Faculty and staff leaders from all UT System campuses came to UTC for the February 2025 Leadership Institute. Photo courtesy of Jason Moody/UT System.
The University of Tennessee Leadership Institute program was held in Chattanooga in late February, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was well-represented among the participants and speakers.
The UT Leadership Institute recognizes and trains leaders within the UT System to develop their skills and understanding of leadership’s role in higher education. Approximately 50 participants from UT institutions and administrative units are invited to attend.
“Each campus had the opportunity to nominate people that they thought should participate in the Leadership Institute. It was an effort to support those individuals whom their campus thought showed leadership potential and opportunities for growth,” said Dr. Valerie Rutledge, dean of the UTC College of Health, Education and Professional Studies—who served as a small group facilitator during the institute.
“My sense is the people who went through it left with a lot of new connections, with a better sense of what they might want to look for in the future, with a chance to say, ‘I now have someone I can ask—as a mentor, a friend and a colleague—about something I might not be certain about.’”
Individuals from UTC in this year’s cohort included:
- Dr. Frank Butler, UTC Foundation professor of management in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and director of the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program
- John Freeze, director of the Center for Professional Education
- Aaron Grisham, executive director of the University Center and the Aquatic and Recreation Center
- Erica Holmes-Trujillo, director of The Hub in the College of Arts and Sciences
- Nora Ketron, assistant professor of practice and director of access services for the UTC Library
- Dr. Tara Mathis, associate dean of students and director of the Multicultural Center
- Dr. Marcus Mauldin, associate professor, Political Science and Public Service
- Laura Petrus, director of Student and Family Engagement
- Kimberly Thomas, director of the Joseph F. Decosimo Success Center in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business
Much like the academic rigor that shapes leading researchers at the University, the Leadership Institute offers a research-driven foundation designed to develop leadership expertise among UT administrators. Through hands-on, experiential learning, participants refine and apply their leadership skills in real-world scenarios.
“There were so many great takeaways from this program,” Freeze said. “Of course, it would be impossible to list anything more meaningful than getting to know such wonderful people.
“There were quite a few meaningful learning opportunities—from having a better understanding of our strengths to the opportunities to engage in meaningful problem-solving strategies with real-world scenarios.”
Established in 1981, the Leadership Institute boasts a network of more than 1,000 alumni—including many distinguished leaders from across the state. Held every other year, the institute selects participants through nominations from administrative leaders at each UT campus and institute. Nominees are chosen for their track record of success and demonstrated skills in leadership, management and mentoring.
“While I was excited and eager to engage in the LI (Leadership Institute), when we checked in on Sunday, I don’t think I had a full understanding of what a special opportunity it was. I never imagined how meaningful it would be for me,” Holmes-Trujillo said. “As is the case with most professional development, I gained insight, knowledge and strategy to apply to my everyday work, but more important than that, the LI gave me relationships and friendships with people I would likely never have otherwise met within the UT system.
“The LI gave me the opportunity to hear and then witness—in action, by real people—the Be One UT values.”
Throughout the institute, participants engaged in intensive small- and large-group sessions exploring topics such as personal leadership styles, organizational dynamics, campus culture and key issues in higher education.
In addition to Rutledge, others from UTC who served as speakers or facilitators included:
- Dr. Beth Crawford, UC Foundation professor and department head and programs advisor of Applied Leadership and Learning
- Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste, vice provost for Academic Outreach
- Dr. Laure Pou, assistant vice chancellor for Human Resources
- Dr. David Rausch, professor and dean of the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies and LEAD Programs Director
