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Fall 2023 EMSA Newsletter

Home » Newsletters » Fall 2023 EMSA Newsletter

Accomplishments

The University has received recognition as one of the top schools for military veterans, securing the 54th spot out of 325 institutions in Military Times’ 2023 Best for Vets: Colleges list. The work of the UTC’s Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA) greatly helped with receiving this recognition.

VMA had a busy fall semester. The Monthly Rep Your Branch Day events attracted over 50 students each month and served as a platform to connect military members across campus with community resources. VMA, in collaboration with the UTC Athletics department, orchestrated a poignant presentation of a 20-foot by 30-foot American Flag during the National Anthem at the Military Appreciation Salute to Heroes Game.

Additionally, VMA organized events such as Veterans Day Food Trucks on Campus and the Holiday 4 Heroes: Free Pre-Thanksgiving Meal Drive-Thru, providing free meals and festive supplies to military-connected attendees, showcasing a dedication to fostering a supportive environment for veterans on campus.

Dr. Abeer Mustafa, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, was the keynote speaker at this year’s UTC Veterans Day Luncheon. After graduating high school, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving four years in the U.S. Army’s 56th Medical Battalion.

The Center for Academic Support and Advisement (CASA) has hosted over 1,000 scheduled and drop-in student appointments during November.

Thanks to a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Health, University Health Services was able to update its clinic. The waiting room furniture has been replaced with chairs that have antimicrobial coverings. Exam rooms have been updated with non-porous countertops, touchless faucets, soap dispensers, paper towel holders and new cabinets.

The Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) program hosted the University’s first off-campus housing fair in October. The event brought representatives from off-campus properties, utility companies and municipal services to meet with students. The OCSS program is managed by the Office of Student Outreach and Support (SOS).

Campus Recreation completed the installation of a new F45 Studio, replacing the previous lobby in the Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC). The F45 Studio project, first initiated in March 2022, focuses on functional training with 45-minute workouts categorized into cardio, resistance, hybrid, and recovery. The program aims to provide a diverse and challenging workout experience for participants of all fitness levels.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Office of New Student and Family Programs hosted four Power C Tour events this fall in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga. The four tour stops attracted 1,033 total students, parents and guests. Of the 446 students who attended, more than 30% were admitted to UTC in a “Moc Minute,” which allowed qualified high school seniors to apply for free and be admitted on the spot.

On November 11, more than 800 students and guests came to campus for the Blue and Gold Preview Day. The day’s events included a campus tour, an academic department fair, a student organization showcase and a residence hall open house.

Zach Roberson, Resident Director in Housing and Residence Life, was published in the fall report of the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO). Zach’s work is titled “Building Better Programs: A Guide from Someone Who Isn’t Great at Programming.”

Jason Harville, Assistant Director of Residence Education for Academic Initiatives in Housing and Residence Life, has been accepted to present at the 48th Annual National Organization for Student Success (NOSS) conference in Las Vegas in February 2024.

Throughout the semester, several EMSA offices organized events to commemorate and advocate for diversity. The Office of Multicultural Affairs curated events and initiatives in observance of Native American Heritage Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. Student Success Programs orchestrated First Gen Week, a dedicated celebration for first-generation students at UTC.

Additionally, students had the opportunity to partake in International Education Week, organized by The Center for Global Education—an annual event acknowledging the advantages of global education and exchange on a worldwide scale.

Reminders

Staff Spotlight

In 2023, three EMSA employees at a university division were honored with Chancellor’s Blue Ribbon Awards:

  1. Eddrick Brooks (January 2023 Recipient – Club Sports Coordinator):
    • Recognized for his impactful efforts in revitalizing Club Sports programs after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Acknowledged for his genuine care and compassion, which breathed new life into clubs by helping them recruit members and facilitating gatherings, practices, and games.
  2. Stephanie Orr (August 2023 Recipient – Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions):
    • Honored for her critical role in the success of University High, particularly in managing the application and interview process for students.
    • Recognized for dedicating valuable time during a high-volume season in Admissions, contributing significantly to the university’s connection with Hamilton County Schools and the Chattanooga community.
  3. Brandalyn Shropshire (October 2023 Recipient – Associate Director of Engagement in Undergraduate Admissions):
    • Acknowledged for her impactful efforts in coordinating campus tours and enhancing access to the campus.
    • Praised for holding weekend training sessions, providing snacks for tour guides at her own expense, and creating a Spanish-speaking campus tour with a student and faculty panel.

Appointments, Promotions and Retirements

  • Iqra Sheikh is the new International Graduate Student Advisor at the Center for Global Education.
  • Jason Harville accepted the role of Assistant Director of Residence Education for Academic Initiatives in Housing and Residence Life.
  • Jon Daniel joined the Center for Career and Leadership Development as our Career Counselor. 
  • Christian Henderson is the new Assistant Director for Student Career Engagement at the Center for Career and Leadership Development.

Campus Events

Spring 2024 Orientation

The Office of New Student & Family Programs will host Orientation sessions for incoming freshmen and transfer students on December 5, 2023 and January 4, 2024. Students can register for Orientation on the UTC website.

Late Night Breakfast

The Office of Student and Family Engagement will host the annual Late Night Breakfast from 9 to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5 in the University Center Food Court. This study break event provides students with free food and fun activities to help them fuel up for finals. To volunteer for this event, sign up here.

Fall Commencement Ceremonies

The Fall 2023 commencement ceremony for graduate students is scheduled for Friday, December 15, at 2:30 p.m. and will take place at McKenzie Arena. On Saturday, December 16, there will be two ceremonies for undergraduate students at McKenzie Arena.

Graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering and Computer Science will participate in the 9 a.m. ceremony, while those from the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and the College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies will have their ceremony at 1 p.m. Additional details about the commencement can be found on the UTC website.

Spring 2024 Semester Begins

The first day of classes for the Spring 2024 semester is Monday, January 8. Students have until Sunday, January 14 to add or drop classes and until Sunday, January 21 to withdraw from classes

Winter Welcome 2024

Winter Welcome is scheduled for Monday, January 8 to Friday, January 12, 2024. If you have an event to welcome students back to spring semester, please submit details using the online form by Friday, January 5 at 1 p.m. 

Military-Connected Student Supply Drop and Military Family Game Night

Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA) will host a supply drop for military-connected students on January 9, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room 143 of the University Center. Students will receive free school supplies donated by our community partners and a free enrichment package courtesy of Scrappy’s Cupboard. Later in the evening, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., VMA will host a family game night with ping pong games and a billiard tournament with the Office of Student and Family Engagement in the game room of the University Center.

Black History Month

The Office of Multicultural Affairs invites submissions for impactful, interactive and cooperative programs for Black History Month 2024. This year, our focus is on the theme “African Americans and the Arts,” emphasizing transformative experiences crafted by African Americans throughout history and in the present, as well as envisioning the future of artistic expression. If your department or office is organizing an event or program, please submit details through Mocsync.  

Help Us Add to the Flock!

Photo of students posing with Scrappy

Those who know and love UTC are the best ambassadors and recruiters for our University. That’s where you come in. We rely on everyone in the EMSA division to help us find great students to welcome to our campus community. Here’s how you can make a difference and help us add more Mocs to our flock.

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