Dr. Trey Straussberger wants students to know “that my office exists and I’m here to help them.” Photo by Angela Foster.
Dr. Trey Straussberger serves as the director of the Office of National Scholarships at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Straussberger, a native of Chattanooga, came to UTC last December after serving in a similar role as interim director of the Office of Competitive Fellowships at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Not only is he “so happy” to be back in Chattanooga, but he said he is also proud to be at UTC.
Straussberger answered some questions to explain how he can help students accomplish their college dreams.
What is the Office of National Scholarships?
“The Office of National Scholarships helps students identify and achieve their professional and personal goals by guiding them through a series of experiences. These experiences range from scholarships to study abroad, research opportunities and even preparing for graduate school.
“A lot of students that I talk with have not only never left the United States, but never left the Southeast. They see study abroad as something that is just not achievable for them, so I help them apply for scholarships.
“Some students may go on a three-week trip to Kenya or spend a summer doing research in the STEM fields at another university. It’s about helping students expand their horizons and providing them with opportunities they may not have thought possible.
“This past year, we were really successful in having two students who were awarded National Science Foundation fellowships, which pays for three years of a Ph.D. program.
“My office goes beyond that. I talk with students a lot about what they want to do after they graduate and how that’s going to advance their interests. I talk with students a lot about the Peace Corps, which I’m a returned Peace Core volunteer myself, and it was very transformative in my professional and personal trajectory.”
How do you engage students from all academic departments?
“Although I’m housed in the Honors College, I serve the entire University. A big emphasis for me is closing the knowledge gap; many students don’t even know these opportunities exist. I make it a point to meet as many people as possible across campus, whether it’s presenting to first-generation students or going to department meetings. I emphasize making connections with faculty and staff because they are on the ground and can identify which students could benefit from these types of awards.
“It’s all about being present, going to as many events as possible, meeting as many offices and students as possible, and really just making students aware throughout the UTC community that my office exists and I’m here to help them.”
What are some of the most appealing scholarships you can help students get?
“The Fulbright is a big one. It allows students to either work as an English teaching assistant, study at a university or conduct research in over 100 countries. It’s a prestigious, year-long program funded by the State Department.
“One student’s experience, Emma Sprayberry, is indicative of what my office can do and how UTC affects students. She grew up in a rural area outside of Chattanooga and never really thought about going abroad, but through a series of experiences is now on the path to being one of those students that UTC uses as an example of how UTC can transform students’ lives.
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Click here to read more about Emma Sprayberry’s Fulbright Scholarship to Taiwan.
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“We also have a bunch of students who have done research through the National Science Foundation, which are good stepping-stone grants for students.
“I’m really trying to emphasize supporting students who are interested in the social good of trying to make their communities, cities and nation better through awards like the Truman Scholarship, which sets students up to apply to graduate school.
“The Rangel Fellowship trains the next generation of foreign service officers in the State Department, who will go overseas and work in the U.S. Embassy.”
How do you help first-year students who might not be looking to apply for scholarships until later?
“I always feel bad when a motivated fourth-year student comes in; I wish I had met them earlier. For first-year students, it’s about setting a plan early. I sit down with them to discuss their goals and how they can achieve them. I encourage them to build relationships with faculty, who are incredible resources, and I help them connect with local organizations. These early experiences are invaluable and can set students on a path to success.”
What do you think is most beneficial about studying abroad?
“Studying abroad expands your horizons. When I studied in London at the School of Oriental and African Studies, it deepened my interest in African history. I like to tell my students this story because I’ve seen similar transformations. For example, a recent graduate who studied in Spain is now applying for a Fulbright to teach Spanish.
“These experiences really broaden what students see as possible, which benefits not just them but the community. As Chattanooga grows into a more global city, having individuals who understand different cultures is a huge asset. That’s why it’s important for UTC to support study abroad, and I think the Honors College and the Center for Global Education are doing a great job with that.”
What’s your favorite place you’ve ever traveled to?
“One of my most memorable experiences was in Mali, where I was teaching at the University of Bamako. I had the chance to shadow a National Geographic filming crew in the Sahara Desert near Timbuktu, where we saw one of the last herds of desert elephants. The last day we were there, you see this wall of sand out in the distance. It was a storm coming through. After 10 minutes it was pitch dark, and it left a red, perpetual dusk after. It’s experiences like these that make studying abroad so valuable; I want students to have their own ‘sandstorm’ moments.”
Learn more
UTC Office of National Scholarships
