Chancellor Lori Bruce spoke at the 2026 Governors Conference discussing workforce development. Photo by Angela Foster.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Governor’s Conference (GovCon) brought together employers, local and state officials and key stakeholders Oct. 1-2 at the Chattanooga Convention Center to discuss the future of workforce development in Tennessee.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chancellor Lori Bruce welcomed economic and workforce developers, community leaders and industry partners to Chattanooga and thanked elected officials for their leadership at the Commissioner’s Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 1.
“This conference represents something we believe in deeply at UT Chattanooga,” Bruce said. “Economic development is a team sport.
“Whether we’re directly interacting with an economic development team, working on workforce needs or infrastructure that’s going to support our existing companies, we want to be a partner in economic development.”
The chancellor noted that 25% of incoming UTC first-year students are first-generation students and called that a “talent statistic.”
“Our first-generation students typically come from Tennessee families,” Bruce said. “Tennessee families building their first college graduate: that’s a socioeconomic transformation, not just for that student, but their entire family. It’s also a workforce transformation.
“We’re building a more college-educated workforce, opening the doors to higher-paying careers and strengthening our ability to attract and retain businesses in Tennessee.”
Postdoctoral Research Associate Mohmad Junaid Ul Haq discussing the Quantum Center at 2026 GovCon.
She highlighted UTC programs that prepare the next generation of workforce talent in nursing, engineering, education, business and computer science.
“Research is becoming an increasingly important part of that mission,” she said. “If a company has a production challenge, an engineering question, a technology that they need to validate or a workforce issue, we can bring the right people together and help them develop a solution.”
Bruce also mentioned emerging industries, including quantum technologies. She noted that UTC is at the forefront of education in the field through partnerships with EPB and the work of the UTC Quantum Center.
Later in the day, Quantum Center Director Rick Mukherjee spoke on the panel “Quantum is Coming: What it Means for the Future.” Representatives from the center also attended and staffed a table at the event to share information about research underway on campus.
A second table provided information about the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress and its work to advance transportation efficiency and safety—from electric vehicles and smart intersections to predictive technology and autonomous vehicles.
That night, UTC hosted the opening-night reception on Chamberlain Field with bluegrass music and an opportunity for attendees to connect.
“Whether we’re talking about autonomous vehicles, advanced manufacturing or quantum technology, the common thread at UT Chattanooga is partnership,” Bruce said at the luncheon. “For over 140 years, UTC has been a part of Chattanooga’s history, and as we look toward the next 140, we want to be an even stronger partner to all of the people in this room and to all of the communities throughout Tennessee.”
Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Artanya Wesley, Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Matt Matthews, and Interim Vice Chancellor for Research Mina Sartipi at the 2026 GovCon opening-night reception.
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Photo gallery by Angela Foster
