Letter from Dr. Freeman
As we gear up for the fall semester, I wanted to take the time to thank everyone for their hard work this summer. Navigating the challenges of a pandemic isn’t easy, and I am grateful for each of you for stepping up and doing your best to serve our students during this time. There are more challenges ahead, but I have faith in the expertise, ingenuity and fortitude of our division. UTC is more than a campus, it’s a community, and that’s because of all of you.
Dr. Chris Smith, Chief Health Officer, and Dr. Yasmine Key continued to lead the University’s response to coronavirus. Drs. Smith and Key served on the university’s coronavirus taskforce, answered questions for students, faculty and staff during multiple Zoom calls and Instagram live takeovers, helped set up UTC’s contact tracing program with Dr. Dawn Ford, secured coronavirus testing for the campus and many more tasks.
Dr. Rob Liddell, executive director for the Center for Career and Leadership Development, graduated from the ten-month Leadership Chattanooga Cohort Experience through the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Foundation last month.
Theresa Blackman, the pre-health professions advisor in the Center for Academic Support and Advisement, was recently elected to serve as Secretary on the regional executive board of the Southeastern Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (SAAHP). SAAHP is comprised of colleges and universities in the Southeastern U.S. concerned with the preparation of students for further study in a wide variety of health-related professions.
Dr. Michelle Rigler, executive director of the Disability Resource Center, received the Professional Recognition Award from the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). The award recognizes outstanding achievement and contributions to Disability Resources.
Dr. Crystal Edenfield became a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach in July. She completed a certification program to provide strengths-based professional development and coaching to individuals, teams and managers.
Starting this fall semester, Veteran Student Services will launch the Veteran Peer Mentorship Program. The program is part of statewide efforts from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission Veteran Reconnect to assist veterans and service members attain college degrees and workforce training.
Incoming and current students will be paired with a peer mentor who will act as a trusted guide while they are in the program. The goals for the program is to increase student connection and satisfaction, resource usage and promote academic success.
Campus Recreation has been hard at work this summer with multiple facility upgrades, programming changes and more. Students and members of the ARC can enjoy new fitness equipment, new outdoor rental equipment and paint upgrades to UTC Outdoors and the natatorium where the swimming pool resides.
New dock improvements and barge interior work will be beginning soon on the UTC waterfront. Campus Recreation is also expanding its virtual offerings with more opportunities in eSports, fitness classes and personal training.
Renovations on Lupton Hall are nearing completion, and the building will open this fall semester. Renovations included a redesign of the floor space, replacement of all building systems and finishes to accommodate general classrooms, offices and other academic spaces.
Several EMSA offices will be relocating to Lupton Hall this month. The Multicultural Center, Center for Women and Gender Equity, Student Activities offices, International Student and Scholar Services are moving to the first floor.
Staff Spotlight
For this edition of the newsletter, Staff Spotlight is a little different. We couldn’t choose just one employee to highlight because everyone has faced unique challenges this year. The coronavirus pandemic means every staff member has solved difficult problems, took on new duties or projects and adapted to constant change.
Every one of you has risen to the challenges presented over the past few months and contributed to the success of the EMSA division. We hope you take some time to be proud of your dedication and resilience to your work, and let your colleagues know that their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed, too.
Appointments, Promotions and Retirements
- Emily Rosenquist is the new victim advocate for the Center for Women and Gender Equity.
- Craig Gosnell was promoted to Assistant Director of Programs and Engagement for Campus Recreation.
- Logan Rader joined Campus Recreation as an Administrative Assistant.
- Sarah Edgar accepted the position of Financial Literacy Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid.
- Gary Thompson joined the division as the Director of Facilities in Housing and Residence Life.
- Kathryn Mortensen is the new Associate Director for Residential Education in Housing and Residence Life.
- Viviana Roqueta joined the division as Resident Director for West Campus Housing.
- Dawn McFadden accepted the position of Building Assistant for Stagmaier Hall.
- Kayla Boyles is a new graduation specialist in the Records Office.
- Taylor Asgard joined the Office of Student & Family Engagement as the Coordinator for Student Engagement.
- Holly Tryon is a new medical assistant in University Health Services
- Janice Williams joined University Health Services as a nurse.
- Nicolas ‘Nic’ Maynard accepted the position as Testing Center Assistant in the Disability Resource Center.
- Patricia Lin-Steadman was promoted to Assistant Director for the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
- Laura Livermore was promoted to the Assistant Director at the Center for Global Education and the Director at the Office of Study Abroad Programs.
- Yvonne Dunham Slobodenko was promoted to ESL Coordinator in the UTC ESL Institute.
- Melissa Laseter was named the Director of Student Support Services.
Welcome Week: August 10 – August 21
The 2020 Welcome Week calendar of events is jammed packed with a ton of fun, free programs to get the school year started off right. Events are virtual and in-person and include video game tournaments, stand-up paddle boarding, group fitness launch and an ice cream social. See the schedule of events on the UTC website.
Submit to the Newsletter
This newsletter is all about recognizing and celebrating YOU—the people who serve our students every day. Tell us about new and upcoming projects, past accomplishments, department news, brags on your colleagues, and anything else that you think deserves recognition. We’re always taking submissions. Use this form to submit to the newsletter.
Have questions or need help with your submission? Please contact Laura Bond.
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For division employees who need to subscribe, please email April Cox.