Listening and Learning Across Campus: One of the most valuable parts of my first year at UTC has been the opportunity to spend time across our academic community, especially during the spring semester. In recent weeks, I have visited with faculty and staff in several colleges and academic units, including the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Nursing, the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies, the UTC Library and areas within the College of Arts and Sciences. These conversations have given me the chance to listen, learn and see firsthand the work taking place across our campus.
I am grateful to the faculty and staff who welcomed me into their meetings, classrooms, laboratories and learning spaces. It has been encouraging to hear what people are excited about, where they see opportunity and what questions or concerns they want to share. These visits have reinforced my understanding of the depth of talent, commitment and creativity across UTC.
Spending time in these spaces is an important reminder that UTC’s strength comes from our people. I look forward to continuing these conversations in the months ahead and to the energy and dedication I have seen throughout our campus community.
* * * * *
Reflecting on a Wonderful Commencement Weekend: Thank you to everyone who helped make commencement such a meaningful and memorable celebration for the Class of 2026. Across the three McKenzie Arena ceremonies, we had the opportunity to recognize approximately 1,780 degree candidates as they reached this important milestone. It was a memorable weekend for our graduates, their families and all who have supported them along the way.
It was especially meaningful to celebrate the full academic journey across our colleges while recognizing the breadth of this graduating class, which included students from 73 Tennessee counties, 29 states and 19 countries. Among our graduates were 368 first-generation students, 503 Pell scholarship recipients and 35 students who have served or are currently serving in the military. Their stories reflect the strength, diversity and determination of our campus community.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring these ceremonies to life, from our commencement marshals, volunteers and event staff to the faculty and administrators who supported our graduates every step of the way. Congratulations again to the Class of 2026, and thank you to all who helped make the moment so special.
* * * * *
Supporting Well-Being Through Collaboration: I want to recognize the Mocs Wellness Initiative and especially thank Department of Physical Therapy Professor Betsy Myers and Center for Wellbeing Director Megan McKnight for their leadership in building a program that is making a meaningful difference across our campus.
By bringing together physical therapy, nutrition and health coaching, this interdisciplinary effort supports employee well-being while also giving students valuable hands-on experience in collaborative care.
What makes this initiative especially powerful is the way it serves both our people and our mission. Early results show strong participation, measurable health improvements and high satisfaction among participants, while students gain a more complete understanding of how to support well-being in professional settings.
* * * * *
Recognizing National Graduate Research Excellence: Congratulations to UTC alum Cheyenne Higgs, who earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry in December 2025, on receiving a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program award, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for students pursuing research-based graduate study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Her selection for this highly competitive fellowship reflects both her exceptional promise as a researcher and the strength of the academic and research opportunities available at UTC.
Cheyenne’s path was shaped by the kind of experiential learning and faculty mentorship that define the UTC experience. Through undergraduate research, conference presentations and national research opportunities, she built the foundation for a fellowship proposal rooted in work conducted in the lab of Dr. Jared Pienkos. Her success shows the support of faculty and staff who helped guide the application process, including the Department of Chemistry’s NSF GRFP writing group—led by Dr. Meredith Barbee—and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
I know firsthand the significance of this fellowship and the opportunities it can create for a young researcher’s future. The NSF GRFP is not only a recognition of academic promise, but also an investment in a student’s ideas, independence and potential to contribute to discovery in meaningful ways. That is what makes Cheyenne’s achievement especially exciting, and we are proud to see her join this distinguished group of scholars.
* * * * *
Expanding Opportunities Through Global Engagement: Recent UTC graduate Bailee Fiste will soon return to Japan for a yearlong role in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, an opportunity that displays academic preparation and a deep commitment to cross-cultural understanding. Bailee, who earned her degree in humanities: international studies in December 2025, was selected to serve as an assistant language teacher, supporting English instruction and cultural exchange in Japanese classrooms.
Bailee’s path to the JET Program grew from experiences that helped shape her academic and professional goals, including a study abroad excursion to Japan through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. She built on that global experience to pursue an opportunity that combines teaching, cultural connection and service. Achievements like this highlight UTC’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers and thoughtful engagement in an increasingly connected world. Congratulations to Bailee!
* * * * *
Building the Quantum Workforce of the Future: I’m excited that UTC is part of the nation’s first quantum pre-apprenticeship program, an important step in helping professionals and organizations prepare for emerging quantum technologies.
Supported by a National Science Foundation grant awarded to the UTC Research Institute and developed through the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative in partnership with BuildWithin, this 12-week program, which runs from June 29 through Sept. 18, creates a practical pathway for early and mid-career professionals to engage directly with quantum concepts and explore how they can be applied in the workplace. It reflects the kind of forward-looking collaboration that helps translate innovation into opportunity.
Through the UTC Quantum Center, we are advancing quantum research and building the national and international partnerships needed to align education with the career opportunities of the quantum future. We are committed to connecting research with opportunity for our students, industry partners and the community, and programs like this pre-apprenticeship strengthen our workforce and position Chattanooga to shape what comes next.
