Back row, from left: Dr. Jason Peter (ABSN Program Coordinator and Mary B. Jackson Assistant Professor), Kim White (Vice Chancellor of Advancement), Chancellor Steve Angle, Rick McKenney (Unum President and Chief Executive Officer) and Esther Obi (ABSN student). Front row: Rachel Hargis (Unum Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility), Dr. Latisha Toney (Assistant Professor), Dr. Chris Smith (UC Foundation Professor and Director of the School of Nursing; Chief Health Affairs Officer), Liz Ahmed (Unum Executive Vice President of People and Communications) and Matthew “David” King (BSN student starting in the fall). Photo by Omar Dedovic/UTC Advancement.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is pleased to announce that Unum Group, a leading international provider of workplace benefits and services, has made a $500,000 grant and become the School of Nursing’s Premier Mental Health Partner at the new Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building, slated to begin construction later this year.
The partnership will leverage Unum Group’s expertise for their qualified Unum Clinical team to serve as adjunct clinical professors; contribute to community and mental health curriculum and programming; and provide tools, including resiliency training and/or support groups, for nursing students.
“As our community, like the rest of the country, suffers from a severe nursing shortage, we are thankful that Unum is investing in our campus and nursing program so we can meet this critical community need and grow our nursing program enrollment by more than 150% with this new facility,” said UTC Chancellor Steven R. Angle.
Named the top Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the country by Nurse.org, the UTC School of Nursing program boasts a 100% employment rate and a five-year average pass rate of 97% on the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates.
“At Unum, we see the critical role nurses play in our customers’ journeys every day,” said Liz Ahmed, Unum Group’s executive vice president, People and Communications. “Whether they are supporting patients through cancer treatments or helping new parents welcome their child into the world, nurses are vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Our investment in UTC’s nursing program ensures that the next generation of nursing students has the tools and resources they need to succeed now and into the future.”
The UTC School of Nursing accepts approximately 50% of applicants, turning down eligible students due to space and class size limitations. Approximately 90,000 square feet, the new Dorothy and Jim Kennedy Health Sciences Building will allow for increased enrollment, access to state-of-the-art classrooms and a cutting-edge simulation lab to educate future nurses.
“The majority of our BSN graduates, 71%, remain in the Chattanooga area to work once they complete their degree, and this number jumps to 83% for our Family Nurse Practitioner graduates,” said Dr. Chris Smith, director of the UTC School of Nursing. “This gift is a vital investment in our University, students and the quality of care our entire community needs.”
Along with an $8 million naming gift from the Kennedy Foundation, Inc., announced in 2023, the project’s cost will be funded through donations and state resources with a building campaign goal of $21 million. The new building, set to break ground later this year at the corner of Palmetto and East 3rd Streets, has an anticipated completion in late 2026.
To learn more about the project, visit give.utc.edu/KennedyHealthSciencesBuilding.
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About Division of Advancement
The mission of the Division of Advancement at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is to build meaningful connections for all Mocs and inspire generosity for Chattanooga’s university. By fostering relationships and investment, UTC Advancement strategically brings together alumni, donors and friends of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for the collective betterment of our campus and city.
About Unum Group
Unum Group (NYSE: UNM), a leading international provider of workplace benefits and services, has been helping workers and their families thrive for more than 175 years. Through its Unum and Colonial Life brands, the company offers disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental, vision and stop-loss insurance; leave and absence management support; and behavioral health services. In 2023, Unum Group reported revenues of more than $12 billion and paid approximately $8 billion in benefits. The Fortune 500 company is recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere®. Visit the Unum Group newsroom for more information, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
