For the first time, the Chattanooga Police Department celebrated its academy graduation on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus. The UTC Department of Criminal Justice hosted the Sept. 4 ceremony in the Fine Arts Center’s Roland Hayes Concert Hall, where 14 graduates—including one fire investigator—received recognition for completing 22 weeks of training.
UTC criminal justice duo helping to bring hope to Chattanooga youth
Operated by Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, Camp HOPE typically serves children and teens ages 7 to 17, though exceptions are made for younger children and returning teens in leadership roles. The 2025 summer camp included some helping hands from UTC.
UTC Veteran and Military Affairs office receives MOAA grant to support student needs
A grant from the Chattanooga Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs will help make a difference for student veterans.
UTC’s Rick Dierenfeldt and Erica Holmes Trujillo honored with 2025 UT System President’s Awards
Two University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standouts, UC Foundation Associate Professor Rick Dierenfeldt and College of Arts and Sciences Student Success Center Director Erica Holmes Trujillo, have been named recipients of the 2025 UT System President’s Awards—the highest honor a faculty or staff member can receive from the UT System.
‘My entire life happened here’: Chello Gardner’s path to purpose at UTC
With 36 acceptance letters and full-ride scholarships from schools across the country and beyond—including an Ivy League institution—Chello Gardner had an important decision to make. Gardner will graduate with a degree in communication on Saturday, May 3. She tacked on minors in both criminal justice and women, gender and sexuality studies—and was a Brock Scholar in the Honors College—during her time at UTC.
UTC bringing realistic police training simulation to the classroom
A high-tech simulation, VirTra, will be introduced to the classroom in the fall. The program trainees to participate in realistic, scenario-based training where their decisions, verbal commands and reactions directly influence the outcome.
Peak performance: UTC criminal justice professor honored for innovation in teaching
UTC Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Katelyn Hancock has been named the recipient of the Ken Peak Innovations in Teaching Award by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). The Ken Peak Innovations in Teaching Award recognizes faculty members for innovative and effective teaching methods that enhance learning experiences and have the potential to be replicated by other educators.
UTC announces launch of the Violence Reduction Initiative
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has officially announced the creation of the Violence Reduction Initiative (VRI), a research center housed within the Department of Criminal Justice dedicated to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world solutions to violent crime in Chattanooga and beyond.
City of Chattanooga and UTC receive $2 million federal grant for CURV initiative
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Criminal Justice is partnering with the City of Chattanooga on the Chattanooga United to Reduce Violence (CURV) initiative, funded by a $1,999,187 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.
UTC announces spring 2025 dual enrollment options
High school juniors and seniors can now experience college-level learning through UTC’s newly announced spring 2025 dual-enrollment courses. Ten general education courses—chosen for their strong transferability to most four-year institutions—will be available in various formats: on the UTC campus after the high school day, online with set schedules, and online with flexible options.