The Rocket Mocs have plans to ascend to new heights. The team, comprised of junior and senior mechanical engineering students in the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, has been accepted into the 2025 Student Launch Challenge—an annual competition sponsored by NASA—for the seventh consecutive year.
Coloring outside the lines: UTC criminal justice students blend art, ethics and community service
This fall, students in Dr. Katelyn Hancock’s “Ethics in Criminal Justice” course are confronting complex ethical issues in policing, courts and corrections through the lens of art. The project, titled “Pouring for Purpose,” invites students to create abstract paintings that explore ethical dilemmas and potential solutions within the justice system.
The people of UTC: Get to know Jordan King
Dr. Jordan King, director of the Innovations in Honors program in the Honors College, answered some questions about his role and how students can get involved in the program.
Hands-on learning: UTC communication classes collaborate with local nonprofits for public relations projects
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Communication is partnering with 10 local nonprofits to help students gain real work experience outside the classroom. Lecturer David Norman and Assistant Professor Tony Cepak are the two UTC faculty members leading the course, which is a combination of Public Relations Campaigns and Publication Design II classes. The 40 students in the course are divided into 10 groups of four and are assigned a nonprofit to work with throughout the semester.
Fast track to cyber success: How an email changed a UTC student’s career trajectory
Trevor Lessenberry was sitting on the beach during the summer of 2023, mobile phone in hand, when an email popped up and showed him his future. The message described the UTC accelerated Bachelor of Applied Science: Information Technology in Cybersecurity, or BAS-IT CyS, program—which launched in January 2023.
HHP Sports Lab prepares students for careers through hands-on learning and community partnership
The Health and Human Performance Sports Lab is setting the stage for students to dive deep into careers in sports science, exercise physiology and public health. Through a collaboration with Fast Break Athletics, a local running specialty store, the lab offers hands-on learning opportunities that translate into real-world skills—all while strengthening Chattanooga’s fitness community.
Bridging cultures and disciplines: Hassan Afzal’s unique journey from Bangladesh to UTC
Dr. Hassan Afzal’s path to UTC is anything but typical, with an academic background as varied as it is impressive. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from American International University-Bangladesh, two master’s degrees—in IT and business—from the University of Dhaka, an MBA from Idaho State University and a Ph.D. from Kent State University in Ohio.
Collaboration involving UTC chemical engineering students and area high schoolers wins ‘Grand Challenge’ funding to expand approach
Fifty Brainerd High School students showed Dr. Bradley Harris the power of “problem-based learning” (PBL) and are the inspiration behind a winning proposal for a UT System “Grand Challenges” grant. Harris, associate professor and head of the UTC Department of Chemical Engineering, is principal investigator for the proposal titled “Thermal runaway in EV batteries: A transformational PBL unit for high school chemistry.” Dr. Stephanie Philipp, assistant professor of education and director of the UTC STEM Education Program, is co-principal investigator.
The people of UTC: Get to know Trey Straussberger
Dr. Trey Straussberger answered some questions to explain how he can help students accomplish their college dreams.
Research chronicles: UTC’s Biology, Geology and Environmental Science faculty land $1.8 million in external funding
A trio of research proposals led by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science (BGE) faculty members has secured over $1.8 million in external grant and contract awards, marking a successful summer for funding.