Introducing Our Division Newsletter
Welcome to the first issue of the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (EMSA) newsletter. As you can see, many great things are happening in our division. Let’s celebrate in each other’s successes and continue to work together brilliantly.
Sincerely,
Yancy Freeman, Ph.D.
Office of Strategic Enrollment Technology
Tonia Martin and Chuck Nalley, Director and Assistant Director, attended the 2019 CampusInsight conference in Orlando, Florida. Tonia was selected to attend the Executive Leadership Summit to discuss strategic opportunities and challenges in enrollment management.
Office of Student Support Services
The Office exceeded all of its objectives for their programs and services. Objectives include student persistence, good academic standing and graduation rates. The Black Male on Campus (BMOC) initiative has increased the six-year graduation rate of African-American male students to 79%. Led by Melissa Laseter, the tutoring program saw a 92% course pass rate.
University Career Services
Rob Liddell, Ph.D., Director, was appointed to serve as the Chair of the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE). Rob will draw upon prior board service on the Florida State Association and current service to the Tennessee State Association as he provides coordination and leadership to this diverse group.
Making it Easier to Transfer to UTC
The Records Office (in collaboration with the Banner Office) developed the Transfer Evaluation Self-Service (TESS), a free, easy-to-use online tool, giving prospective students a summary of how their previous college-level courses, military training and/or experience will apply toward their selected degree program.
More Student Organizations Added
The registered student organization community has grown by more than 30 organizations to reach a total of over 180 clubs in the last academic year. With the addition of clubs like the African Student Association, MocSec Cyber Defense and Art Club, students have the opportunity to engage in many diverse experiences on campus.
New Sports Complex Off to a Strong Start
The UTC Sports Complex, managed by Campus Recreation, is going on six months of operating and serving the student body as an outlet for outdoor recreation. The facility has seen more than 800 students participate in free play, club sports and intramural sports. UTC Women’s Soccer has made the complex their home and recently hosted three spring games. The complex has also served the community as a resource for GPS, Baylor, Signal Mountain, CGLA and even the Guatemalan professional team, Comunicaciones FC, came to practice on the field before a match with the Chattanooga Football Club.
Student Health Services Provides Free STI Testing and Hepatitis A Vaccines
Due to a new relationship with Cempa Community Care, free sexually transmitted infection testing and free Hepatitis A vaccines are offered to faculty, staff and students. The number of patient visits more than doubled in March from the pilot month. The last session of the semester will be April 24 from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. in Student Health Services. The free services will resume again in August.
UTC’s First Winter Welcome Week
Welcome Week isn’t just for fall anymore. The Office of the Dean of Students organized a new series of events to kick off spring 2019. Called Winter Welcome, seven fun and engaging events took place on January 7 – 11, 2019. Events included an on-campus spa with the Center for Student Wellbeing, a pool party at the ARC with Campus Recreation, Trivia Night with the Center for Women and Gender Equity, and a movie night at the AMC Majestic 12.
Staff Spotlight
Shirl Gholston, a staff member for more than 25 years, received two honors at the 2019 Southern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, INC (SAEOPP) conference in New Orleans, Louisiana—the Service Award for her unwavering dedication to advancing equal education opportunity and the Unsung Support Award for increasing the college success rates of underrepresented students at UTC. She was also recently initiated into the prestigious Alpha Scholastic Honor Society for creating and leading transformational, pioneering student success initiatives.
Appointments, Promotions and Retirements
- Lee Pierce has accepted the position as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management.
- Jason Lyon has assumed the role of Interim Director of Undergraduate Admissions.
- Jennifer Buckles has accepted the position as the Director of Business Affairs for the division.
- Kimberly Whiteside has assumed the role of Interim Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Chris Smith, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, Director of the School of Nursing, has accepted the position as the Chief Health Affairs Officer.
- Crystal Edenfield, Ed.D., has joined our team as the Director of Student Success Programs.
- Sandy Zitkus, University Registrar, is retiring on June 30 after 42 years of service to the university.
Late Night Breakfast: Thursday, April 25
Hundreds of students will head to Crossroads Dining Hall for a fun and relaxing study break, and of course, a free breakfast. Late Night Breakfast is a bi-annual program sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, UTC Dining and the Student Government Association.
Nooga Bound: Monday, April 22
The annual event, hosted at the Gaylord Springs Golf Links in Nashville, welcomes incoming students and their families to enjoy an evening of fun, food and information. Representatives from Admissions, Housing, Financial Aid, Orientation, Scholarships and Student Success will be on hand to answer any questions.
Commencement: May 3 and May 4
Graduation celebrations begin Friday, May 3 at 2 p.m. with Graduate Student Commencement. Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies follow on Saturday, May 4 at 9 a.m. for College of Arts and Science and College of Engineering and Computer Science and 1 p.m. for the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and College of Health, Education and Professional Studies.
Orientation
We will soon be welcoming a new class of Mocs to our campus. Freshmen orientation sessions begin in June and transfer student orientation sessions start at the end of April. Orientation for international students also begins this summer.
Freshmen Summer Success Programs
Moc Up and Bridge are back this June and are designed to get students excited about UTC, help them become familiar with our resources and to build community among new freshmen. An ideal participant would be eligible for the Pell grant, the first in their family to go to college, with a 3.3 GPA or less, or a 19 math ACT score or less. There are no costs for participating students. If you know a student who may be an ideal applicant, please complete the recommendation form.
Submit to the Newsletter
This newsletter was created to celebrate division accomplishments, impacts and hard work. Please submit ideas on how you and your staff are working together brilliantly. Have questions about the newsletter or need help with your submission? Email Laura Bond.
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