UTC Veteran and Military Affairs is led by Associate Director Robert Dorsett and Director Sylvana Matthews. Photo by Angela Foster.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has been named a Top Yellow Ribbon School by U.S. Veterans Magazine, earning national recognition for its support of military-connected students.
The honor puts UTC in select company nationwide. It also puts something else in focus: the people and programs behind that support.
“This recognition is significant because it reflects the commitment of not just our office but the entire UTC community,” said Sylvana Matthews, director of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (VMA). “It takes a campus-wide effort. Our staff, ambassadors and partners all play a role in creating a strong support network for military-connected students. These honors show that UTC is a place where veterans and their families are truly supported.”
Matthews, whose father served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, oversees a team serving students with active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, veteran or dependent status.
“With 15% to 20% of our student body connected to the military, that presence naturally shapes our campus culture,” she said.
After Matthews arrived at UTC in 2021, she established the Veteran and Military Affairs Student Ambassador Program. An essential component of this initiative is that UTC students play an important role in easing the transition.
“Ambassadors serve as peer connectors and mentors and are often the first friendly face a new student sees,” she said. “They help others navigate campus, connect to resources and feel a sense of belonging. Whether it’s a tour, a laptop or a calculator from our Tech for Vets program, they help remove barriers so students can focus on their success.”
She said the greater impact comes from shared experience and community.
“At UTC, everything we do is grounded in community and relationships,” Matthews explained. “Many of our military-connected students naturally become part of a peer support system, and dependents often bring a unique understanding that helps others feel more comfortable and welcomed.
“That familiarity can break down communication barriers and create a more profound sense of belonging. It’s that shared commitment across the University that allows us to go above and beyond in serving our military-connected community.”
UTC has been named a Top Yellow Ribbon School by U.S. Veterans Magazine
Marine Corps veteran Robert Dorsett joined Veteran and Military Affairs as associate director in 2022. Drawing from his own experiences navigating college after service, he brings a personalized mindset to the way UTC supports military-connected students.
“Each VMA staff member takes a holistic, case-management approach, considering not only students’ educational needs but also their personal and professional goals,” Dorsett said. “We work closely with each student to establish both short- and long-term goals … and we regularly review and update these plans throughout the semester to reflect changes in the student’s journey.”
Dorsett, who began his academic journey at Estrella Mountain Community College in Arizona, continued his educational studies after arriving in Chattanooga—receiving an MBA in May 2025.
“Earning my MBA at UTC was more than a professional milestone; it was a personal transformation,” he added. “It allowed me to take my military foundation and build upon it with knowledge, insight and confidence to lead in a new environment.”
Durand Henderson
Student veteran Durand Henderson enrolled at UTC in 2022 and quickly became part of the VMA’s ambassador program. A U.S. Air Force veteran majoring in business administration with a concentration in economics, he’s on track to graduate in December.
“The Veteran and Military Affairs office serves as a ‘clubhouse’ where we can come together and support each other, much like we did during our time in the service,” Henderson said. “It’s not just about academic or financial support; it’s about the camaraderie … the fellowship we share in this community.”
Henderson’s time at UTC has become a shared family experience. His wife, who is a Navy veteran, is starting her UTC journey this fall.
The VMA office, he said, “has been helping her understand which benefits are available to her, how to use them and—most importantly—making sure she feels comfortable and welcomed during this transition.”
UTC awards academic credit for military experience and helps students understand how military transcripts are reviewed and applied. The VMA office also connects students with on- and off-campus partners, from Financial Aid to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Collaborations with Career Connections and the American Job Center help military-connected students move toward internships, job placements and long-term goals. Those types of partnerships are essential, Matthews explained.
“Looking ahead, one of our biggest goals is to deepen the connection between our campus and the broader Chattanooga community,” she said. “In veteran and military programming, it truly takes a village. That spirit of collaboration—bringing community resources to campus and inviting campus partners to engage more intentionally with military-connected students—is where we see real impact.”
At UTC, that impact has a rallying cry.
“We proudly live by the motto ‘Go Mocs! Go Vets!’” Matthews said. “It was already here when I arrived about four years ago, but I loved it immediately. It captures both the school spirit and the pride our veterans feel in being part of something bigger. It shows up in everything we do—from daily programming to tailgates and campus events.
“It’s simple, but it reflects our mission perfectly: We’re all Mocs, and we’re all in this together.”
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