Dr. Mina Sartipi, Brett Fuchs honored as 2024 UT System President’s Award recipients

Dr. Mina Sartipi, left, and Brett Fuchs are recipients of 2024 UT System President’s Awards. Photos by Angela Foster.

Two members of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga family, Dr. Mina Sartipi and Associate Dean of Students Brett Fuchs, have been announced as 2024 President’s Award winners—the highest accolade an employee can receive from the UT System.

UT System President Randy Boyd announced the 15 faculty and staff members from across the statewide UT System during the just-completed annual UT Board of Trustees meeting in Knoxville.

“The President’s Awards highlight the exceptional work and commitment demonstrated by our faculty and staff throughout Tennessee,” Boyd said in the UT System announcement. “Their contributions are invaluable in making this the greatest decade in UT history. It is an honor and privilege to work alongside them in serving the people of our great state.”

Sartipi won the President’s Award in the “Nimble and Innovative” category, an award that honors an individual who “inspires creative and transformational action. Behaviors include trying new things and keeping what works, embracing change and removing barriers.”

Sartipi, who joined the UTC faculty in 2006, is executive director of the UTC Research Institute, founding director of the University’s Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP) and Guerry Professor of Computer Science and Engineering.

“I am honored to have been among the ‘Nimble and Innovative’ category nominees and, in addition to my gratitude for this kind and generous recognition, I appreciate the extraordinary opportunities made available to me by and through the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and our collaborators within the UT System and the city of Chattanooga,” Sartipi said.

She was cited in her nomination letter for “guiding the futures of five Ph.D. students, three master’s students, two undergraduate students and Research Experiences for Undergraduate students from UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute.” This year, she also mentored 12 high school students who engaged in Smart City research through their capstone projects.

In addition, Sartipi has submitted 12 research proposals that have resulted in over $4 million in funding for smart initiatives.

Fuchs was the recipient of the President’s Award in the “Excel in All We Do” category. The award honors an individual who “commits to continuous improvement and outstanding performance. Behaviors include setting high standards, pursuing learning and growth, and recognizing and celebrating quality.”

Fuchs, who came to UTC in 2016, serves as associate dean of students, director of student conduct, director of Student Outreach and Support, chairperson of the University-wide Case Assessment, Review and Evaluation (CARE) Team, and deputy Title IX coordinator.

“I am humbled to have been nominated and honored to have been selected for the UT President’s Award for ‘Excel In All We Do,’” Fuchs said. “The UTC community is a special place that I have been lucky to be part of over the last eight years. Our community continues to be one where students feel safe, supported and welcome because of the hard work of excellent colleagues across campus. Thank you to my team and colleagues for all of their support.”

Fuchs was recognized in his nomination letter for consistently demonstrating outstanding leadership and expertise in overseeing the Office of Student Conduct and the Office of Student Outreach and Support.

“As chief student conduct officer, Brett has been entrusted with the crucial responsibility of reviewing, administering and overseeing our institution’s student code of conduct and honor code … The diligence and attention to detail have ensured that our campus maintains a respectful and safe environment conducive to learning and personal growth.”

Fuchs has been instrumental in developing and implementing various student support programs, most notably Scrappy’s Cupboard, the Student Emergency Fund, and an off-campus student services program. Among these initiatives, Scrappy’s Cupboard stands out as a beacon of support for addressing food insecurity at UTC.

The President’s Awards were established in 2016 to annually recognize the exceptional achievements of employees across the statewide UT System. Honorees are chosen from a system-wide pool of candidates nominated by campus and institute leaders. Each winner receives a commemorative plaque inspired by the University of Tennessee president’s medallion and a monetary award of $3,000.

In addition to UTC, this year’s recipients—the largest cohort in the program’s history—represent UT Knoxville, UT Southern, UT Martin, UT Health Science Center, UT Institute for Agriculture, UT Institute for Public Service, and the UT Space Institute in Tullahoma, a part of UT Knoxville.