Laura Petrus (left) and Chris Stokes address the crowd at the grand opening of the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community. Photo by Angela Foster.
On Wednesday, Jan. 14, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga celebrated the grand opening of its Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community (CSLEC) with an afternoon designed for students to stop by, hang out and get a feel for the new Lupton Hall space.
The event brought the campus community together for food, games, a photo booth, button making and giveaways, including free succulents and sweatshirts. Throughout the afternoon, students moved through the center, talked with staff and learned more about the programs and support housed in the space.
CSLEC brings together many areas of student involvement, including fraternity and sorority life, registered student organizations, leadership programs, and campus traditions such as Homecoming and Welcome Week.
For Laura Petrus, director of the center, the work comes back to student connection and success.
“I think the functional areas that come out of the center are important for students’ overall success,” Petrus said. “It helps them connect with other students. It helps provideleadership development opportunities and really just gives them the opportunity to make connections that can expand beyond their college career.”
She said the grand opening signals a new approach to engagement and leadership development at UTC.
“It’s an exciting time for us to really reimagine what engagement and community look like and relaunch leadership programs on our campus,” she said. “It’s about helping students become more well-rounded and more successful overall at UTC and beyond.”
During his welcome remarks, Chris Stokes, assistant director of the center, spoke directly to students in attendance.
“As an educator for over 21 years, the two things that I’ve learned in my time here are that every one of you belongs here and none of you are alone,” Stokes said. “Your journey at this institution—or if you’re connected with us through the community—you’re a part of our UTC family, and each and every one of you has a special place here.”
Stokes said CSLEC is meant to help students build those connections with one another.
“We are so excited through this new space to connect with you and help you connect with others,” he said.
Dr. Artanya Wesley, vice chancellor of enrollment management and student affairs, said the opening marked an important moment for student life at UTC.
“These experiences are simply not extracurricular. They are transformational,” Wesley said. “They build confidence in our students, strengthen relationships with our students, and prepare our students to lead with integrity and purpose.”
Wesley described the center as a place where students can find support, build relationships and get involved in ways that matter to them.
“This space is our students’ refuge, a place where students can escape, where they are affirmed,” she said. “They will be supported and will be seen. This is a place where growth happens through connection, dialogue, service and shared experience. Here, students will find community.”
Learn more
Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community
Photo gallery by Angela Foster
