Matt McAllister spent the fall 2025 semester as a student writer in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Division of Communications and Marketing, completing his bachelor’s degree in communication. He is a 2021 graduate of Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
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Matt McAllister will graduate from UTC with a bachelor’s degree in communication on Saturday, Dec. 13. Photo by Angela Foster.
My time at UTC has been excellent, but my college journey didn’t begin here. In fact, it took a few unexpected turns before I found the place that felt right.
My college experience began in 2021, when COVID-19 was still shaping the world and everyone’s plans. I originally intended to attend Western Kentucky University, but something in me kept saying it wasn’t the right choice. Trusting that feeling, I changed direction and decided to start college at Volunteer State Community College instead.
That transition, from high school to college during COVID, was challenging. Classes felt distant, routines felt strange and the whole experience seemed almost unreal. While many of my friends went off to large universities and settled into traditional college life, I stayed home with my family. Even though I was grateful to be with them, I often felt isolated, unsure of what “college” was supposed to feel like.
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Adding to this uncertainty was the question of what I wanted to study. I had many interests, but amid the world’s chaos, it was hard to feel grounded or confident in any direction. Eventually, I chose to major in communication—a decision I am grateful for.
Even though I didn’t make many friends at Vol State, that period became a time of focus and growth. I made my education my priority, and working toward transferring to a larger university became my long-term goal. I learned the foundations of communication studies from professors who truly supported me. I even worked as a sports broadcaster in the communications department, which helped me feel connected and involved.
When my two years at Vol State came to an end, I found myself stuck once again. I had no idea where I wanted to transfer and finish my bachelor’s degree. Ironically, UTC was at the bottom of my list at first. I didn’t think I would be interested in it at all. But my sister, who was already a student at UTC, and my parents encouraged me to take a campus tour.
I’m incredibly grateful I listened to them. The moment I visited UTC, something clicked. I fell in love with Chattanooga—the city’s energy, the campus and the University’s atmosphere.
In 2023, I moved to Chattanooga, and that’s when college finally felt real. Leaving my comfort zone—my home, my family, and the familiarity of the past two years—was overwhelming. As a transfer student, I felt like everyone had already found their friend groups, and I worried I wouldn’t fit in after spending so much time isolated during COVID.
But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Within my first month, I started connecting with students who quickly became close friends. I finally felt the sense of community and belonging that I had been missing.
I joined the UTC Esports Club, started attending sporting events around the city and became involved in campus life in ways that made the University feel like home. Those experiences, combined with the friendships I built, gave me a genuine college experience, one I once thought I would never have.
Toward the end of my degree, I was required to complete an internship, which led me to my role this semester as a writing intern for UTC’s Division of Communications and Marketing. This internship has been one of the most meaningful parts of my college career. It strengthened my writing, introduced me to so many great people, and allowed me to contribute to the University that has already given me so much.
Looking ahead, I hope that students who feel lost or uncertain—just like I once did—can see that college doesn’t have to be intimidating or discouraging. Sometimes, the right place finds you when you least expect it. For me, UTC didn’t just educate me; it gave me some of the best years of my life.
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UTC Department of Communication
“The moment I visited UTC,” Matt McAllister said, “something clicked. I fell in love with Chattanooga—the city’s energy, the campus and the University’s atmosphere.”
