Chancellor’s Update

SACSCOC reaffirmation of UTC’s authority to award degrees is fast approaching—our site visit is March 6-9.  The reaffirmation process is one of the most critical campus-wide initiatives we will undertake.  More than a dozen Roadshow events will take place to educate faculty, staff, and students about the reaffirmation process; our Quality Enhancement Plan, called “A Moc’s First Year;” and the SACSCOC On-Site Review Team visit in March.  You can click here to find a list of upcoming Roadshow dates.  Please plan to attend one of the sessions!

We will hold Coffee with the Chancellor next Thursday (January 26) from 8:15-9:30 a.m. in the Roth Reading Room on the 4th floor of the UTC Library.  For those unfamiliar with Coffee with the Chancellor, stop by and chat, grab a cup of coffee, and keep the mug!  The only agenda is a meaningful dialogue, so bring ideas, questions and concerns.  I will take questions from 8:30-9:15 a.m. but hope to chat informally before and after. 

Thank you to the UC Foundation for funding The Aviary at Stacy Town Center, a new student-focused space serving the social and academic needs of students residing in Decosimo, Guerry, Stophel, Walker and UC Foundation Apartments.  The Aviary was designed and developed by students in the UTC Interior Architecture and Design program.  Designed by students for students!  Congratulations to seniors Jacob Ridenour (LaFollette, Tennessee) and J.T. Taylor (Thermopolis, Wyoming) for their design.

On Tuesday (January 24), we will recognize the Chancellor’s Blue Ribbon Award recipients for the second half of 2022—Ann Laster (Performing Arts), Joseph McCauley (Academic Advisor, Student Success Center), Sandra Cordell (Project and Program Coordinator, Gary W. Rollins College of Business), Kim Thomas (Occupational Therapy), Angela Foster (UTC Campus Photographer) and Emily Rosenquist (Assistant Director, Center for Women and Gender Equity)—with a luncheon in the University Center.  These individuals have gone above and beyond to display excellent job performance, dependability and innovation while promoting a positive working environment.  Congratulations to all the recipients!

We are very excited that Dr. Angela Davis, a prominent educator, author and public speaker, is coming to campus as the keynote speaker for the UTC MLK Day 2023 celebration.  The event takes place on Tuesday (January 24) in the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall.  The discussion and Q&A will be moderated by Dr. Felicia McGhee, associate professor and head of the UTC Department of Communication.

UTC’s celebration of Black History Month will include special events throughout February, beginning with a February 1 kickoff pep rally and the Taste of Black Chattanooga—hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Student Success Programs.  Stay tuned for information about campus events and celebrations.

A big round of applause to Dr. Angie To and the students, faculty and staff of the Department of Art.  Over the past year, the department’s work has been increasingly on display around campus; Dr. To’s artwork can now be found adorning the walls of the Provost’s Office here in Founders Hall.  Please check out her paintings and the work of young alum Tamia Spinks, who produced six pieces of art for the new Diversity and Engagement Art Gallery.

Congratulations to Dr. Beth Crawford, Dr. David Rausch and the BAS-AL program on signing an articulation agreement with Chattanooga State Community College.  At the signing ceremony, it was a pleasure to meet one of our current BAS-AL students, Roshonda Woods, who is the solid waste manager for the City of Chattanooga.  Roshonda is a terrific representative of what this program is all about!

A big “Go Mocs” to our UTC student-athletes for another outstanding cumulative performance in the classroom, recording a 3.187 GPA during the fall semester.  Twelve programs finished with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, led by the women’s cross country team with a 3.636 GPA, and 61% of all student-athletes landed on the Dean’s list.

Good luck to our men’s and women’s tennis teams as they start their spring seasons.  The men begin 2023 home play next Saturday (January 28) when they take on both Gardner-Webb and Young Harris at the UTC Tennis Center.  On January 29, the women play host to Lee University.  Go Mocs!