Three recent UTC School of Education graduates are being recognized early in their careers for the influence they are already making in Tennessee classrooms. Lauren Cardenas, Reagan Lowrie and Madisson Mantooth have each been named Novice Teacher of the Year recipients in their respective school districts, an honor that recognizes full-time teachers in their first three years in the classroom who demonstrate excellence in instruction, professionalism and student engagement.
Behind the research at UTC: Dr. Amy Brock-Hon
For Amy Brock-Hon, Robert Lake Wilson Professor of Geology, the past 15 years in the UTC Department of Biology, Geology and Environmental Science have been a time to explore her passion and deepen her understanding of the field.
Chancellor Lori Bruce’s first semester: A photo essay
Dr. Lori Mann Bruce’s first semester at UTC, as captured through the lens of University photographer Angela Foster.
The people of UTC: Get to know Lisa Piazza
Dr. Lisa Piazza came to UTC in 2018 with a goal to help more students see themselves as researchers. As a first-generation college student, Piazza learned much of higher education as she went, often with the help of mentors who took the time to guide her. That perspective carries over into her work at UTC, where she aims to make research feel approachable rather than intimidating.
Start spreading the news: UTC wind ensemble to perform at Carnegie Hall
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform a full concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Wednesday, March 18, an invitation that marks a milestone opportunity for student musicians to perform on one of the world’s most iconic stages.
UTC’s RAIL System delivers early cost savings for rural school districts
In its first 3½ months of operation, the RAIL System, housed within the UTC School Psychology program, served 19 school districts across Tennessee and provided access to 186 assessment tools and related resources—saving participating districts more than $22,000 in costs they would otherwise have incurred purchasing the materials themselves.
Winter Welcome: Explore the student clubs and organizations at UTC
As part of Winter Welcome Week, UTC hosted the Winter Organization Fair on Thursday, Jan. 15, to connect students to both new and existing organizations that could align with their interests.
UTC anthropologist examines how power shapes global food systems
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Assistant Professor of Anthropology Emma McDonell’s central question this past summer: Who controls the food on people’s tables?
7,529 miles and counting: UTC’s MobileMOC delivers care in rural communities
Since launching in spring 2025, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Nursing’s MobileMOC medical outreach clinic has delivered preventive care, screenings, education and referrals to older adults and caregivers across rural counties, logging thousands of miles, thousands of patient touch points and hundreds of student learning hours through an interprofessional team spanning nursing, occupational therapy, social work, nutrition and advanced practice providers.
Artificial intelligence in nursing
Laurel Rhyne remembers the very first time she heard about generative artificial intelligence. It was December 18, 2022. She was listening to a National Public Radio story in her car while crossing the Market Street Bridge. “The focus was all on plagiarism and what it was going to do for higher ed,” explained Rhyne, an associate lecturer in the UTC College of Nursing. “What I saw was so much more. “Our whole world is going to change.”









