cycle of the Moc’s Golden Feather Award are open until Friday, May 30.

Faculty, staff, students and community partners are encouraged to submit a nomination for the Moc’s Golden Feather Award. Two staff members will be selected for the award and announced in June, August, October, December, February and April each year.

The award will honor staff who demonstrate exceptional performance, creativity and innovation, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative and welcoming campus culture. This award celebrates both teamwork and the individual contributions that uplift our community.

Outstanding People of UTC

Mechatronics major Austin McDade, left, Dr. Max Jordon and Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu demonstrate the pneumatically powered balance board.

Dr. Erkan Kaplanoglu, who heads the Department of Engineering Management and Technology at UTC, has secured his first U.S. design patent for a pneumatically powered balance board designed to support patients with chronic lower back pain or those recovering from injury or surgery.

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Several members of the UTC Police Department are receiving leadership development opportunities through competitive regional and national programs.

• Sgt. John West has been accepted into the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation State Academy Leadership Development Experience, a three-week in-residence program focused on growing leadership skills.
• Deputy Chief Matthew Holzmacher, Lt. Nathan Hartwig and Sgt. Craig Haney will attend the Southeast Leadership Academy, a five-week program held on the UTC campus for mid-level and executive law enforcement leaders.
• Sgt. Ed Buckman has also received confirmation of his invitation to attend the FBI National Academy in spring 2026, a prestigious 10-week program in Quantico, Virginia.

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Check out these Mocs in the news:

• Emily Maddux, a lecturer in the Master of Public Health program, joined an episode of Jed & JR Mornings to discuss health and nutrition.
• UC Foundation Professor Tim Gaudin was mentioned in a Florida Museum article highlighting his sloth research.
• Center for Regional Economic Research Director Howard Wall spoke to NewsChannel 9 about wage increases in Tennessee.
• A Local 3 News segment on the Gary W. Rollins College of Business featured Associate Dean Kathleen Wheatley.
• Director Mina Sartipi and Deputy Director Austin Harris in UTC’s Center for Urban Informatics spoke to the Times Free Press about UTC’s TNGO grant.

Mark Your Calendar

The Center for Wellbeing is offering a series of trainings and discussions for faculty and staff this summer. If interested, please sign up here. The Center is happy to schedule trainings for specific teams or departments at other times throughout the year. Reach out to Megan McKnight with questions or to request a training.

• Today (May 27): Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone, University Center Room 350, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, June 12: QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer and Suicide Prevention Using the C-SSRS, University Center Room 350, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 12: Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone, Zoom, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 13: Recovery Allyship: How to Support Students Who Are Struggling or Have Struggled with Substance Use, University Center Room 350, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch will be provided)
• Friday, June 20: Mental Health First Aid, University Center Room 350, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (lunch will be provided)
• Tuesday, July 1: Recovery Allyship: How to Support Students Who Are Struggling or Have Struggled with Substance Use, Zoom, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 10: Mental Health First Aid, University Center Room 350, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. both days
• Wednesday, July 9: Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone, University Center Room 350, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 11: Sleep Matters: Improving Sleep Among Employees and Students, Zoom, 11 a.m.-noon
• Wednesday, July 16: QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer and Suicide Prevention Using the C-SSRS, University Center Room 350, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 23: Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Prioritizing Wellness Through the Semester Discussion, University Center Room 350, 11 a.m.-noon
• Thursday, July 31: Recovery Allyship: How to Support Students Who Are Struggling or Have Struggled with Substance Use, Zoom, noon-2 p.m.

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Richard Winham

After nearly four decades of shaping the sound and soul of public radio in Chattanooga, WUTC-FM host Richard Winham will retire this summer

To honor his extraordinary legacy, WUTC will host a public benefit concert from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, at Barrelhouse Ballroom, located at 1501 Long St. in downtown Chattanooga. The all-ages, family-friendly event will feature performances by local folk, blues and bluegrass artists, with a limited pre-show meet-and-greet with artists and station staff from noon to 12:45 p.m. 

The benefit concert is also a fundraising event, with proceeds helping sustain WUTC’s ongoing mission to support music, arts and cultural programming in the Tennessee Valley—work inspired by Winham’s legacy. Tickets can be purchased here.

Campus Updates

The testing center is looking for individuals interested in helping with the administration of the ACT on UTC’s campus. This is a paid position, and proctors and room supervisors are needed for the 2025-26 school year. If you are interested in working—for one session or both—please email Cathy Jackson.

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Join open play sand volleyball at the Sports Complex at noon on Mondays from June 2-23. Faculty and staff are welcome to drop in as individuals or with a team—no registration required.

Intramural pickleball registration remains open. Games will take place at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 1-31 at the ARC. Registration closes at noon on Friday, June 27. All skill levels welcome. Register here.

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Registration is open for 2025 Chattanooga Volleyball Camps, hosted by Director of Volleyball Julie Torbett Thomas and the Mocs volleyball staff. Camps are designed for athletes of all skill levels to build volleyball fundamentals, receive individualized instruction and have fun.

• Sunday, June 15: Father/Daughter Clinic, 2-4 p.m., $95 per pair
• June 16-17 or July 14-15: Little Mocs (ages 5–10), 9 a.m.-noon, $63.50
• June 16-17 or July 14-15: Middle School Camp, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $232.50
• June 16 or July 14: High School Clinic, 6-9 p.m., $105.50

All camps are open to any and all entrants, limited only by number, age, grade level or gender. Staff receive a $10 discount. Click here for details and registration.

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The University is implementing a new electronic platform for IRB submissions, DASH Research IRB. In preparation for the transition from our current email submission system to DASH Research IRB, we want to inform you of some important upcoming dates. Please read carefully and make plans for your research submissions accordingly. Note that training will be provided by the UTC Office of Research Integrity so you can familiarize yourself with DASH Research IRB. Here is what you need to know now:

• Only fully approved projects will be moved into the new system. Any submissions that are not approved by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 27, will not be moved to DASH Research IRB and will need to be re-submitted in DASH Research IRB after go-live on Monday, July 14. 
• To allow time for the IRB to process and approve new applications by Friday, June 27, no NEW IRB submissions (including change requests and annual reviews) will be accepted between Wednesday, June 16, and Monday, July 14.
• Please check on any outstanding IRB submissions now to see if you have any pending submissions that need to be addressed prior to this date. We recommend sending any pending submissions back to the IRB by no later than Monday, June 16, to ensure the board has time to process them.
• If you have a study that has an expiration date in June or July that you wish to continue past that end date, the IRB strongly recommends that you submit a Form B, Request for Changes, by Saturday, May 31, to avoid any issues with getting approval before the study expires.
• Monday, July 14, is the scheduled go-live date for DASH Research IRB: All new IRB applications will be submitted through this module.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Baley Whary or call 423-425-5867 for assistance.

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The CEACSE Research Innovation and Strategic Expansion (RISE) program is now accepting proposals for early-stage, high-potential research projects that strengthen UTC’s Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP) and the Quantum Center.

Selected projects may receive up to $70,000 for the 2026 calendar year, supporting one month of summer salary for faculty or research staff, full-year PhD student support and additional research expenses.

• Deadline: Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 15, to both Hannah Archer and Claudia Colpo.

• Eligibility: Lead PIs must be faculty, research faculty or postdocs at a UT System institution. If not UTC-based, the PI must advise a UTC PhD student supported by the project.

• Project Period: Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2026.

For full details and submission guidelines, view the Request for Proposals (RFP). Questions may be directed to Hannah Archer.

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Faculty and staff, are you passionate about student well-being and fostering a culture of wellness on your campus or with partners across the UT System? The new Wellness Mini Grants Program is here to support your innovative ideas.

The program offers up to ten $5,000 grants for faculty and staff to pilot projects that focus on the eight SAMHSA-defined wellness dimensions, promote collaboration across and between campuses, and create scalable, measurable student wellness innovations.

Projects that are measurable, collaborative and have a role for a student will be prioritized. Click here to learn more and apply. The application is just a short, three-page PDF and is due Friday, Aug. 1. For questions or concerns contact the UT Chief Wellness Officer.

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Operation Move In (OMI) 2025 is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 13-14, in first-year residential spaces across campus. This marks a return to a campus-wide collaboration to welcome UTC’s newest Mocs this fall.

OMI is an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and organizations to come together and create a warm, supportive environment for incoming students and their families. A campus-wide committee is being formed to coordinate the two-day event. Volunteer roles will include unloading, parking, traffic flow, greeting and more. There will be follow-up communication to request volunteers for OMI.

For more information, contact OMI committee chair Jason Harville.

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UTC’s Master of Public Health program, specializing in Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, is still accepting applications. The program offers flexible full-time and part-time options with evening, hybrid and online classes. No GRE or prerequisite courses are required, and students from all academic backgrounds are welcome.

To learn more or apply, visit utc.edu/mph. For questions, contact Emma Sampson or call 423-425-4196.

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The Center for Wellbeing launched its Mental Health Ally training program for faculty and staff to recognize employees on campus who are engaging and learning how to best support our students’ mental health. Trainings included in the Mental Health Ally program are QPR (one hour), Suicide Prevention Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (one hour), Psychological First Aid (one hour) and Mental Health First Aid (eight hours). Complete trainings and receive recognition on campus for your dedication to improving outcomes for students.

Recognition tiers:

• Certificate of completion: Every training
• Mental health ally sticker to display: Complete QPR, Suicide Prevention Using the C-SSRS, and Psychological First Aid
• Mental health ally sweatshirt: Complete Mental Health First Aid
• Mental health ally recognition on Center for Wellbeing website and Campus Newsletter: Complete all four trainings

If you have questions about this program, please reach out to Amy Kyriakidis or Megan McKnight.

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Starting in July, rising second to sixth graders in the Challenger Exploration Camp will have the opportunity to participate in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) challenges, rocket launches and explorations of space and Earth. Each day, campers can also go on excursions to locations such as the Chattanooga Zoo, the UTC Aquatic and Recreation Center, the Clarence T. Jones Observatory and the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

To learn more about the Challenger STEM Learning Center and to access a link to the Challenger Exploration Camp, visit this link.

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The UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science will host the Summer Algebra Enrichment Program for rising 8th through 11th graders from July 7-18 at the CECS building (735 Vine St.). The program runs from 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. each day and the cost is $75 per student.

This two-week experience is designed to strengthen algebra skills and introduce students to career pathways in engineering, computer science and other STEM fields. The program includes Algebra 1 instruction led by experienced educators, mentoring sessions with UTC students and hands-on career exploration activities. Space is limited to 30 participants and registration is required.

For more information or to register, click here or contact CECS Outreach Coordinator Alex Coker.

UTC Newsroom

Johanna Gabriela Castillo Pineda

Johanna Gabriela Castillo Pineda is a Spanish teacher at East Brainerd Elementary School and the 2025 recipient of UTC’s Job-Embedded Award—an honor given to a student in UTC’s Job-Embedded licensure program who exemplifies commitment, growth and the spirit of teaching.

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From left: Tennessee Golden Press Card Award winners Trevor Jolley, Lexi Foley, Caleb McCool, Megan Cooper, Maleah Holder and Mallori Crocker.

Seven students from the UTC Department of Communication were honored with a school record-breaking nine total awards in the 2024 Tennessee Golden Press Card Awards competition.

One of the winners, rising junior Mallori Crocker, earned first place in Best Continuing Coverage for her reporting on the 2024 presidential election for The University Echo.

The other winners are all recent UTC graduates whose 2024 projects were eligible under contest rules:

• Trevor Jolley, sports editor for The University Echo, won first place in Sports Beat Reporting, Sports Reporting, and Best Sports Photography.
• Lexi Foley, former editor-in-chief of Rising Rock and sports editor for The University Echo, won first place in Best Feature Story for “Chain Breakers.”
• Connor Spelta received first place in Best News Coverage for his Rising Rock story “Dirty Dirt.”
• Megan Cooper won first place in Podcasting for her audio production work on a series of Rising Rock packages.
• Caleb McCool received first place in Best News Photography for his Rising Rock coverage of the Henagar, Alabama, tornado.
• Maleah Holder earned second place in Best News Coverage for her Rising Rock story “Sun-Less Soiree,” part of a 2024 solar eclipse series.

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Each summer, UTC opens its campus to the community through a wide range of summer camps designed for K–12 students. From science and sports to leadership and college prep, UTC hosts hands-on programs that help kids stay engaged while school is out—and give families access to university-level experiences close to home.

WUTC

Dr. Robert Dooley

Ray Bassett sat down with Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley as part of the “Chatting with the Chancellor” series on WUTC’s “Scenic Roots.” The two discussed UTC’s next chancellor, Max Fuller’s gift and more.