Our Bold Future Is Officially Underway: Last week, the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approved UTC’s new Strategic Plan, launching a decisive roadmap to 2030 that positions us to expand enrollment, elevate research to Carnegie R2 status and strengthen our role as a nationally recognized metropolitan university. This is a defining moment in UTC’s trajectory.
Nearly two years in the making, the Strategic Plan reflects the voices, ideas and aspirations of our campus community and builds on the foundation laid by former Chancellor Steve Angle and Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley. It calls us to measurable growth in student success, research impact, operational strength and community engagement. Most importantly, it calls each of us to action.
Strategic plans succeed only when they are lived daily—in our teaching, our scholarship, our service and our partnerships. Together, we will turn this vision into momentum.
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Advancing Innovation Through Federal Partnership: I want to extend my sincere thanks to U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann for securing $3 million in federal funding to launch a new Translational Research Program at UTC. This investment will accelerate how we move discoveries from the lab into the real world, strengthening innovation, commercialization and economic growth across our region.
Housed within the UTC Research Institute, this initiative will support patent development, expand research capacity and create new educational opportunities for students to engage in applied innovation.
Congressman Fleischmann has long been a strong advocate for UTC and for initiatives that position Chattanooga at the forefront of mobility systems, quantum technologies and next-generation infrastructure. We are grateful for his continued partnership, this meaningful investment in our faculty and students, and the future of research-driven economic development in Tennessee.
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Academic Excellence and Belonging in Action: I’m proud to recognize our residential students for their extraordinary academic achievement this fall. More than half of our students living on campus—2,026 in total, representing 55%—earned Dean’s List honors. That is clear evidence that connection and academic success reinforce each other.
We know that students who feel a sense of belonging and who are actively engaged in campus life are more likely to stay in school, graduate and succeed. Our annual Scholars in Residence ceremony celebrates the daily decisions—showing up, asking for help, getting involved—that build momentum toward long-term success.
Congratulations to our residential Mocs for demonstrating that when students are connected and committed, retention strengthens and excellence follows.
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Sustainability You Can See: At UTC, even our buildings tell a story of innovation and stewardship. Thanks to the leadership of our Environmental Studies students and campus partners, recycled glass collected in a campuswide drive through March 13 will be incorporated into the lobby floor of the new Oak Street Residence Hall.
This student-led collaboration, working alongside faculty, architects and a local glass recycling company, turns an underused resource into something lasting and visible. It reflects the creativity and initiative of our students, who are not only studying sustainability but actively shaping a more responsible campus. I’m grateful to integrated studies major Hannah Stone and Associate Lecturer of English and Co-Director of Environmental Studies Catherine Meeks Quinlan, who are leading the way to transform everyday materials into a meaningful expression of UTC pride.
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National Recognition for a Future Public Service Leader: I’m thrilled to congratulate Hattie Martinek, a senior majoring in political science and public service and a member of our Honors College, on being selected for the highly competitive Public Policy and International Affairs Program Junior Summer Institute at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Hattie is one of just 18 students nationwide chosen for the University of Michigan cohort—an extraordinary accomplishment that places her among the nation’s most promising future leaders in public service.
The PPIA Junior Summer Institute prepares undergraduates for graduate study and careers in public policy and international affairs through rigorous, graduate-level coursework and immersive professional development. Hattie’s selection reflects her intellectual curiosity, leadership and commitment to serving others—qualities nurtured through our Honors College, the Department of Political Science and Public Service and the mentorship she has received across campus.
Congratulations, Hattie, on this well-deserved honor. You represent UTC with distinction, and we look forward to all you will accomplish in service to our community and beyond.
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Influence in Action: This tax season, UTC accounting students are making a measurable difference in Chattanooga through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, preparing returns free of charge.
Under the guidance of Associate Professor Steve Davenport, students complete rigorous IRS certification before serving clients at local VITA sites. Last year alone, UTC students prepared more than 1,500 returns, helping generate an estimated $2.5 million in refunds and savings for the community. This is experiential learning at its best: students sharpening professional skills while strengthening the economic well-being of our region. That kind of preparation and purpose is exactly what we strive to cultivate at UTC.
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Strengthening Care Through Collaboration: UTC students and Erlanger nursing residents came together for a shared clinical simulation designed to strengthen the communication and teamwork at the center of high-quality patient care. This full-day collaboration paired our Doctor of Nursing Practice students with early-career nurses at Erlanger’s simulation center, creating a safe, structured environment to build confidence and sharpen decision-making across clinical settings.
This partnership displays UTC’s approach to preparing health care leaders through immersive, practice-based learning rooted in collaboration. By working alongside one another before entering independent practice, these future advanced practice providers and bedside nurses are building habits of communication and mutual respect that directly improve patient outcomes. My thanks to Assistant Professor Chris Doneski, our College of Nursing faculty and our partners at Erlanger for investing in innovative experiences that strengthen our workforce and serve our region.
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Honoring a Legacy Through Preservation: I want to recognize our UTC Special Collections team for completing an extraordinary 18-month, federally funded project to process and open the personal and professional papers of Dr. Tommie F. Brown. Supported by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, this effort ensures that Dr. Brown’s 172-box collection—documenting her groundbreaking leadership in higher education, civil rights and the Tennessee General Assembly—is now fully accessible to students, scholars and the public.
Dr. Brown’s legacy is woven deeply into the fabric of UTC and Chattanooga. As a faculty member, department founder and public servant, she helped reshape institutions and expand opportunities for others. Our archivists have ensured that her life’s work will continue to inform research, inspire future leaders and strengthen our understanding of Tennessee’s civic history. I am grateful to our Special Collections team for stewarding this important chapter of our shared story with such care and dedication.
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Wishing You a Wonderful Spring Break: As we head into Spring Break March 16-20, I hope each of you finds time to pause and recharge. The pace of a semester can be demanding, and the week offers a valuable opportunity to step back, reflect and return with renewed focus for the final stretch.
Whether you are traveling, spending time with family and friends or simply catching your breath, please take care of yourselves and one another. I look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready to finish the semester strong. Safe travels, Mocs.
