When University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior Marcelle Baez-Carlo first stepped on campus in 2021, the most crucial question to her was: “How can I help?” Recruited from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, to play volleyball, Baez-Carlo has spent her time at UTC committed to improving her performance on the court—but also to her new community.
From behind the scenes to center stage: April Van Brunt finds her calling in the classroom
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.
‘Chattanooga’s Forgotten’: UTC students call on City Hall for safer streets
After spending a year studying walkability in Chattanooga’s Oak Grove neighborhood, students in Dr. Chandra Ward’s class brought their findings to City Hall—asking officials to make the area’s streets safer and invest more fairly in underserved communities.
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.
Not retiring, just ‘repurposing’: Dr. Jamie Harvey ready to jump into her next exercise
Dr. Jamie Harvey, an associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, is stepping down at the end of the semester after 35 years as a full-time faculty member—not to retire, but to “repurpose” her time and energy. “I still have more to give, just in a different way,” she said.
‘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.
Trevor Jolley’s 3,254-mile championship week: Chasing his dream on the tile and hardwood
An impossible decision seemingly was on the table for UTC senior Trevor Jolley—a choice between a club roller hockey program he built and nurtured to the team’s first nationals appearance and his Echo sports editor duties. Luckily, he was able to do both.
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.