April Van Brunt, a mother of four and a nontraditional student in the UTC Master of Education: Elementary Education program, has spent the past year participating in the “Grow Your Own” initiative—which aims to help address the current teacher shortage and get more qualified teachers in classrooms. She now teaches kindergarten at Red Bank Elementary School and will graduate with honors during UTC’s Graduate School commencement on Friday, May 2.
UTC sophomore heading to Taiwan after landing prestigious Critical Language Scholarship
UTC sophomore Vinny Nguyen is taking his passion for language, diplomacy and international engagement across the world. Nguyen, a double major in political science international/comparative studies and economics international public policy with a minor in Asian studies, has been selected for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study Mandarin in Taiwan this summer. He will spend two months at Tamkang University in New Taipei City—from June 17-Aug. 15—as part of the prestigious U.S. Department of State initiative.
‘Now and forever’: UTC, Chattanooga celebrate Mocs basketball team’s NIT title
On Thursday, April 17, the Mocs men’s basketball team was celebrated in grand fashion with a downtown Chattanooga parade that culminated in a rally at Miller Park. The event brought together students, alums, faculty and community members to honor the team’s historic postseason run—which ended with UTC’s first-ever NIT title.
UTC senior’s journey sparks opportunity with CLS Korean scholarship
UTC senior Durand Henderson, a United States Air Force veteran and nontraditional student majoring in business administration with a concentration in economics—to go with minors in personal finance and political science—has been selected for the prestigious Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Spark program for Korean.
Social work students take advocacy to heart during State Capitol visit
For social work students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the 2025 Social Work Day on the Hill was more than a visit to the Capitol—it was an opportunity to bring real-world advocacy to life. Day on the Hill, organized by the Tennessee chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, gives social work students the chance to see the legislative process in action while learning how advocacy can shape their professional paths.
UTC earns Top 10 national recognition for military student support
For the first time in school history, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has been ranked among the nation’s Top 10 large public universities in the Military Friendly® Schools rankings—a designation that recognizes excellence in creating sustainable and meaningful educational paths for military-connected students.
Students and donors connect at the annual Scholarship Luncheon
The 2025 Scholarship Luncheon, held April 4 in the Wolford Family Athletic Center, brought together UTC scholarship recipients and the donors who support their education.
An investment in Honors
“An honors education is a fantastic example of undergraduate education at its best,” UTC alum Richard Zhang said. “Small seminar classes, the reading of classics, the interdisciplinary studies and the hugely collaborative culture between the faculty and the students and among the students: these things helped transform me into who I am today.”
Inspiring innovation: UTC’s signature research conference brings campus and community together
The Spring Research and Arts Conference returns on Wednesday, April 9, continuing its tradition of showcasing student and faculty research, innovation and creativity. Presented by the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor, the conference highlights the breadth and depth of research happening at UTC—featuring more than 650 presenters and 320 unique research projects throughout the day.
UTC mini-grants pushing research from concept to creation
All MOCS Innovate! grant recipients will present their work at the inaugural MOCS Innovate! UTC Innovators Showcase during the Spring Research and Arts Conference on Wednesday, April 9.