November 11-17, 2025
Updates and news for the week of November 11-17, 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.
Highlights
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Outstanding People of UTC
 Charlie Mix (left) and Nyssa Hunt to UTC faculty and staff who received awards or submitted proposals for sponsored programs in October. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs announced that faculty and staff attracted $257,000 in external grant and contract awards during the month and submitted proposals for the potential to generate over $5,402,724 in external funding, if awarded.
Among those receiving awards in October were Charlie Mix and Nyssa Hunt in the Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science.
- Mix, in collaboration with the Chattanooga Area Southern Offroad Bike Association (SORBA), received $7,500 from the Lyndhurst Foundation for the project titled “SORBA Chattanooga Mountain Biking Trail Guide Cartography.”
- Mix and Hunt, in collaboration with the Lula Lake Land Trust, received $8,827 from the Land Trust Alliance for the project titled “Lula Lake Land Trust Conservation Priority Modeling.”
- Mix and Hunt received $70,000 from Skytec, LLC for the project titled “TN Blueways Mapping and Spatial Analysis.”
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Three UTC teams have been awarded UT Wellness Mini Grants as part of a University of Tennessee System initiative supporting student well-being and success. The UT System awarded $50,000 in total to 10 projects across all campuses, with UTC receiving three of the grants.
- Digital Wellness and Boundaries Bootcamp
Office of Title IX Compliance; Principal Investigators: Anitra Barrett, Sara Peters, Emily Rosenquist.
Students will create online modules promoting healthy digital boundaries, consent and communication.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group Intervention Program for High-Risk Students
UTC Counseling Center; Principal Investigators: Corinne Webster, Carisha Northcutt.
This program offers therapy groups for students struggling with chronic stress or suicidal thoughts.
- Cultivating Resilience in Undergraduate Nursing Students
School of Nursing; Principal Investigators: Suzanne Ridge, Jason Peter.
The project builds peer resilience and self-care training through a “train-the-trainer” model.
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Check out these Mocs in the news:
- UC Foundation Professor Joey Shaw participated in a Q&A about his plant research for a Highlands Biological Station article.
- An American Talk article about the Bering Land Bridge featured UC Foundation Assistant Professor Morgan Smith.
- Center for Regional Economic Research Director Howard Wall spoke to the Times Free Press about new apartments in Chattanooga and their effect on the local economy.
- Adolph S. Ochs Professor of Government Michelle Deardorff joined an episode of Jed & JR Mornings to discuss the nation’s first Election Day since Trump’s return to the White House.
Mark Your Calendar
 Photo credit: Ray Soldano/GoMocs.com This week’s Mocs home athletics calendar:
- Friday, Nov. 14: Volleyball vs. The Citadel, Maclellan Gym, 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 15: Volleyball vs. Furman, Maclellan Gym, 6 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 16: Women’s Basketball vs. UAB, McKenzie Arena, 2 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 17: Chat With the Mocs, Miller’s Ale House (Hixson), 96.1 FM, 7 p.m.
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Information sessions are taking place for the spring 2026 study abroad course, “Doing Business in The Balkans,” which is open to all UTC students. The course has no prerequisites and includes a two-week international study trip to the Balkans, visiting Italy, Croatia and Albania (tentatively scheduled for May 11-24). The Balkans course is led by Dr. Beni Asllani, head of data analytics and native of Albania.
Information sessions:
- Today (Nov. 11): 12:30 p.m., Zoom
- Thursday, Nov. 20: 2 p.m., Zoom
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Information sessions are taking place for the summer 2026 study abroad course, “Doing Business in Germany,” which is open to all UTC students. The course has no prerequisites and includes a two-week international study trip to Germany, visiting Berlin, Nuremberg and Munich (tentatively scheduled for June 20-July 3). The Germany course is led by Dr. Michael Jones, senior associate dean of the Gary W. Rollins College of Business.
Information sessions:
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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
Business Analytics Certificate Information Sessions
MBA Information Sessions
MSDA Information Sessions
MAcc Information Sessions
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High school students and families are invited to experience what it means to be a Moc during the Power C Tour from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Aquatic and Recreation Center. The event connects future students with UTC leaders, faculty, staff and current Mocs to learn about academics, housing, financial aid and campus life. Qualified seniors can even earn admission on the spot through the University’s “Moc Minute” program.
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Students in Dr. Katelyn Hancock’s Ethics in Criminal Justice course will showcase their artwork during the Pouring for Purpose Gallery from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the University Center Chickamauga Room.
The event features abstract paintings created by students exploring ethical dilemmas and solutions in the criminal justice system. Attendees can take home a student painting in exchange for a donation, with all proceeds benefiting the local nonprofit Partnership for Families, Children and Adults’ HOPE Initiative Program. Both cash and electronic donations will be accepted.
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Dr. Amy Brock-Hon, Robert Lake Wilson Professor of Geology, will lead a lecture on Raccoon Mountain Caverns and regional geology at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in Grote Hall Room 319.
Following the lecture, Brock-Hon will guide a tour of the public section of the caverns at 5:30 p.m. (319 W. Hills Drive).
Space for the cavern tour is limited to 10 participants, but the lecture is open to all. Those interested in the tour are asked to attend the lecture first, as key background information will be shared there. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended for the tour.
Click here to register for the lecture and tour and learn more about the caverns.
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The Center for Wellbeing offers a monthly lineup of trainings for faculty and staff. Please sign up here. Sessions that count toward completion of the Mental Health Ally Program are marked with an asterisk (*).
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.
- Friday, Nov. 14: Sleep Matters: Improving Sleep Among Employees and Students, Zoom, noon-1 p.m.
- *Friday, Nov. 14: Mental Health First Aid, Library Room 209, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
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 College Quest student panelists Bentley Adkins, left, Shelby Alford, Tooba Tanveer and Lukas Wise On Friday, Nov. 14, high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers in professional health care, engineering, computer science and technology—along with their families—are invited to College Quest at UTC.
Co-hosted by UTC’s Pre-Health Professions Advising, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and UTC Admissions, College Quest combines targeted academic sessions, lab experiences, and a student panel with a parent track that covers financial aid, housing, career services and academic support. Click here to learn more about the panelists and their UTC stories.
The half-day event takes place from noon to 5 p.m. at the Wolford Family Athletic Center. The event is free and complimentary parking is available in Lot 31. Registration for College Quest is required by Nov. 4 and is available online by visiting go.utc.edu/college-quest.
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The next Scrappy’s Market will be from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, on Vine Street.
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Faculty, staff, and community members are invited to learn more at the upcoming Professional Education Open House from 3-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, via Zoom.
The UTC Center for Professional Education offers flexible, career-focused programs designed to help working professionals advance their skills in Human Resources, Supply Chain, Project Management, Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology. Each program is led by industry experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom, preparing participants for certification exams and career advancement opportunities. Click here to RSVP.
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The UTC Theatre Co. will perform Euripides’ “Medea,” translated by Diane J. Rayor, from Nov. 18-22 in the Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre at the UTC Fine Arts Center. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. nightly, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors (student ID required). Tickets can be purchased online or through the UTC Fine Arts Center Box Office—by phone at 423-425-4269 or in person.
Directed by Assistant Professor Drew Davidson, “Medea” explores betrayal, exile and revenge in a fast-paced, 90-minute adaptation that balances classical language with modern accessibility.
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Join the Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science (CAGDS) on Wednesday, Nov. 19, to celebrate GIS Day, a global event recognizing the work of geographic information systems (GIS) professionals. This year’s theme highlights how today’s geospatial thinkers are “geo-generalists,” applying spatial thinking across disciplines such as public health, marketing, climate science and logistics to solve complex challenges using data-driven insight.
CAGDS will host a free workshop, “GeoAI — Deep Learning for Imagery Classification in GIS and Remote Sensing,” from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Multidisciplinary Research Building (MDRB 102). Registration is required. Participants will explore the intersection of GIS and artificial intelligence (AI), learning how deep learning techniques can analyze high-resolution imagery to:
- Classify land cover types such as forests, farmland, water and urban areas
- Detect and count buildings, vehicles or roads
- Identify storm or wildfire damage to support disaster response
By combining AI with GIS, users can process large datasets faster, uncover hidden patterns and gain new insights about the world around us.
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The UTC Graduate School announced that the following students will be presenting their final works of research as advanced degree candidates. Everyone is invited to attend.
Campus Updates
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In August, the UTC campus experienced a criminal act intended to cause disruption, chaos and trauma. While similar incidents have impacted other institutions across the country, UTC was among the first targeted this academic year—serving as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and collective resilience.
At the direction of University administration, UTC will now require mandatory Active Violence Response Training for all regular full-time employees (faculty and staff) and affiliated staff (Aramark, Barnes & Noble and Canon). This marks the first year the training is mandatory for the campus community.
To assist in delivering the program, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has partnered with Defend Systems, a life safety and security consulting firm specializing in active shooter response and emergency preparedness. The training will focus on emergency awareness, critical response actions and strategies that improve survivability. Click here to register for a session.
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Faculty and staff are invited to serve as marshals at the upcoming Chancellor’s Investiture and Fall 2025 Commencement ceremonies. Marshals play an important role in supporting these milestone events and ensuring a smooth experience for graduates and guests.
- Friday, Nov. 21: 3 p.m., Investiture of the Chancellor
- Friday, Dec. 12: 2:30 p.m., Graduate (all colleges)
- Saturday, Dec. 13: 9 a.m., Undergraduate (all colleges)
To volunteer, fill out this form to indicate which ceremony(ies) you are available to marshal. Questions? Contact Natalie Haber.
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Often, we think of summer programs when we think of Programs for Minors, but UTC has a wealth of programs designed for our area youth that run throughout the year. The Programs for Minors policy, a UT system policy, is in place to ensure that minors (youth 17 and younger) and the individuals who work with them are protected.
If you have questions about the policy or a program you are planning, please visit the Programs for Minors webpage or contact UTCDPS_Compliance@utc.edu.
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Housing and Residence Life is looking for resident assistants for the spring 2026 academic semester and the 2026-2027 academic year. RAs are students who work and live in the residence halls to provide resources, programs and support to their fellow students. This position offers free housing, a meal plan and a stipend. Being an RA is a great way to get involved on campus and develop transferable skills for your future career. Visit utc.edu/ra to learn more
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UTC Campus Recreation is offering a new Faculty and Staff Walking Membership for $10 per month.
Payroll deduction is available for full-time faculty and staff. Sign-ups begin Nov. 3 at the Campus Recreation Office in the Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC). Office hours can be found here. Please note that this membership is valid only for the indoor walking track. Other areas of the building, including machines and free weights along the track, are off-limits.
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The R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) Program is a national self-defense course that focuses on awareness, prevention, risk reduction and realistic hands-on training. Classes are taught by certified UTC Police and Public Safety instructors.
- Free for students, faculty and staff
- No experience necessary
- Emphasis on safety and empowerment
- Offered multiple times throughout the year
Click here or email Marion Perkins to register or learn more.
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The Clarence E. Harris Chair of Excellence in Entrepreneurship in UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business is excited to announce the third year of Mocs Innovate: The Harris Chair Seed Fund for Innovation. This mini-grant program is designed to foster inventive research and entrepreneurial initiatives on campus. UTC faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $4,000 to support new ideas with commercialization potential.
The Mocs Innovate mini-grant program aims to inspire and support creative projects at all stages of development and is open to any UTC faculty or staff member with innovative ideas that demonstrate clear pathways for licensing or entrepreneurial ventures. By providing up to $4,000 in funding, the Mocs Innovate initiative seeks to accelerate the development of ideas that can have a meaningful impact both within and beyond the University.
Click here to learn more. The deadline to apply for this cycle of grant funding is Dec. 15.
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The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) will host a training session to help the campus community transition to DASH Research, UTC’s new research administration platform.
DASH Research Safety: The Research Safety module will go live on Nov. 10, replacing the current IBC email/Word document submission process. Principal investigators will not be required to submit new registrations until Jan. 12, 2026, allowing ORI to migrate active registrations first. ORI will host an in-person demonstration of the new platform from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. Lunch will be provided. To attend, RSVP to the IBC at ibc@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.
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Are you in need of physical therapy services? The Department of Physical Therapy offers short-term care for students, faculty and staff for free. The on-campus clinic is led by PT faculty and doctoral students during the fall and spring semesters. If you are experiencing functional limitations, pain, lingering injuries, recent injuries, or would like guidance to improve overall fitness, they are happy to evaluate you.
The clinic is located in University Health Services in Maclellan Gym (545 Terrell Owens Way). Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and 1-3 p.m. on Thursdays.
To schedule an appointment, call University Health Services at 423-425-2266. For additional information, email ptclinic@utc.edu.
UTC Newsroom
 Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole discusses his journey with marketing students. Jesse Cole, owner of the American sensation Savannah Bananas, discussed his journey of owning the baseball team with UTC marketing students over Zoom.
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 Chief Sean O’Brien (left), Deputy Chief Matt Holzmacher and Director of Emergency Management Brett Fuchs Students in Dr. Katelyn Hancock’s criminology class recently spent their class time going on a “crime walk.” Though UTC has its own police force and safety experts, Hancock wanted her students to ask: What areas can be improved?
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Nearly 1,500 local elementary and middle school students packed the McKenzie Arena stands for the annual Education Day game last week, helping create an atmosphere that matched the energy on the court.
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Here are some other recent UTC stories featured in the Newsroom:
WUTC
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IN Memoriam
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xxx. A full obituary is available here.
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This section is reserved for memorial announcements of current and former UTC employees as the Office of Communications and Marketing becomes aware. To publish an announcement, a publicly available obituary must be provided. Please send any announcements to Vice Chancellor JAy Blackman at jay-blackman@utc.edu.
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