Ellie Yates does not take learning opportunities for granted. In fact, when the UTC graduate student started her summer internship at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Chattanooga office, she made it her mission to take part in as many experiences as possible.
New and improved UTC police cars hit the campus roads
UTC Police and Public Safety just got a new blue-and-gold look. The new vehicles—which include redesigned graphics and updated Mocs colors—were nearly a year in the making, according to UTC Chief of Police and Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety Sean O’Brien.
UTC recognized among nation’s best veteran-supporting universities by Military Times
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has again been recognized by Military Times as one of the nation’s top universities for veterans and military-connected students. UTC placed second among Tennessee institutions and is the only university in the state recognized for offering both traditional in-person and online programs for veterans.
Zibin Guo’s next chapter: Empowerment in motion from Chattanooga to Bangladesh
When Dr. Zibin Guo talks about movement, he’s not just talking about tai chi. He’s talking about “humanity in motion, the way strength, beauty and grace can exist even in moments of vulnerability.” Guo recently traveled to Dhaka, Bangladesh, at the invitation of UNESCO’s International Centre of Martial Arts for Youth Development and Engagement (UNESCO-ICM) to co-lead a five-day Wheelchair/Adaptive Tai Chi training program for health care providers and community advocates.
UTC’s Betsy Myers and Brandalyn Shropshire named to All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff team
Dr. Betsy Myers and Brandalyn Shropshire from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga have been named to the 2025-2026 All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team. Both honorees will be formally recognized later this academic year, when Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross presents them with engraved plaques during the Mocs men’s basketball game on Jan. 21, 2026, vs. ETSU.
Heart healthy: UTC project expands rural heart health outreach through state partnership
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Nursing is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) to expand access to cardiovascular care for older adults in rural Southeast Tennessee. Building on the success of the University’s MobileMOC program, the new initiative—titled “Connecting Community Partners: Breaking Down Barriers to Heart Health”—is designed to connect senior centers, local providers and community resources to help older adults monitor and manage their blood pressure while learning practical ways to maintain heart health.
Pouring it on: Criminal justice students use paint to confront ethical dilemmas
Students in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Ethics in Criminal Justice course are learning about ethical decision-making the way their instructor prefers—by putting it into practice. Instead of discussing policing, courts or corrections dilemmas solely in writing, the students turned those scenarios into pour-painted canvases. Their work was then displayed publicly to raise money for a local service organization.
Chancellor’s Veterans Day Luncheon honors UTC military community
For 1st Lt. Terry Ellis, being a veteran isn’t about a single moment. It’s about a promise made. When Ellis, an assistant professor of practice at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, was announced as the keynote speaker for the annual Chancellor’s Veterans Day Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 11, he described it as “humbling.”
From military service to helping others: A veteran’s journey at UTC
Through her love of Chattanooga, Necole Gonsahn decided that the long commute to UTC was worth it to pursue a Master of Education degree in counseling. The May 2025 graduate, who served in the U.S. Army Reserve, reflected on her time at the University and partnering with the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs.
Meet Sophie, UTC’s newest sergeant and therapy dog
Sergeant Sophie recently landed her dream job at UTC. So did Corporal Aaron Bayer of the UTC Police Department. Sophie, a 1-year-old Labrador Retriever, officially started her role on Nov. 3 as the UTCPD therapy dog.









