Campus Reorganization

Dear UTC Colleagues:

At UTC we are focused on providing an excellent educational experience for our students and having a positive impact on our community.  As I mentioned in the 2023 State of the University Address: “Our aspirations must embrace the increasing pace of technological change.  Our plans must be bold leaps forward, not incremental steps down the same path of the past.”

Our greatest asset is our people, and I am writing to announce organizational changes that will help us pursue excellence and innovation while we strive to be more effective and efficient. 

There are several reasons for this reorganization:

• Gaining an organization-wide view to apply generative AI in our instruction, business operations, and research.  Our campus open forums on AI have prompted us to directly take on the challenges and opportunities presented by this innovative technology. 
• Leading in economic and workforce development, focused on our partnerships and investments in mobility and quantum.
• Streamlining our administrative structure to align responsibilities to be more responsive.
• Effective and efficient use of resources to achieve our strategic objectives.

The following changes are effective today, October 27:

• Vicki Farnsworth, Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer, will oversee the integration of generative AI across the campus.  Additional information will be forthcoming in the next several weeks. 
• Bryan Johnson, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Strategy Officer, will be responsible for overseeing Communications and Marketing.
• David Steele has decided to leave UTC, and the Chief of Staff position will be eliminated.  Bryan Johnson will oversee the transition of the operations of the Chancellor’s Office.
• Government relations will be managed by UT Government Relations and Advocacy.
• Kim White, Vice Chancellor of Advancement, will lead UTC economic development initiatives, and the recently announced position of Economic Development director will report to her once it is filled.
• Brent Goldberg, Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration, is in the process of reviewing operations in his unit and will be announcing several changes in the coming weeks. 

These actions support our four rallying points of our work in this decade:

• Creating the Mocs experience where students, faculty, and staff are positioned for success and thrive.
• Leveraging our special place as Chattanooga’s University, we are central to the workforce and economic development efforts of this region and Tennessee. 
• Cultivating a culture of innovation where we lead in the transformational change happening in higher education and in our state, nation, and world. 
• Operating with excellence, from the way our campus looks and feels to student success and exceptional teaching, research, and service.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we look to the future and pursue excellence in all we do.  

Go Mocs!

Steve Angle

Chancellor