Raising the Standard for Campus Safety: The safety of our campus community is always our top priority, and I’m pleased to share an important step forward in how we protect and support one another. This month, the University launched Safe@UTC, a new campus safety app and emergency communications platform that strengthens our ability to respond quickly, communicate clearly and prevent incidents whenever possible.
Safe@UTC gives students, faculty and staff quick access to campus safety resources. With the app, users can connect to UTC Police with one touch, submit anonymous reports, and request Safe Walk or Safe Ride services. It also helps emergency responders coordinate more effectively in real time. This launch reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in tools, training and partnerships that help ensure everyone at UTC feels informed, supported and safe wherever they are on campus.
The new app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play Store. I encourage every member of our community to download the app and take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with its features because preparedness is one of the most powerful forms of care we can offer one another.
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Global Recognition for Data-Driven Impact: Congratulations to our Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science for earning international distinction as a finalist in the 2025 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition. Selected from hundreds of entries worldwide, UTC’s StoryMap, “Mapping Chattanooga’s Urban Forests,” was named a finalist in the Environment category—placing our work alongside leading projects from across the globe.
By combining geospatial data science, artificial intelligence and strong partnerships with the City of Chattanooga and local nonprofits, GIS Director Charlie Mix and the CAGDS team are helping guide where trees are planted to reduce urban heat and improve quality of life—especially in neighborhoods that need it most.
Please show your support by voting for “Mapping Chattanooga’s Urban Forests” for the Community Choice Award.
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Setting a New Bar: For the third time in recent months, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Murat Barisik has seen his research featured on the cover of a leading international journal. This achievement speaks to both the impact of the work and the standards behind it.
Dr. Barisik’s latest cover article in Nanomaterials follows earlier recognitions in Nanoscale and Small, highlighting research that blends machine learning, physics and materials science to better understand heat transfer at the nanoscale. This is the kind of scholarship that advances knowledge, informs manufacturing and energy applications, and creates meaningful research opportunities for graduate students and collaborators.
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Fueling Ideas That Move Forward: Innovation doesn’t always hinge on large grants. Sometimes it’s early belief and targeted support that make the difference.
This year’s MOCS Innovate! Harris Chair Seed Fund for Innovation awardees reflect the breadth of creativity across our campus—from wearable technologies and AI tools to urban logistics, drone systems and streamlined accreditation platforms. These mini-grants provide critical momentum at a pivotal stage, helping researchers refine ideas, test prototypes and take next steps toward impact.
My thanks to Dr. Thomas Lyons, the Clarence E. Harris Chair of Excellence in Entrepreneurship in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, and all of the faculty innovators and student collaborators who are advancing UTC’s culture of discovery, entrepreneurship and applied research.
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Teaching Excellence Recognized: I want to recognize Dr. Hemangi Mavadiya, assistant professor in the Master of Public Health Nutrition and Dietetics program, for being named Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the Year by the Chattanooga Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Since joining UTC in August, Dr. Mavadiya has made an immediate impact through innovative teaching and a deep commitment to student success. The recognition from local nutrition and dietetics professionals speaks to both her excellence in the classroom and the strength of our MPH program.
Congratulations, Dr. Mavadiya, on this well-deserved honor—and thank you for the care, energy and expertise you bring to our students and our community.
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Bringing History to Life: I have exciting news to share about Abby Clark, a junior elementary education major from Franklin, Tennessee, who has earned a remarkable opportunity that speaks to the strength of our School of Education. Abby has been selected as the first preservice teacher to receive a fellowship from the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, an honor that will allow her to learn history alongside Medal of Honor recipients and leading historians while visiting some of our nation’s most significant historic sites.
My thanks to our School of Education faculty for their mentorship and partnership in making opportunities like this possible, and congratulations to Abby, as she will begin her teaching career not only with strong content knowledge but also with a deeper understanding of how history, service and character shape lives.
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Imagination Takes the Stage: Next week, our UTC Theatre Co. will bring “Alice by Heart” to the Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre in the UTC Fine Arts Center, with performances Feb. 24–28. Set during the London Blitz, the musical follows two teenagers who escape into Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, combining powerful storytelling with contemporary music by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater.
What makes this production especially meaningful is that it was championed by our students and selected with their voices at the forefront. Our talented cast and crew have poured creativity and dedication into this show. Productions like this showcase artistic talent, collaboration, discipline and creative courage—qualities that define the UTC experience.
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Inclusive Care, Shared Responsibility: As our population ages, caring for older adults is not the work of a single profession; it’s a shared responsibility across health care, social services and community partners. That’s why I’m excited that UTC’s College of Nursing will host the 10th annual Inclusive Care Conference on Wednesday, March 4, bringing together providers, caregivers and organizations from across the region to focus on age-friendly, equitable care.
This conference reflects who we are as a University: responsive to real community needs and committed to practical, evidence-based solutions. Through initiatives like MobileMOC and multiple state and federal partnerships, UTC continues to lead conversations and action around how we support older adults where they live. My thanks to the College of Nursing and our many partners for sustaining a conference that strengthens care, connection and collaboration across our region.
