On Tuesday, March 19, Chattanooga State Community College students got a glimpse into the Moc’s experience of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students.
UTC spent the day at ChattState as part of the Power C Tour—an effort to connect prospective students with UTC and show them what the University has to offer.
Guests had the opportunity to speak with representatives from all four UTC colleges, faculty, advisors, financial aid experts and current students.
Attendees could also apply to UTC for free and register to win scholarships while enjoying food and UTC swag.
Carrie Sherbesman, director of UTC New Student and Family Programs, said that bringing UTC to ChattState made it easier for students to learn about various resources and programs in one place at one time.
“We want to remove barriers as much as possible so we can bring our campus to ChattState and get their questions answered. I think that’s really helpful,” she said.
Lee Pierce, assistant vice chancellor of enrollment management, said that through the ChattState UTC Connect program, students are guaranteed admission to UTC as long as they have a 2.0 GPA and complete two years at ChattState.
“We are helping with advising and making that transition smooth,” Pierce said. “This is a way for us to have a presence on campus and say, ‘Hey, we’re here and we’re just down the road.’
“There’s lots of good connections and relationships that happen when you come here and just spend some time.”
For Dr. Artanya Wesley, it was her first Power C Tour event since joining UTC as vice chancellor of enrollment management and student affairs in February.
“I love the energy,” Wesley said. “I love to see the smiling faces, the ChattState president (Dr. Rebecca Ashford), the colleges, our student support services and our departments at UTC present here. They are warm, welcoming, engaging and informative about who we are at UTC and what we can offer.”
Wesley highlighted the importance of UTC visiting ChattState, where many students plan to continue their education at a four-year university.
“Anytime that we have a partnership like this as an institution,” she said, “it is so important to come to their home. To come into their comfort zones, the spaces and places where students are living and learning where they are most comfortable—and to show that we are here and that the transition will be smooth.”
ChattState students Joshua Clay and C.J. McKissic each won a $1,000 scholarship at the event.
Clay—who is also a ChattState student life ambassador—not only plans to come to UTC this fall to pursue a degree in accounting, but he is already planning to stay for his master’s.
“I already have the connections I made while working and going to school here,” Clay said, “so it was an easy move to make.”
He said he now feels a step closer to his journey at UTC.
“It feels so welcoming,” he said. “The nervous jitters I had about transferring are already going away.”
Chattanooga State Community College student Joshua Clay was one of two awarded the $1,000 Power C Tour Scholarship presented by ChattState President Rebecca Ashford, left, and UTC Vice Chancellor Artanya Wesley. Photo by Angela Foster.
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