{"id":73867,"date":"2026-01-14T15:49:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T20:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/?p=73867"},"modified":"2026-01-20T11:46:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:46:35","slug":"grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand opening: Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content-asset\"><iframe title=\"CSLEC Grand Opening   Jan 2026\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\"style=\"max-width: 100%;\"src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h43jEBw-YCk?rel=0&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;autohide=1&#038;showinfo=0&#038;controls=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On Wednesday, Jan. 14, the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> University of Tennessee at Chattanooga celebrated the grand opening of its Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community (<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">CSLEC<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) with an afternoon designed for students to stop by, hang out and get a feel for the new <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lupton Hall<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> space.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The event brought the campus community together for food, games, a photo booth, button making and giveaways, including free succulents and sweatshirts. Throughout the afternoon, students moved through the center, talked with staff and learned more about the programs and support housed in the space.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">CSLEC brings together many areas of student involvement, including fraternity and sorority life, registered student organizations, leadership programs, and campus traditions such as Homecoming and Welcome Week.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For Laura Petrus, director of the center, the work comes back to student connection and success.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think the functional areas that come out of the center are important for students\u2019 overall success,\u201d Petrus said. \u201cIt helps them connect with other students. It helps provideleadership development opportunities and really just gives them the opportunity to make connections that can expand beyond their college career.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She said the grand opening signals a new approach to engagement and leadership development at UTC.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt\u2019s an exciting time for us to really reimagine what engagement and community look like and relaunch leadership programs on our campus,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s about helping students become more well-rounded and more successful overall at UTC and beyond.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">his<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">welcome<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> remarks, Chris Stokes, assistant director of the center, spoke directly to students in attendance.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cAs an educator for over 21 years, the two things that I\u2019ve learned in my time here are that every one of you belongs here and none of you are alone,\u201d Stokes said. \u201cYour journey at this institution\u2014or if you\u2019re connected with us through the community\u2014you\u2019re a part of our UTC family, and each and every one of you has a special place here.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stokes said <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">CSLEC<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> is meant to help students build those connections with one another.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe are so excited through this new space to connect with you and help you connect with others,\u201d he said.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dr.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Artanya Wesley, vice chancellor <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> enrollment management and student affairs, said the opening marked an important moment for student life at UTC.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThese experiences are simply not extracurricular. They are transformational,\u201d Wesley said. \u201cThey build confidence in our students, strengthen relationships with our students, and prepare our students to lead with integrity and purpose.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wesley described the center as a place where students can find support, build relationships and get involved in ways that matter to them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThis space is our students\u2019 refuge, a place where students can escape, where they are affirmed,\u201d she said. \u201cThey will be supported and will be seen. This is a place where growth happens through connection, dialogue, service and shared experience. Here, students will find community.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Learn more<\/h4>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utc.edu\/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs\/admissions\/visit\">Visit UTC<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utc.edu\/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs\/center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\">Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.utc.edu\/apply\">How to apply<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Photo gallery by Angela Foster<\/h4>\n<div class=\"tiled-gallery type-rectangular tiled-gallery-unresized\" data-original-width=\"880\" data-carousel-extra='{&quot;blog_id&quot;:9,&quot;permalink&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/blog.utc.edu\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\\\/&quot;,&quot;likes_blog_id&quot;:202990556}' itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageGallery\" > <div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 880px; height: 411px;\" data-original-width=\"880\" data-original-height=\"411\" > <div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 584px; height: 411px;\" data-original-width=\"584\" data-original-height=\"411\" > <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\/cslec-opening-26-10\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"580\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"407\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"73885\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,843\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg?fit=880%2C618&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg?w=580&#038;h=407&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg?resize=1024%2C719&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg?resize=768%2C540&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg?resize=800%2C562&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg?resize=580%2C407&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-363.jpg?resize=610%2C429&amp;ssl=1 610w\" width=\"580\" height=\"407\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"580\" data-original-height=\"407\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" alt=\"UTC student handing another student a light blue crewneck sweatshirt with the phrase &quot;Fly Together&quot; printed in yellow letters.\" style=\"width: 580px; height: 407px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <!-- close group --> <div class=\"gallery-group images-2\" style=\"width: 296px; height: 411px;\" data-original-width=\"296\" data-original-height=\"411\" > <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\/cslec-opening-26-3\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"292\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"190\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"73878\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,781\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg?fit=880%2C572&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg?w=292&#038;h=190&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg?resize=1024%2C666&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg?resize=768%2C500&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg?resize=800%2C521&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg?resize=580%2C377&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-280.jpg?resize=610%2C397&amp;ssl=1 610w\" width=\"292\" height=\"190\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"292\" data-original-height=\"190\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" alt=\"Four UTC students stand together smiling inside the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement, and Community during the grand opening event.\" style=\"width: 292px; height: 190px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\/cslec-opening-26-9\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"292\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"213\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"73884\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,874\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg?fit=880%2C641&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg?w=292&#038;h=213&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg?resize=1024%2C746&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg?resize=768%2C559&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg?resize=800%2C583&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg?resize=580%2C422&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-354.jpg?resize=610%2C444&amp;ssl=1 610w\" width=\"292\" height=\"213\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"292\" data-original-height=\"213\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" alt=\"A group of students pose together at a photo booth inside the CSLEC, smiling and holding up peace signs for the camera.\" style=\"width: 292px; height: 213px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <!-- close group --> <\/div> <!-- close row --> <div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 880px; height: 386px;\" data-original-width=\"880\" data-original-height=\"386\" > <div class=\"gallery-group images-2\" style=\"width: 284px; height: 386px;\" data-original-width=\"284\" data-original-height=\"386\" > <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\/cslec-opening-26-5\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"280\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"186\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"73880\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,800\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?fit=880%2C587&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?w=280&#038;h=186&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?resize=580%2C387&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?resize=610%2C407&amp;ssl=1 610w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-294.jpg?resize=600%2C400&amp;ssl=1 600w\" width=\"280\" height=\"186\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"280\" data-original-height=\"186\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" alt=\"Rows of small potted succulents in assorted shapes and colors are arranged closely together on a table as part of a plant giveaway.\" style=\"width: 280px; height: 186px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\/cslec-opening-26-8\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"280\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"192\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"73883\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,823\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg?fit=880%2C603&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg?w=280&#038;h=192&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg?resize=1024%2C702&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg?resize=768%2C527&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg?resize=800%2C549&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg?resize=580%2C398&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-341.jpg?resize=610%2C418&amp;ssl=1 610w\" width=\"280\" height=\"192\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"280\" data-original-height=\"192\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" alt=\"Students and staff distribute boxed cupcakes inside the CSLEC as attendees line up during the grand opening event.\" style=\"width: 280px; height: 192px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <!-- close group --> <div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 596px; height: 386px;\" data-original-width=\"596\" data-original-height=\"386\" > <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\/cslec-opening-26-6\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"592\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"382\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"73881\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,774\" data-comments-opened=\"\" data-image-title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg?resize=300%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg?fit=880%2C567&#038;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg?w=592&#038;h=382&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg?resize=1024%2C660&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg?resize=768%2C495&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg?resize=800%2C516&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg?resize=580%2C374&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.utc.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/CSLEC-Opening-26-306.jpg?resize=610%2C393&amp;ssl=1 610w\" width=\"592\" height=\"382\" loading=\"lazy\" data-original-width=\"592\" data-original-height=\"382\" itemprop=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/image\" title=\"CSLEC Opening-26\" alt=\"Dr. Artanya Wesley speaks at a podium during the CSLEC grand opening, standing in front of blue, gold and white decorative backdrops.\" style=\"width: 592px; height: 382px;\" \/> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <!-- close group --> <\/div> <!-- close row --> <div class=\"gallery-row\" style=\"width: 880px; height: 315px;\" data-original-width=\"880\" data-original-height=\"315\" > <div class=\"gallery-group images-1\" style=\"width: 427px; height: 315px;\" data-original-width=\"427\" data-original-height=\"315\" > <div class=\"tiled-gallery-item tiled-gallery-item-large\" itemprop=\"associatedMedia\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\/cslec-opening-26-4\/\" border=\"0\" itemprop=\"url\"> <meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"423\"> <meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"311\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" data-attachment-id=\"73879\" 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href=\"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/grand-opening-center-for-student-leadership-engagement-and-community\/\"><span>Continue Reading 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