University of Tennessee, Knoxville Student Life Fall 2024 Impact Report

FALL 2024

STUDENT LIFE IMPACT REPORT

On any given day on Rocky Top, the staff that compose the Division of Student Life are engaging with students, their families, and the campus community in impactful and unexpected ways. They might connect with a student’s family or foster new relationships to help other UT staff feel welcome. Or, they might truly save a student’s life by supporting their mental health and overall well-being. Or, they might support a student through their worst day on campus as they face many possible challenges.

Every department that makes up Student Life serves a critical function to link necessary resources to the students that need them.

As a university on the rise with record-setting retention and enrollment rates, the division is collaborating with other university units to expand services and streamline communication to responsibly steward the campus experience of 38,728 students.

In this Impact Report, you’ll read how student employment across the division is opening new career paths and helping students develop new skills. Stories of staff growing and pursuing professional development opportunities are also highlighted, with special attention given to how UT Student Life staff are contributing to the growth and development of others within the student affairs field.

We hope you enjoy reading about the partnerships and initiatives that are enriching the Volunteer experience at UT and the individuals contributing to a caring, thriving campus culture.

In the Volunteer spirit,

Frank Cuevas Vice Chancellor for Student Life

Chandra Myrick Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life

PRIORITY 1

TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES

The Division of Student Life provides opportunities for students to develop a sense of self by understanding their individual strengths, values, and goals, and by expanding their leadership capacity. We empower students to connect with the broader community through civic engagement and enhance the overall campus experience by providing services and programs to students.

143

leadership development and training opportunities for students offered by Student Life

741 students served in a leadership role within Student Life

7,586

students engaged in service opportunities

908 service opportunities were logged through ServeUTK in the Jones Center for Leadership and Service

A UNIVERSITY ON THE RISE

During Move-In, University Housing welcomed 8,353 residents over eight days across 16 residence halls.

Student enrollment has increased more than 25%

Applications for admission have grown to a record

59,000

UT IS THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS: How Student

Life is Supporting Record Success and Expanded Opportunities

FRANK CUEVAS Vice Chancellor for the Division of Student Life

We are a university on the rise. UT is experiencing record success and there has never been a better time to be a Volunteer.

Amid that backdrop, I have had the incredible honor of leading the Division of Student Life through a season of rapid growth, expansion, and ascent the past few years. With 91.9% retention and a record-breaking 38,728 students on campus this fall, the university is poised to enter a new era. And the spaces necessary to facilitate this progress are the very same spaces entrusted to Student Life.

When it comes to expanding resources, elevating programs, and upgrading facilities to foster this explosive growth, Student Life is leading the way. In summer of 2024, the Frieson Black Cultural Center underwent renovations and improvements, including specific changes in response to student feedback. Intentional decisions about spaces for the center and for the Multicultural Student Life staff were driven in part by the student voice, with conversations and surveys conducted in the spring and summer.

Student Disability Services is also looking ahead to a new space, when the Melrose Building will be rebuilt on campus with an anticipated opening in 2027. For now, the office has relocated to a temporary space with no break in service to students. Staff members are also gathering student feedback about their needs and what a reimagined office could mean for supporting student accommodations on campus.

University Housing is adding residence halls, with construction of three new student housing facilities underway currently on campus as part of the first housing publicprivate partnership approved at a university in the state of Tennessee. The housing market is impacting students at many universities across the country, and at UT we are pursuing every

possible approach to lessen the burden and stress that students experience in this area of basic need.

Student Life offices and departments also offered 143 different leadership development and training opportunities for students in 2023–2024, investing numerous hours and resources into helping Volunteers become their best selves. The launch of Tennessee Saturday Night in 2023 as a new and premiere program to welcome the incoming class to campus is another signature way Student Life is leading in this area.

Additionally, resources across the division are being deployed to match the intensive growth over the past few years. In 2023–2024 alone, Student Life created 13 new staff positions to support student success, engagement, care, and belonging on campus.

Student Life is also participating in helping students pursue their dreams and providing financial support to do so. In 2023–2024, Student Life offices and departments offered a grand total of $494,175 in scholarship money and awarded 369 individual scholarships. This commitment to responsible and effective stewardship is not just a priority in our division’s strategic plan, but it is a keystone value in how we operate, how we serve, and how we lead.

UT is experiencing tremendous growth on our campus, and as the vice chancellor for Student Life, I could not be more thrilled to be leading this division during such an exciting time in the university’s history.

What happens in every room on campus, whether a physical space or a metaphorical one, is that students are changed for the better. Everything Student Life does is intended to create places, spaces, and opportunities for students to grow, learn, lead, and serve.

NOT THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE:

A Restorative Approach to Conduct Violations

Do the next right thing after a mistake has been made.

That’s the core belief that guides Student Conduct and Community Standards in their work with students facing conduct violations or investigations.

“At UT, the conduct process is educational in nature and centered around student development,” says Amanda Samsel, director of the 11-person team. “Staff take a restorative and empathetic approach to their work.” While the office can issue disciplinary outcomes, approximately 2,000 cases were resolved during the 2023–2024 academic year through an educational and developmental approach.

“UT’s conduct process is designed to promote learning and development for members of the Volunteer community, helping them grow in appropriate decision-making and in understanding human dignity,” adds Samsel. As a national leader in personalized approaches to student success, innovative programs at UT like a restorative conduct process enrich the student experience and improve outcomes on campus.

During conduct violation investigations, staff guide students in answering important questions. For example, was the root cause of the violation alcohol consumption or was it poor decision-making? And once a root cause is determined, staff can recommend unique educational sanctions to foster and grow the student’s overall decision-making skills. From courses on dignity and empathy to ethical decision-making and academic integrity, the Student Conduct and Community Standards team works to move beyond being the “principal’s office” of the university to a place where students can reflect on mistakes and grow into full, authentic, mature adults.

Often, Student Conduct and Community Standards staff find that students are struggling to maintain the Student Code of Conduct because they are making decisions in conflict with their own values. Staff have developed an educational sanction course

that guides students to identify their own values and make choices accordingly called VolsREACH.

VolsREACH incorporates CliftonStrengths and leads students in crafting a personal mission statement. Rather than focusing on the wrong judgment or bad choice that led students to this moment, VolsREACH focuses on how respect, ethics, action, civility, and honesty impact daily decision-making and the entire Volunteer community in a 90-minute interactive class taught by staff.

Dean of Students Byron Hughes notes that “we can embed CliftonStrengths in so many places students don’t expect. It reconnects them with the information at a point when they can most benefit from it.” Emphasizing a student’s strengths at a moment when a poor decision is being scrutinized helps re-establish confidence and dignity, giving students an opportunity to own their mistakes and move forward with a growth and change mindset.

Another educational sanction developed by Student Conduct and Community Standards staff is a program called VolsGrow. This program, based on the work of human dignity expert Donna Hicks, helps students understand the importance of their own dignity and the dignity of others, while also helping to restore dignity that may have been lost after a conduct violation. VolsGrow focuses on teaching students the importance of dignity, making them aware of the role it plays in their everyday lives.

Student Conduct and Community Standards partners with other Student Life and campus departments in developing and offering educational sanctions. The Center for Health Education and Wellness, the Office of Title IX, and the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life each play a role in specific aspects of the restoration process.

One key take away from VolsREACH that I can apply to my life is just setting clear expectations for who I am and what type of decisions I need to make. Clarifying what I believe in, when I’m faced with a difficult decision, will definitely help me find an answer that aligns with my values and ethics.*

*Student quotes are anonymous in compliance with the FERPA privacy law

Student Conduct and Community Standards at UT is unique in the fact that, unlike many other university conduct offices, it is only empowered to make recommendations regarding responsibility and sanctions to students. Students then decide for themselves whether to accept the recommended outcomes or request a formal hearing. When a student accepts the recommendations suggested by Student Conduct and Community Standards staff, the case resolves itself without a formal hearing.

In a formal hearing, students can contest the allegations of misconduct or the sanctions proposed by presenting their case to a decision maker other than the university employee who conducted the investigation. Every student responding to allegations has the right to a formal hearing, but a formal hearing is requested in less than one percent of cases at UT. This indicates that students feel the recommendations made by staff are appropriate and equitable to their situation.

I hold myself to a high standard but I sometimes forget or lose track of my values. The VolsREACH program not only helped put me back on track with my values, but it also taught me ways that I can apply them not only to myself but to others as well. I am honestly happy I had this learning experience, and I will put my best foot forward from here on out.*

In an average academic year, Student Conduct and Community Standards facilitates only 1–2 formal hearings, a rarity in the field across the higher education landscape in the US. Samsel attributes this remarkably low number to the restorative process wherein staff take the time to understand a student’s why and develop outcomes that are best from a student-centric lens and that contribute to a student’s overall growth and development. For cases related to student organization misconduct, there have been zero formal hearings in the last eight years.

“When students get in trouble, they may feel like they’re being sent to the proverbial principal’s office, but we want them to leave feeling heard and respected, vested in the outcome of their case, and equipped to make better choices moving forward,” says Samsel.

The biggest takeaway from this course is that I need to just be more conscientious about my decision-making and the ramifications that can come from the choices I make.*

*Student quotes are anonymous in compliance with the FERPA privacy law

*Student quotes are anonymous in compliance with the FERPA privacy law

What are students saying about VolsGrow?

The one thing I will take from this course is how it reminded me of the regret I felt after knowing I hurt the other person’s feelings. It was something that I should not have done and should never have happened. This course not only increased my knowledge on dignity and how to treat people with respect, but it allowed me to fully reflect on the events that occurred that have led me to this point. I am glad that I got to put how I felt about hurting other people’s feelings into words as it helps me grow and shed the guilt that has built inside me all this time.*

This course about dignity taught me to be more accountable for my actions and think about the repercussions. I’m not only doing damage to someone else’s dignity but am also damaging my own depending on my actions. I learned that dignity and respect are two different things and are not synonymous. This changes the way I think about treating others and will make me second guess my actions before I follow through with them. My actions have repercussions that can affect many people including myself.*

*Student quotes are anonymous in compliance with the FERPA privacy law.

of university sanctions in 2023–2024 were educational activities like VolsGrow or VolsREACH. 83%

Enhancing the Graduate Student Experience with Targeted Programming

LYNDSEY SUMMERS

Intern, Student Life Communications

Journalism and Electronic Media, ‘25

Students from across the world embark on their professional studies in Knoxville, Tennessee. Some completed their undergraduate program at UT and already have connections in the Knoxville community. Other students might be recent graduates from universities hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Still others may be returning to academic pursuits after time in the workforce or may have completed degrees before the rise of the internet, social media, and online coursework.

At UT, administrators and faculty strive to make Rocky Top feel like home. With such a diverse graduate student population, how can they establish connections?

UT’s Multicultural Student Life (MSL) and Center for Student Engagement (CSE) have recently tackled the challenge of creating intentional programming to connect graduate students from all walks of life.

Anthony Prewitt became the MSL director in 2022, and he quickly noticed gaps in support, socialization, and community among the graduate student population. He looked back at his own graduate experience and realized it could have improved with better programming and support resources.

“Graduate students still need community, they still need support, and they still need access to resources,” Prewitt said. “The reality of it is they’re still students. That’s one of the things we can never ignore.”

As Prewitt and MSL staff reimagined the department, they held focus groups and asked students what they needed from the program. The Multicultural Graduate Student Organization made connections with students, and the two groups grew an organic relationship and began to host joint events.

Brad Ward, the assistant director of CSE, believes it is important to give graduate students an outlet and chances to be around other graduate students.

“We know that they’re coming to the university for a specific reason, and their schedule is really demanding,” Ward said. “A lot of grad students are focused on school. That’s why they’re here. They see it as a next step to being that much closer to maybe a PhD or their next job. So their emphasis on education is important. However, we’ve learned there are a lot of grad students that want to go out on a Saturday with us to go bowling or take part in a unique event planned for them.”

“Graduate students still need community, they still need support, and they still need access to resources. The reality is they’re still students. That’s one of the things we can never ignore.”

—Anthony Prewitt, Director of Multicultural Student Life

To ensure graduate students have an outlet specifically for them, Ward works with the Graduate Student Senate and Amy Clevenger, the CSE Graduate Assistant for organization support, to host programming around the graduate student schedule.

Ward noticed many graduate students want to become involved in the Knoxville community, so CSE began hosting off-campus events. In the 2023–2024 school year, CSE found success taking students to a Knoxville Ice Bears games, hosting an axe-throwing social event, and hosting socials at the beginning of each semester.

Like Ward, Prewitt found that many students want to connect with the greater Knoxville community. But they also want educational support.

“They’re coming and not just for programming,” Prewitt said. “They’re coming for advice. They’re coming and inviting us to the things that they’re doing on campus and in the community—whether it be an art show, a dissertation defense, or presenting their research at a conference. They’re intentionally wanting us to come into their space. too.”

MSL hosts trivia nights, welcome back and end-of-year celebrations, and fun evenings like skate nights, movie nights, bowling and arcade trips specifically for graduate students. Prewitt hopes to offer more professional development opportunities for students, including identifying speakers and offering chances for students to present their research.

“All aspects of campus should be interested and do all they can to make sure that the graduate student experience is just as elevated and just as exciting as the undergraduate student experience,” said Prewitt. “Once we do that, the graduate student population will grow. We know that UT is going to give students an amazing education, but it’s what happens outside the classroom that really elevates and transforms the student experience.”

UT had 7,421 graduate students enrolled during the fall 2023 semester. This represents a 20% increase from the 2019 graduate student population. With enrollment on the rise as UT’s excellence in research and course options continues to soar alongside employment growth in Knoxville, Student Life will continue providing graduate students with intentional programming and resources to meet their needs and enhance their Volunteer experience.

In the 2023–2024 academic year, Student Life departments funded 50 graduate assistantships.

Welcome Week Means More Than You Know

RACHEL MOORE

Information Sciences,

‘26

Each semester, Welcome Week infuses students with a sense of belonging and connection. For those who feel a little different, this can be truly transformative.

My early childhood was spent isolated in homeschool, and the long-awaited transition to a classroom setting brought bullying and depression. Decades later, as a first-generation student in her 40s studying online, that feeling of not-quitebelonging only intensified.

It was time to challenge it. With a mix of trepidation and hope, I decided to go to my first-ever UT event: the Welcome Back Bash, presented by the Center for Student Engagement with assistance from the Campus Events Board.

As I approached the crowd, my mind listed reasons why I wouldn’t fit in—but the event’s infectious joy quickly replaced my fears. Music and laughter filled the air. A wide grin spread across my face, my senses overwhelmed by the lively scene. Crafts! Games! Axe-throwing! Photo booths! Is that… roller skating?! My heart raced, trying to keep up with the excitement.

The aroma of the food trucks was tempting, but I assumed they’d be expensive. A fellow student clued me in—they were free! Those tacos were some of the best ever, and I couldn’t believe we didn’t have to pay.

Normally, a sea of students might spike my anxiety, but this felt different. Every interaction was a warm welcome, making it a true Welcome Back Bash. In those moments, amidst the laughter and camaraderie, the powerful truth hit me: I’m a Vol now.

Welcome Week is much more than fun and games. It fosters a vibrant community where everyone, regardless of their differences, can feel at home. For non-traditional, online students like me, it invites us into a world we might have thought was beyond reach.

Some people carry the weight of never feeling like we fit in. Events like Welcome Week chip away at that feeling, helping us feel accepted and included. Even in a crowd of strangers, we can find our place, our people, and a sense of belonging that heals.

I left campus not just with good memories; I took my first steps as a member of the UT community, excited to embrace my future as a Volunteer.

1,223 students attended the Welcome Back Bash, which boasted seven different activities for students to engage in and three food trucks.

Some people carry the weight of never feeling like we fit in. Events like Welcome Week chip away at that feeling, helping us feel accepted and included. Even in a crowd of strangers, we can find our place, our people, and a sense of belonging that heals.

—Rachel Moore

PRIORITY 2

CULTURE OF INCLUSIVITY & CARE

The Division of Student Life cultivates inclusive education, programming, and services. We develop and implement care and support initiatives that foster success and well-being.

“In partnership with several departments and student organizations, both inside and outside of the Division of Student Life, we expanded health-promoting programs, rooted in the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, to better support our campus community.”

— Jill Zambito, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health and Well-being

33 new health-promoting programs implemented by Student Life

150

students participated in the Multicultural Graduation Celebration in spring 2024

top: Vol Family Social, Baltimore 2024 | bottom: Vol Family Social, Seattle 2024

NEW BRANCHES ON THE (BIG ORANGE) FAMILY TREE:

Two New Programs Enhance Engagement for Volunteer Families

AMBER KINDER Coordinator, Center for Student Advocacy

The University of Tennessee takes a holistic approach to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for the families of its students, recognizing the crucial role families play in student success and wellbeing. UT’s commitment to enhancing the family experience is evident through its comprehensive programs, accessible resources, and inclusive community initiatives aimed at engaging families from all backgrounds. By educating and equipping families to best support their students in all aspects of the Volunteer experience, UT ensures that families have the tools they need to contribute to their students’ academic and personal success.

Lindsay Davis, assistant director for the Center for Student Advocacy, has dedicated significant effort to increasing accessibility for UT families by creating opportunities for them to participate in their students’ university experience regardless of geographic location or financial situation. Her work involves creating programs that are financially, physically, and logistically accessible to everyone.

As a graduate assistant in the Center for Student Advocacy, I had the opportunity to help launch Vol Family Socials, a new initiative aimed to increase accessibility among UT families. Vol Family Socials focus on creating a sense of community for families located outside of Knoxville by bringing Rocky Top to them. These are small, intimate events that allow current parents, family members, and supporters to connect with fellow Volunteer families in their region. Vol Family Socials provide an opportunity to learn how the university continues to support their family and their student’s Volunteer experience, featuring guest appearances from key members of the Office of the Dean of Students, Division of Student Life, and UT Foundation. Our team hosted three Vol Family Socials last year: one in-state in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and two outof-state in Seattle, Washington, and Baltimore, Maryland. Through these socials, we engaged with 51 family units and received positive feedback including this from an attendee of the Baltimore Vol Family Social:

“It was a sincere pleasure to meet you at the Vol Family Social last evening in Baltimore, Maryland. What a wonderful event!  It was so nice to meet fellow Tennessee families in our area as well as spend time with you and your colleagues. Thanks for continuing to make ‘our family Vol experience’ something very special!”

While attending the out-of-state socials in Baltimore and Seattle, I was consistently met with gratitude from our Volunteer families. Their appreciation reinforced the importance of these initiatives and highlighted the positive impact of bringing the UT community to them. The overall atmosphere was warm and welcoming, fostering a strong sense of connection and support. Future Vol Family Socials are being planned for Nashville and Memphis in Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia.

Additionally, the DIY Family Weekend initiative, which was softlaunched in spring 2024, invites families to create their own memorable experiences on Rocky Top. Families can plan their visit in advance and explore an interactive calendar with events and activities happening on campus and in the Knoxville area. By informing the Family Experience team about their visit, families receive a special Vol Family swag bag to enhance their stay. Whether attending a Tennessee Volunteers game, exploring downtown Knoxville, or enjoying local cuisine, the DIY Family Weekend ensures that every visit is special and fosters a deeper connection to the UT community. After all, any weekend can be a family weekend as long as you spend time with your loved ones on Rocky Top!

Collectively, Vol Family Socials and the DIY Family Weekend enhance accessibility, engagement, and support for all UT families. By making it easier for families to engage with the university, UT not only enriches the family experience but also contributes significantly to the overall success and well-being of its students.

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The Work of the Commission for the Latin American Volunteer Experience (CLAVE)

Noelia Pacheco-Diaz Assessment Coordinator, Student Life Effectiveness

Noelia Pacheco-Diaz serves as the co-chair of CLAVE at UT, a volunteer role outside her formal position with Student Life. Commissions at UT are facilitated by the Division of Access and Engagement.

The University of Tennessee prides itself on creating a welcoming environment for everyone. One of its initiatives, the Commission for the Latin American Volunteer Experience (CLAVE), works to support and advocate for Hispanic, Latin American, and Latinx communities on campus. Launched in September 2023, CLAVE aims to enhance the experiences of students, faculty, and staff of Latin American, Central American, South American, Caribbean, Spanish, and Portuguese heritage.

At its core, CLAVE aims to create a sense of belonging and community while advocating for policies and services that enhance their experience on campus. The commission also seeks to serve as a central resource for its members and the broader campus community.

CLAVE’s responsibilities are many and centered on fostering inclusiveness and support. The commission is dedicated to building an internal support system through community-building initiatives and professional development opportunities. For instance, CLAVE organized an event called “Cafecito con CLAVE” to bring together the community and create a feeling of support and belonging. Additionally, CLAVE organizes activities that promote cross-cultural understanding and ensures that the contributions and accomplishments of Latin American and Hispanic individuals are recognized and celebrated within the UT community.

As co-chair of CLAVE, I am profoundly aware of the importance of providing a supportive environment where Hispanic and Latin American faculty, staff, and graduate students feel valued and welcome as part of the Volunteer community. The commission’s work is pivotal in promoting a sense of belonging and ensuring that the voices of our communities are heard and respected.

Demographic trends at UT underscore the importance of CLAVE’s mission. Hispanic student enrollment has notably increased from 4.8% to 5.9% between 2020 and 2023. However, the growth in Hispanic faculty and staff numbers has not kept pace, rising only from 2.7% to 3.1% over the same period. CLAVE is committed to addressing this disparity by identifying and overcoming potential hurdles that hinder Hispanic faculty and staff recruitment and retention.

By doing so, the commission aims to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all Hispanic and Latin American community members.

Moving forward, CLAVE aims to establish a clearer marketing identity and strategy to enhance recruitment efforts, expand the commission’s capacity and reach, and continue providing spaces for connection and community building. For example, CLAVE will be present at the HoLa Festival in Knoxville representing UT this academic year. Additionally, CLAVE will offer other opportunities on campus for people to learn about the community and get to know each other.

The Commission for the Latin American Volunteer Experience embodies UT’s commitment to fostering an inclusive campus environment. Through its dedicated efforts, CLAVE supports the Hispanic and Latin American communities and enriches the broader university community by promoting cross-cultural understanding and engagement. As we look to the future, CLAVE remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for and empower our communities, ensuring that their contributions and experiences are celebrated and valued.

Visits with HABIT Dogs Provide Mental Health Support to Students at the Pride Center

While mental health challenges have become common across the general population, students in the LGBTQ+ community sometimes experience these with increased severity. Students in this community may have difficult relationships with family, and as a result may be more likely to be paying for school independent of any familial support. Anxiety and stress over both family and financial challenges can lead to a tense collegiate experience.

To help combat these challenges and encourage students, UT’s Pride Center partnered with the Human Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) program to provide therapy dogs to students on a weekly basis during the 2023–2024 academic year and the program is continuing into the current year as well. Dogs and their handlers visit the Pride Center community space on campus for an hour each week and students can visit, play, and receive mental health support in the form of puppy snuggles, laughter, and light-natured play time with furry friends.

“When it comes to mental health, a lot of the students we see in the Pride Center are dealing with anxiety, stress, financial issues, and a host of challenges with family relationships,” states Bonnie Johnson, director of the Pride Center.

Having a HABIT dog visit the Pride Center creates a fun and safe space where students can receive information about resources and support on campus, all while experiencing greater peace and calm.

“We can’t always fix their problems, but we can sit with them in their pain,” adds Johnson.

“And that’s one of the key elements of animal therapy. Therapy animals provide unconditional love and reassurance. They’re there to just sit with you no matter what you’re going through.”

“Therapy animals provide unconditional love and reassurance. They’re there to just sit with you no matter what you’re going through.

—Bonnie Johnson, director, Pride Center

Johnson adds that providing comfort to students as they navigate barriers can have a significant benefit for students’ mental health, especially as they face societal challenges that may take a long time to change.

The program received so much positive feedback from students that visits with a second HABIT dog were added to the regular weekly schedule at the tail end of the fall semester last year. For 2024–2025, the HABIT therapy dogs are splitting duty with visits happening at the Pride Center and through Multicultural Student Life.

HOW INNOVATION FUNDING IS HELPING STUDENTS MANAGE STRESS

Students are the heartbeat of the University of Tennessee, and now, thanks to Innovation Award funding and HeartMath technologies, those heartbeats are unlocking new ways to manage stress and regulate emotions.

In 2022, the Division of Student Life launched the Innovation Awards, providing onetime funding to support groundbreaking initiatives that enhance the student experience. One of the latest projects to receive funding is a program that brings HeartMath to campus, transforming how students manage stress.

HeartMath, a non-profit organization known for its cutting-edge biofeedback tools, provides technology that helps users monitor and manage their heart rhythms. Traditionally, biofeedback devices are costly and stationary, but HeartMath offers a portable solution that connects to a smartphone app, making it accessible for students on the go.

“coherence.” Defined as a balanced alignment between the heart and brain that promotes calm, focus, and emotional resilience, coherence is critical to overall wellness for students on campus. Students can check out these devices for eight weeks at a time and use them anywhere—whether in a quiet corner of the library or the bustling Student Union—while the app tracks their progress and provides feedback on how well they are reaching coherence.

Following a limited rollout in the summer of 2024, full access to HeartMath began during the fall semester, and the results have been encouraging. Students, particularly those who struggle with test anxiety and stress, have reported positive outcomes. By calming the body’s physiological response to stress, HeartMath allows students to access their memory more effectively, improving both their academic performance and emotional well-being.

$70,000 allocated for Innovation Awards Innovation programs supported during the 2023–2024 academic year

Three Student Life departments—the Center for Care and Resilience, the Center for Health Education and Wellness, and Student Disability Services—received Innovation Award funding to bring HeartMath to campus. Staff from these departments completed an intensive eight-week training, equipping them to serve as mentors and distribute HeartMath devices to students.

“Stress and anxiety are consistently among the top concerns we hear from students,” said Lisa Loar, director of the Center for Care and Resilience. “HeartMath offers an innovative way to address these issues.”

HeartMath’s premise is simple yet powerful. By using the device just a few times a day over an eight-week period, students can learn to achieve

Although other universities have integrated HeartMath into research programs, UT’s focus is on providing students with the tools they need to thrive emotionally and academically. By collaborating among departments with Student Life, Loar’s goal is to make this powerful resource available to as many students as possible.

As students learn to regulate their heart rhythms and emotions, they take control of their well-being, empowering themselves to face the challenges of college life. Through innovative resources like HeartMath, the Division of Student Life is ensuring that Volunteers have the support they need to succeed at Rocky Top and beyond.

Current students interested in working with a HeartMath facilitator to reduce stress or campus community members who are concerned about a student’s stress level can call 974-HELP or complete a referral at care.utk.edu.

BREAKING THROUGH FINANCIAL BARRIERS:

The Power of UT’s Basic Needs Emergency Fund

SAMANTHA SULLIVAN Intern, Student Life Communications Public Relations, ‘25

When Jayden Tillery of Columbia, Tennessee, arrived at UT, he could not have imagined what Rocky Top would mean to him four years later. A business analytics major graduating in May 2025, Tillery chose UT for its endless opportunities and believed that anything was possible on this campus for him if he kept up his strong work ethic and positive attitude. But earlier this year, a sudden injury challenged everything.

In January, Tillery suffered a significant setback due to a shoulder injury, putting him out of work. He had been working as a package handler for a major logistics company, a job that allowed him to cover rent and tuition. However, since the injury didn’t happen on the job, Tillery was put on leave. As his shoulder injury worsened, Tillery ultimately resigned from his position, leaving him both physically and financially strained.

Yet Tillery maintained a positive attitude. Determined to stay on course, he researched possible support resources and discovered the Basic Needs Emergency Fund, which is administered by the Center for Basic Needs. This fund assists eligible students to support or provide access to basic needs for emergency situations that can be resolved with one-time financial support. Tillery applied for assistance, met with Dez Newcomb, basic needs coordinator, and then took a sigh of relief.

“When a student’s basic needs are at risk or not being met at all, that takes their focus away from their classes and their academic success,” says Newcomb, who has been working with students to support basic needs

access since 2020. In addition to managing the Basic Needs Emergency Fund, Newcomb also meets with students facing basic needs insecurity one-on-one to help connect them to campus and community resources like the Big Orange Pantry and Smokey’s Closet.

With financial stress relieved, Tillery was able to focus on academics along with his future. He turned his energy towards his career goals, successfully landing his dream internship and stepping into a leadership role as vice president of marketing for the Business Analytics Society. Tillery credits the Basic Needs Emergency Fund for opening doors he never thought possible.

“It was a massive weight lifted off my shoulders,” he reflects. “It opened doors for me in ways that, through no fault of their own, people without monetary hardships might not fully understand.” Now, as Tillery prepares to enter the workforce by interviewing for his next internship, he looks back on his deep connection with the UT community.

During 2023–2024, the Basic Needs Emergency Funds used

$79,422

to help 138 students with one-time emergency assistance. Using data available so far, the number of students assisted is on track to double during 2024–2025.

“I love UT. It’s given me a home, a loving community, and a second family,” Tillery says. The support he received through the Basic Needs Emergency Fund allowed him to be his best self, and he hopes the program continues to support future students who face similar challenges.

Dez Newcomb, pictured, counsels a student through a one-on-one consultation on resources available both on campus and in the community.

It was a massive weight lifted off my shoulders.

—Jayden Tillery

Because of the Basic Needs Emergency Fund, Jayden Tillery was able to stay in school after an injury led to losing his job.

PRIORITY 3

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

The Division of Student Life advances the personal and professional growth of students and staff through exploration and innovation.

376

service hours completed by Student Life staff

23

Student Life staff members utilized volunteer leave through HR

STAFF CONTRIBUTIONS

The Division of Student Life employed 372 full-time staff during 2023–2024. These are the contributions of those staff to the professional community:

31 completed a college degree

45 completed a professional or skill certification

19 participated in an institutional, regional, or national institute

7 served as faculty of an institutional, regional, or national institute

43 presented at a regional or national conference

10 authored a publication

8 received a regional or national award

49 served as an instructor of a university for-credit course

6 served as an external reviewer for a program review

25 served in leadership position(s) for a regional or national professional association

The Road to Commencement: PAVED WITH RESILIENCE AND COMMUNITY

When Bri Swindell (‘24) enrolled at the University of Tennessee in the fall of 2018, she had no idea the six-year challenge that would stand between her and graduation. But last spring, Swindell completed her degree. With the exception of a one-time $3,000 loan, her tuition was paid in full each semester, primarily from income she earned while working at the Student Union. Now, Swindell has graduated with not only minimal student loan debt but also with a sense of purpose and direction for her future with a career in student affairs.

As a first-year student, Swindell relied on financial assistance from her parents while attending UT. When financial difficulties struck her family during her sophomore year, Swindell decided to take a year off amid the COVID-19 pandemic in order to address her own mental health challenges and alleviate financial stress for her family.

Swindell got a job at a gas station about an hour from campus to help her family with expenses and saved to eventually re-enroll at UT. Every paycheck Swindell put money aside to help pay for classes. Then, after starting classes again, Swindell heard about a position at the Student Union. She landed the role and started working on campus, which made attending classes much easier while also allowing her to work as many hours as possible.

“If I wasn’t in classes, I was working,” says Swindell. “I worked full-time in the summers and part-time during semesters. I could only pay for two classes each semester so I had a lot of time I could spend working to save money.”

Swindell notes that coming back to UT after taking a year off was difficult, and that her financial struggles weighed on her. “Having the Student Union support system was huge for me and helped me get accustomed to being back on campus,” she adds.

After a year in her role, Swindell was promoted to the student manager position. In this role, Swindell managed other student workers, teaching them the specifics of needed tasks and building relationships. This promotion also served as a turning point for her in understanding student affairs. She attended the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) conference and developed her leadership skills as she supervised other students.

“The student manager role has taught me responsibility, not just of my finances but also in my work life, in being able to schedule commitments, and be responsible to the commitments I make,” says Swindell. “It’s also taught me resilience. Even if something doesn’t happen how I think, everything is going to be alright.”

Austin Seay, an events and facilities coordinator at the Student Union, oversees student managers, a role that students have to be promoted into from lower positions. He has been supervising Swindell for the past 18 months.

“You can easily see resilience in Bri’s character, even in her history with us,” states Seay. “She applied once for the student manager position and was not promoted, but then she applied again after pursuing growth opportunities within the team. She grew based on the feedback we gave her, and then when she re-applied we decided she was ready for the added responsibility.”

“They checked on me when I was hospitalized and checked on me every day after. I didn’t go a single day without someone from the Student Union reaching out to check on me. I’m proud of still being here, and I’ve learned how to push through and hold on, knowing that there will be better days ahead.”

—Bri Swindell

Swindell’s resilience would be put to the test in December of 2022, when her mental health struggles resulted in a suicide attempt and a 72-hour hospitalization. Swindell credits her community support system at the Student Union with encouraging her through this period.

“They checked on me when I was hospitalized and checked on me every day after. I didn’t go a single day without someone from the Student Union reaching out to check on me. I’m proud of still being here, and I’ve learned how to push through and hold on, knowing that there will be better days ahead,” says Swindell.

Amanda Griffiths, another events and facilities coordinator at the Student Union, supervised Bri before she was promoted to student manager.

“One of the best things about the employment program here is we try to understand that every student is different, and they’re going to have their own challenges,” says Griffiths. “Some are working here to have some spending money for the weekends, but others are here truly in order to pay for rent and continue to attend UT. We get to know them to learn who they are and why they are here so we can better support them.”

Griffiths recalls quickly realizing that Swindell was working at the Student Union not only because she needed income to support her journey at UT but also because she needed a place to belong. Griffiths watched Swindell grow despite the challenges she faced. She evolved from not being confident in her answers to questions while working at the information desk to rising to the occasion with confidence and leadership, no matter what was going on in her personal life.

“Despite what she faced, her growth was always consistent. But when Bri moved into the student manager position, that’s when she really excelled in herself. The position gave her everything she needed to fully realize her potential and to realize her managerial and leadership skills,” adds Griffiths.

Swindell took it upon herself to get experience in all seven work areas at the Student Union, which Seay notes makes her one of the most versatile student employees.

“Supervising Bri has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my time at UT,” says Seay. “Through her I’ve learned about myself, how to develop my own management style to be empathetic toward others, and to build deep connections with the student employees under my supervision.”

Swindell notes that the Student Union is the place on campus where she has built the strongest community with students, supervisors, and professional staff. Working with the staff and being introduced to Association of College Unions International also led Swindell to student affairs, which is now the primary focus of her career aspirations.

“I really enjoy making a difference in the lives of college students,” concludes Swindell.

Swindell has been accepted into the College Student Personnel program at UT for the fall of 2024 and is pursuing a master’s degree in higher education administration following graduation. She also hopes to find a graduate assistant position in the Division of Student Life and eventually earn a PhD in higher education administration as well.

“Supervising Bri has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my time at UT.

—Austin Seay, Events and Facility Coordinator, Student Union

Despite what she faced, her growth was always consistent. But when Bri moved into the student manager position, that’s when she really excelled in herself.

—Amanda

Griffiths, Assistant Director for Student Training and Engagement, Student Union

Developing Skills and Solutions: Student Employment in Action Through Data Initiatives

Within Student Life

ANDREW DOANE Intern, Student Life Communications Business Analytics,

‘25

As a student intern with Student Life Communications (SLC), I’ve had the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally. It’s a pleasure to give back to the university by assisting in the optimization of the student experience as well.

In working with our SLC team, I’ve had great opportunities to learn more about how data analysis can be leveraged in the student affairs field. When I first started, the team was very helpful and willing to train because I had never held a similar position. Immediately, I started gaining experience that connects to my business analytics coursework and applies to practical problem-solving techniques that will remain relevant for my future career. With every new task, I develop new skills and my confidence grows.

This past spring, I shared four of the projects I was involved in at the Division of Student Life Summit along with some of the SLC professional team members. Our presentation, titled “Harnessing Student Expertise for Data Analysis,” demonstrated how Student Life departments can utilize undergraduate students or data collection techniques to identify solutions to specific problems in their areas. For a project on Big Orange Tix, the student ticketing service for athletic events, I analyzed 400+ student ticket help requests to gain insights about the most common problems students were experiencing

and consider possible solutions for the future. Next, our presentation highlighted the analysis of an email campaign to learn more about our click rates, open rates, and engagements based on variables such as the time of day an email was sent or the format of the subject line. The summit presentation also allowed us to share findings from a social media audit that I conducted in order to discover what was working well, what could be improved, and what new opportunities we could foresee for the future. Lastly, we shared how results from a staff survey impacted the resources made available to staff in the division’s intranet. Through the opportunity to share at the summit, I got to display the actionable insights our team gained from these analyses while being introduced to wonderful division staff that I might not interact with during my typical day-to-day.

In every instance, different data techniques were required to find optimal decisions for the future. However, all research and analysis allowed us to identify solutions to make better decisions in our marketing and communication efforts and in some cases unearthed new questions. Not only did I get to share how my growth has had an impact on reaching the division’s goals, but the practical experience of presenting my work to a larger crowd has only made me more comfortable for future presentations.

For my personal growth, the SLC’s team leaders have been very intentional about putting me in situations that will foster long-term development. For instance, oftentimes when discussing new ideas I am asked “Is this something that you see yourself practicing more in your future career?” I really appreciate the consideration that goes into the question because I know they have my best interest in mind, so it makes me perform my job with even more attention to detail in order to reach our desired goals.

I look forward to working with our team each day because I’m often challenged to expand my comfort zone just by being in the professional environment created by the division. Before my internship, content design and social media were probably not strengths of mine, but being around other interns and professionals that are skilled in those spaces has really helped me grow. I’ve learned that having a fundamental understanding of a variety of topics such as these can actually have a great impact on the effectiveness of data analysis.

It’s been an honor to be a part of the innovative ideas taking place in the Division of Student Life so far, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

“I immediately started gaining experience that connects to my business analytics coursework and applies to practical problem solving techniques that will remain relevant for my future career.”

—Andrew Doane

The percentage of graduates reporting positive career outcomes has increased to a record 90.

In the 2023–2024 academic year, !

1,628 students were employed by Student Life departments.

90%

Undergraduate Research Inquiries Spark Enhanced Mental Health Conversations on Campus

LYNDSEY SUMMERS

Intern, Student Life Communications Journalism and Electronic Media, ‘25

Each spring, select students at the University of Tennessee prepare to share semesters’ worth of research at the Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURēCA). Students gather to present their hard work and dedication and share answers to their research questions with the university community.

In April 2024, among a sea of 1,055 student researchers, stood Anna Lynn (‘24). Beside her were two posters presenting research about the mental health of students and, specifically, resident assistants.

Lynn, a psychology student in the Chancellor’s Honors Program, chose a topic for her required capstone thesis project in August 2023: “Identifying potential barriers to mental health of students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.”

Lynn obtained approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before she began her research. Collaborating with Katie Rowinski, a licensed clinical psychologist and distinguished lecturer in UT’s Department of Psychology, Lynn surveyed students online to identify the barriers negatively impacting the mental health of students. She contacted leaders from the Division of Student Life and its connected departments for additional insights.

“We would talk for an hour straight about mental health, and it was really neat that these leaders wanted to have a conversation with me, a normal student,” Lynn said. “They were very impactful in my direction and in providing a higher level of support.”

In a conversation with Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Life Chandra Myrick about her thesis, Lynn asked what specific student populations she wanted to learn more about. Myrick, knowing Lynn worked as a resident assistant (RA), said she wanted to hear about the mental health of RAs.

“It almost felt like a challenge,” Lynn said. In three years of service at UT, Lynn worked as an RA in Magnolia Hall and Dogwood Hall. A second-generation RA, she followed in her mother’s footsteps who served as an RA at Maryville College. “So from there, I met with people in University Housing and decided we could do a joint project together.”

A Second Research Project Emerges

In November 2023, she began researching for this additional project: “Identifying perceived correlational factors that impact the mental health of University Housing studentstaff live-in positions at UT.”

By April, she gathered 166 student participants for her research. She found that 58% of participants felt academics negatively affected their mental health. Of the participants, none utilized the 974-HELP line for themselves. But two students utilized this resource — a 24/7 helpline that puts students in conversation with a member of UT’s Center for Care and Resilience Team or a mental health professional — for others. Her research called for an increase in accessibility to mental health resources at UT and considered mental health a primary concern for the campus.

She could finally find data for the questions she would often think to herself. Were the trends she saw in her role as an RA things that were happening across campus? Was it just her residence hall? Was it just her coworkers?

“We are student leaders, but a lot of the time, more than that is expected from us,” Lynn said about RAs. “You kind of find yourself in the position of being a counselor and a first responder. There are a lot of expectations for the job that are big and heavy.”

With help from Evan Sander, University Housing assessment coordinator, Lynn surveyed 28 resident assistants at UT to see if there was

support for her hypothesis. Of the participants, 77% did not feel like their mental health was a priority to department leadership. Lynn’s conclusion called for an increase in support for student leaders who support others on campus. She also called for more conversations about factors affecting resident assistant mental health. Lynn met with University Housing to share the results of her research to inform future RA training and support for student staff.

Lynn was one of a handful of students inducted into the 2024 RA Hall of Fame, the highest honor a resident assistant can receive, by University Housing for her research.

“It was a really fulfilling moment, realizing people also wanted to learn more about this,” Lynn said.

Lynn presented both projects at EURēCA and the inaugural Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium. Lynn’s research presentation for her senior thesis won in the Social Sciences division at the Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium.

“I think it’s really cool to be at an institution where, as an undergraduate, you can do this kind of work,” said Lynn. “It’s great that our environment allows students to ask questions, to inquire things, and to be creative.”

Lynn’s biggest takeaway from her research is how important it is to ask questions about the community. “We have 36,000 students, and I think we can always look for opportunities to grow to enrich the experience,” she said.

Summer

Reflections on a Summer of Personal and Professional Growth

HOPE ADKINS Special Projects Coordinator, Division of Student Life

I was sitting in the fourth row of a large lecture hall in Omaha, Nebraska, when someone tapped me on the shoulder.

“Are you from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville? I noticed your nametag. Your university is doing some incredible work that we have tried to mirror.”

Over the next few days of the conference, I had similar interactions with faculty and staff from universities across the country who have been encouraged and challenged by the work being done at UT and just wanted the opportunity to say hello. Professional development is vital to the advancement and success of any individual or organization and, as evidenced by my personal interactions, vital to the continued success of the university.

In the field of higher education, where change is constant, ongoing learning and adaptation is essential. The Division of Student Life recognizes this in its strategic plan priority focused on advancing the personal and professional development of our students and staff. By fostering a culture of exploration and innovation, we not only enhance our individual competencies but also contribute to the collective development of the institution.

This summer I participated in three unique opportunities: the Gallup at Work Summit in Omaha, Nebraska; the New Professionals Institute hosted at the University of South Carolina in Columbia; and the NASPA Region III Summer Symposium held in Orlando, Florida. Each experience sparked new excitement for the work of student affairs, provided opportunity for reflection and challenge, and reminded me of the importance of professional development overall.

The Gallup at Work Summit focused on the latest trends and strategies in strengths-based development, coaching, employee engagement, and leadership growth. One of my most significant takeaways was how leveraging individual strengths can lead to higher engagement, productivity, and overall satisfaction for employees and their institutions. The practical strategies shared by experts at the summit equipped me with the tools and knowledge to foster personal and professional development. The emphasis on strengths-based development resonates with the division’s commitment to exploration and innovation, encouraging staff to harness their unique abilities to reach their full potential.

The New Professionals Institute was a week of intensive, interactive learning, sharing, networking, and growth with 80 other new professionals. The institute provided a platform to

reflect on my early experiences in the field and learn from seasoned professionals while also connecting with colleagues from UT and around the country. Learning from faculty at the Institute, as they shared their experiences and perspectives on challenges that student affairs professionals face, and passing on skills necessary to success was beneficial for me to more effectively contribute to the university and student affairs as a whole. The institute’s focus on peer learning and mentorship was particularly impactful, allowing me to gain insights from colleagues who have successfully navigated similar challenges or were considering similar next steps in their career. The networking opportunities with fellow cohort members fostered connections that will undoubtedly support my continued growth in the field, specifically with a group of cohort members who serve at other SEC institutions.

The NASPA Region III Summer Symposium is the annual gathering of student affairs professionals from across the region. This year’s theme emphasized the need to rekindle our passion for the work we do and refocus on our goals as higher education professionals. One of the key takeaways was the importance of maintaining a strong sense of purpose and motivation in our work, a powerful reminder that, as higher education professionals, our energy and enthusiasm are critical to the success of our students and institutions. Connecting with regional colleagues, sharing and celebrating the work being done at UT Knoxville, and advocating for new and exciting ways to share our work and collaborate with others was the perfect way to top off the summer!

On a personal level, these experiences have ignited my passion for professional development and lifelong learning. They reminded me of the importance of continuous growth and the value of investing in my own development as well as that of others. The professional development opportunities I have engaged in this year have been pivotal in advancing my growth and effectiveness as a student affairs professional and these experiences have not only enriched my own practice, but my hope is that they have also contributed to the broader goals of our institution.

And so, to the person who tapped me on the shoulder, yes, I am from the University of Tennesse, Knoxville and I am grateful for the investment they are making in the professional development of our staff.

“Professionally, the conference recharged and renewed my enthusiasm for introducing CliftonStrengths to our students.”

Hope Adkins

In 2023–2024,, Student Life hosted !

Division of Student Life staff who served as faculty of an institutional, regional, or national institute

Melissa A. Brown, director of Student Life Effectiveness Student Affairs Assessment Institute 2023

John Keith, director of the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life lead facilitator at the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute

Hunter Carlheim, assistant director of the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life facilitator for Beta Theta Pi Fraternity’s Wooden and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity’s Carlson Institute

Hailey Flavin, assistant director of the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life facilitator for Delta Tau Delta Fraternity’s President’s Excellence Institute

Anthony White, executive director of University Housing National Housing Training Institute

Kim Hardaway, assistant director of University Housing STARS College Institute (Association of College and University Housing Officers International)

Jerry Adams, director of residence life for University Housing College of Chapters (Sigma Nu Fraternity)

“Having the opportunity to attend the Gallup at Work Summit was the highlight of my year. It reignited my passion for how transformative strengths work can be with teams and students. Riding on the momentum of the experience, I have been more intentional in weaving CliftonStrengths into all of my work including incorporating one of the sessions I attended into our staff retreat and adding individual strengths coaching sessions to the Student Leadership Development Curriculum. “

—Dianna Foulke, Associate Director, Center for

Student Engagement

“The Gallup at Work Summit broadened my perspective on how we can integrate strengths into our programs in the Jones Center for Leadership and Service, inspiring us to create more transformative experiences for our students. “

—Steven

Cheppo, Associate Director, Jones Center for Leadership and Service

EXCITING NEWS!

The Division of Student Life is excited to host the Mid-Managers Institute (MMI) through NASPA in 2025 and 2026. We believe in investing in middle managers as they are the future of our profession. As we have been actively seeking opportunities to invest in professional development for our own middle managers, we also have a desire to invest in these professionals across the region through this host opportunity.

Over the next two summers, we hope to show attendees the importance of place and space. As UT Chancellor Donde Plowman often says, “We are a university on the rise,” and we believe there is great benefit in showcasing the innovative programming and exciting growth that is happening on Rocky Top with regional participants. Hosting MMI can create a collaborative environment that benefits our university staff and MMI participants through professional development, networking opportunities, and the promotion of continuous learning. Serving as a host for MMI also allows us to showcase quality facilities and resources which can result in strengthened partnerships and enhanced strategic position within the higher education landscape.

PRIORITY 4

RESPONSIBLE & EFFECTIVE STEWARDSHIP

The Division of Student Life responsibly and creatively stewards university resources to maximize the student experience and subsequent student learning. We empower and sustain a culture of collaboration, adaptability, and innovation.

13 new staff positions added

$494,175 scholarship monies offered through 369 scholarships

$520,625 grant monies received for student support and programming

Campus Partnerships Increase Accessibility through Student Disability Services

During the past year, Student Disability Services has explored several avenues for expanded student support. Collaboration with other university units and student input has led to three new initiatives to help all Vols reach their full potential on campus.

Kurzweil Expansion

The office has expanded the availability of Kurzweil, one of the most popular digital learning tools on the market, in collaboration with the Office of Innovative Technologies. While this tool was previously being used primarily for neurodivergent students and those with visual disabilities, it’s now available to anyone in the university community with a valid NetID and password.

The interactive software is simple to use and has many features, including text to speech, 13 languages and 18 additional native dialects, voice notes, idea mapping and organization, all of which can be used to enhance a student’s learning. Students, faculty, and staff can access this learning tool simply by visiting the Software Distribution page on the Office of Innovative Technologies website.

Assignment Planner

Angela Tyson, a Student Disability Services coordinator who now is teaching overseas, handled welcome meetings with students who were just arriving on campus for their first year. She noted that students were struggling with executive functioning deficits, which is to say that they struggled to organize their work, plan assignments, and generally manage the transition from a K-12 experience where teachers are much more hands-on and a university experience where students are largely autonomous and responsible for their own success. Tyson wanted to fill in those learning gaps with accessible tools that would contribute to student success on campus.

“With 5–6 classes to manage assignments and deadlines for, it can be quite overwhelming to many students,” says Tyson. “But lots of classes have similar assignments like research papers or poster presentations.” Tyson consulted with her supervisor, Sara Conrad, assistant director of SDS, who found a tool created at the University of Toronto that helped break down large assignments into smaller, manageable goals for students struggling with executive functioning. She used that example to create a similar tool for UT students.

“The Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center was already using templates to help students break down large writing projects,” she adds. “So we collaborated with them and incorporated a perspective that focused on students with disabilities and the accommodations they need, and voila, the Assignment Planner was born and launched in spring 2024.”

Tyson notes that the magic of the assignment planner is that it incorporates a calendar feature. Not only does it break down large assignments into bite-size tasks, it also creates due dates and reminders along the way to help students manage a workload over several weeks ahead of the final deadline when the assignment must be submitted.

Academic Support Program

In addition to utilizing available software and technological tools, Student Disability Services staff also focused on identifying other ways to support students on campus. Following the model utilized in the Division of Student Success, the team launched an academic support pilot program in the fall of 2023 to help meet the needs of students facing challenges in their classes.

In the fall of 2022, 90% of students registered with SDS surveyed said they would utilize a service like the academic support program, so based on that feedback the program is open to any student registered with Student Disability Services. Through this program, students are paired with an academic coach to help them improve in their coursework.

“Realizing that there is an opportunity here for us to help students succeed has been great,” says Tamara Griffin, a coordinator in Student Disability Services oversees this program. “I get to develop a relationship with a student and hear how they are impacted by their disability in their day to day lives, academics being a part of that.”

In weekly sessions, Griffin notes that in addition to discussing time management or executive functioning concerns with students, they delve deeper into identifying the underlying causes of the students’ challenges.. Sometimes they’re facing food or housing insecurity or mental health concerns. Griffin says that she collaborates with campus partners to ensure the student receives the support they need. She also works collaboratively with the student to formulate a plan for their academic success.

“I’m trying to help students navigate these issues in their lives so they can meet their academic goals,” adds Griffin. “Even how to have conversations with their instructors to advocate for themselves is a huge help to them.”

“This office is really leading with these campus collaborations to make the Volunteer student experience more accessible and inclusive to the entire community,” says Byron Hughes, assistant vice chancellor and dean of students.

NO GUESSING: HOW DATA DRIVES DECISIONS FOR CAMPUS RECREATION

What does it mean to maximize the student experience at UT? For RecSports, this means carefully collecting data that drives a strategic and agile approach to programs, spaces, and supporting the overall health and well-being of every student.

RecSports serves students, faculty, and staff by providing a wide variety of programs and well-maintained facilities for almost any sportor fitness-oriented person. Whether it’s friendly competition through intramurals, adventure and daring with outdoor pursuits, or fitness training and stress management with aquatics and sport clubs, RecSports is a place where well-being happens.

A National Leader in Student Recreation

Every three years RecSports participates in a national assessment that measures the self-reported impact of participating in campus recreation on the student experience. Results from this assessment are organized by category: recruitment, retention, emotional wellness, physical wellness, and social wellness. Last administered in 2022, the survey results clearly position UT as a leader in this area.

“Other institutions are looking to us to see how we’re impacting student retention and recruitment,” says Sean C. Basso, associate director of RecSports. The assessment also produced some very clear associations between students’ rates of participation and their stress management, respect for others, fitness level, and physical strength. Students also indicated that their feelings of well-being and overall health improved through participation in RecSports.

Basso notes that staff retention is also a goal for the department, and meeting that goal is made easier with such clear data.

“When I can know and measure the real effect my work has on a student’s well-being, it’s that much easier to come to work, even on the tough days,” notes Basso.

Participation Data and Daily Decisions

RecSports engages in data collection regarding participation in multiple ways and shares this in a public-facing dashboard on their website. Anyone can visit the dashboard at anytime to see participation or usage trends across month, day of the week, or classification.

For Basso, this data collection is key to driving important decisions about operations at every level of the department, from annual budget allocation all the way down to hours of operation for specific facilities.

Basso notes that RecSports is also working to pivot and expand program offerings as the UT student population grows. When the TRECS facility opened in 2003, there were roughly 21,000 undergraduate students on campus. Today that number is 38,728 with a 91.9% retention rate.

“We are actively exploring opportunities to grow and be better stewards of the resources within our department, whether that’s transformed fitness spaces with a rubberized floor or maintenance upgrades to the third floor of TRECS or outdoor weight lifting facility, we’re motivated to innovate on all fronts. Data is the backbone of these decisions,” says Basso.

Students scan their UT ID to gain access to RecSports facilities and participate in RecSports programs, such as intramural leagues and tournaments, outdoor trips, or other events. This practice provides RecSports with the chance to measure when and where students are engaging, how long they are staying, and which offerings are most popular for future programming decisions.

For example, staff analyzed TRECS facility access data across weekend hours and projected that Sunday participation would increase by 100 students if TRECS opened two hours earlier. The change in operation was made to move from a noon open to a 10 a.m. open, and participation increased by 111 unique students on average in fall 2024, just as staff hypothesized it would.

RecSports hosts 90 weekly group fitness class and oversees 50 intramural leagues and tournaments each year, with a varying number of teams and students participating. By tracking student participation in these areas, staff can see what is most popular with students rather than making an educated guess, accurately anticipate the number of student staff needed to support each area, and prepare to launch each semester’s programming with timely and responsible stewardship.

“We’re using this to drive decision-making with recruiting specialized student staff, scheduling classes, and defining budgetary goals on an annual basis,” adds Basso. “The statistics show that students are both engaging in these programs and having a better overall experience at UT because of their engagement.”

“I have made several amazing friends my freshman year by going to the gym with some girls in my class! I also was able to crawl out of my life-threatening depression by attending yoga classes throughout the week at the TRECS.”

“I’ve made friends and memories using these facilities, as well as worked on myself here. That would otherwise not be possible if not for places like TRECS.”

“RecSports activities have been beneficial for me in staying healthy. But other than this, they’re a ton of fun! I’ve made countless memories participating in RecSports activities, and they’re certainly a highlight of my college experience.”

“It has provided a way for me to bond with friends by renting tents to go camping, attending classes together like barre or yoga, or just going climbing on the Vol Wall!”

Quotes from last campus-wide survey, conducted in 2022.

DID YOU KNOW?

• 22,567 unique members recorded 820,507 participations with RecSports in 2023–2024.

• Students who participated 20 or more times (8,280) with RecSports averaged a 3.48 cumulative GPA, while students who participated one to five times (14,662) averaged a 3.42 cumulative GPA

• Roughly 9 out of 10 students said RecSports facilities and programs were important in their decision to attend UT and remain at UT.

• 90% of UT students who engage five or more times per week said participating with RecSports has “definitely” improved/ enhanced their physical strength, as compared with a national average of 77% of students.

• 70% of UT students who engage five or more times per week said participating with RecSports has “definitely” improved/ enhanced their stress management, as compared with a national average of 66%.

• 57% of UT students who engage five or more times per week said participating with RecSports has “definitely” improved/ enhanced their respect for others, as compared with a national average of 47% of students.

Everything Vols Need and Nothing They Don’t:

Transitioning Our Digital Communication Strategy for a Streamlined User Experience

Over the past few decades, as with everywhere in our society, the amount of content on UT websites exploded exponentially. This rapid growth kept pace with our competitors and was best practice at the time. But as more and more engagement with campus audiences has shifted, UT websites are now the university’s primary marketing tool. In spring 2022, UT communications professionals across campus began a digital transformation that would recast overwhelming and fragmented website messages to a streamlined content strategy with current and prospective students’ needs at the forefront of the conversation.

Today, web users expect to find the information they’re looking for in one quick search, within the top few search results, and within one click. To meet these expectations, we need to whittle down the amount of information into digestible, targeted messages that support our marketing strategy.

To do this, UT laid out a multi-year plan involving three key tactics: move content for faculty and staff into internal spaces, simplify web content and build stronger connections between various UT sites, and use what we know about audiences to share relevant information with them directly.

An intranet is a private network used to store information internal to an organization. At UT, we’re building multiple levels of intranet spaces, including spaces for all UT staff as well as spaces for individual divisions and departments. Within the Division of Student Life, Student Life Communications is leading the effort to move information and resources that are intended for employees into these intranet spaces.

Removing internal-facing content from public-facing websites means less information for web visitors to comb through, producing site architecture that is tailored to prospective and current students and their families. This means it’s easier for all Vols to find answers, get enrolled, and stay enrolled at UT.

Multisite

A multisite is a collection of websites that share common features and functionality. Behind the scenes, sites on a multisite are connected like branches to a tree trunk. If UT is the trunk, then the Division of Student Life is a large bough extending out from the trunk, and Student Life departments are twigs extending from the bough.

Intranet

While it is slightly more complex, this analogy demonstrates why transitioning web content to this model improves the user experience by building connections between our sites that make them easier to find. When all of the individual departments across the university are linked together, search engines can more easily recognize that the information within them is related.

Building these connections between sites improves UT’s domain authority, taking the burden off of the user to know where they need to navigate for answers. An organic search is far more likely to produce the desired information with a multisite approach.

An example of how this plays out may be if a user searches “UTK Housing.” Before the multisite development, a search engine offered results to non-UT sites within the top three links:

1. An off-campus property site

2. A global apartment search engine

3. A Reddit thread where students rank their residence hall experiences

After the multisite, the same search recognizes the authority of UT and the sites that branch from it. The resulting top three links are:

1. The University Housing website

2. The login page for students to manage their housing contracts

3. University Housing’s social media channels

MULTISITE PROGRESS

Since beginning the multisite transition in fall 2022, Student Life Communications has audited and redesigned 15 department websites, moving them into the multisite with the dedicated effort of one full-time digital communications manager.

Marketing Cloud and Salesforce CRM

Customer relationship management (CRM) platforms help large organizations manage interactions with their customers or clients. For many years various areas of UT have used CRMs to organize data about students and reach out to them for many different purposes. This decentralized approach, however, can contribute to a disjointed experience for the student.

UT is now working to centralize all student data into a CRM called Salesforce, one of the largest companies in the world. This centralized approach will allow all data about a student to be considered as a way to identify target audiences, enhancing the ability to craft messages that are customized for individual students. Rather than broadcasting messages to large groups of students who may or may not be interested in the topic, UT communicators will be able to identify students who have expressed interest through prior engagement with related programs or by self-electing to receive more information about the topic at hand. This approach will reduce the information overload of the general student population and elevate the relevance of messages students receive.

There are many reasons a student might choose to attend UT: for the championship sporting experience, the nationally-recognized academic programs, or the small community feel in a diverse metropolitan area. We have an opportunity to make the best of a first impression by providing a simple, easy, rewarding digital experience to prospective students and their families. By reducing the amount of information on our websites, building stronger connections between our sites, and tailoring the messages we send out, future Vols can find what they need when they need it.

INTRANET PROGRESS

The Student Life Portal was first launched in fall 2021. Based on feedback from focus groups, additional content was developed and a second iteration of the portal went live in April 2024.

The Employee Hubsite launched in fall 2023 with each Student Life department represented. Student Life Communications will expand content and develop a second iteration in 2024–2025.

WE ARE STUDENT LIFE

The Division of Student Life consists of 372 professional staff members and 1,628 student staff across 21 offices and departments.

These are the Student Life professionals who support opportunities for students to learn, lead, and serve.

Gerald Dwayne Adams

Jerry Ray Adams

Hope Marie Adkins

Esmeralda Aguilar

Deifalla Abbas Ahmed

Yusof Hussein Abdulhadi

Al-Wadei

Mark M Alexander

Saniya Arnae Andrews

Shakara Wykeisha Andrews

Tameka Tift Asante

Alan J Atchley

Jon Garrett Bacon

Robert Jason Baggett

Angie Beth Baker

Cayla Wheeler Bales

Bradford Allen Barham

AJ Cherokee Barkalow

Christina Nicole Barnes

Sean Christopher Basso

Angela Ann Bataille

Matthew Warren Batey

Lexus Sierra Beal

Adrius Raman Beaty

Amanda Thacker Beeler

Taylor Irene Bibee

Collin Scott Binkley

Stephen J Black

Debra DeListle Blair

Anita Marie Blatnik

Thomas Jefferson Boleyn

Timothy Aaron Boruff

Michael Shane Boswell

Judy Pauline Bowling

Adrian Lamont Brabson

Robert M Brabson

Andrea Acree Brayton

Damali Kyth Brooks

Clint Corey Brown

Melissa Ann Brown

Melvina Denise Brown

Mikayla Christianna Brown

Robert Ford Brown

Amy Kathleen Bruner

Sharon Leah Bruner

Kelly Irwin Bryant

Karen Jo Buchanan

Andrew Michael Buckner

Kenneth H Burgins

Theodore Lawrence Butler

Chad Emerson Butts

David Anthony Calvarese

Chelsey Marie Campbell

Ladarius Marquas Cannon

Tabitha Summers Cannon

Hunter Preston Carlheim

Andrew Myrick Carstarphen

Brigid Mary Casey

Andrea Michelle Chandler

Tiffany Marie Chaperon

Steven Michael Cheppo

Amanda Corum Clark

Chandra Clintina Cobb

Austin Jeremy Cole

Harriet Georgia Collins

James Rodney Combs

Sandra Michelle Combs

Ashley Brooke Conger

Sara Katherine Conrad

Rosann Rochele Cooke

Michael Keith Corder

Abegale Gomez Costilla

Dedra Katrice Cotner

Allison King Cox

Christopher Ramsey Cox

Devery K Cox

Melvin D Cox

Randall Todd Cox

John David Cressell

Ian Robert Crone

David Edward Crosby

Sarah Grace Crowley

Francisco Cuevas

Kirkesha Deshonta Davenport

Beth Nicole Hall Davis

Lakeese J Davis

Lindsay Jai Davis

Olivia Katherine DeAngelo

Nicholas Benjamin Deguzman

Juan Carlos Diaz II

Stacy Lynn Dishman

Robin Lena Dixon

Stacie Georgette Dixon

Tamiko LaShawn Dixon

Savannah Marie Dodson

Herbert Scott Donaldson

Christopher Lawrence Dorsett

Frank Edward Dotson Jr

Jeffrey Lynn Dotson

Crystal Denea Douglas

Jorden Robert Dray

Alexis Taylor Jade Dunham

Saralyn Horowitz Dunphy

Lauri Lynn Dusselier

Henry Hoyt Eaton

Elissa Jane Edwards

James Patrick Edwards

Joshua Milton Elder

Cynthia Lynn Ellis

Katherine Eleanor Ellis

LaPorshar Marie Elmore

Lori Marie Ervin

LaShanda N Eskridge

Danny Javier Faria Sanchez

Maggie Corrine Farley

Sondra Lynn Feldbusch

Darlene Ferguson

English Charday Fields

Hailey Rose Flavin

Kayvecese Tashave Forbes

Latasha Linell Forbes

Dianna Mary Antee Foulke

Megan Elizabeth Fox

Alyssa Taylor Franck

Natalie Barbara Frankel

Brandon Alexander Frazho

Cameron James Freeman

Tammy Dee Freeny

Shanna Colleen Fuller

Amber Vonne Galyon

Lane Austin Gandy

Brandon Edson Garcia-Juarez

Ciara Lexene Gazaway

Paige Nicole Gebhard

Zachary Austin Gee

Simphany Renee Gillard

Eileen Frances Ging-Auleta

Diane Katherine Goble

Susan Smith Gore

Emily Frances Gorlewski

Jolyon Colin Gray

Heather Elaine Graybeal

Spencer Duncan Gregg

Anna Faye Griffin

Tamara Michelle Griffin

Amanda Therese Griffiths

Pamela Denise Grissett

William Kerr Hahn

Selena Renee Hairston

Timothy Richard Hansen

Kimberly Faye Hardaway

Crystal Ann Hardeman-Ikem

Eric Allen Harrell

Adam Taylor Hathcock

Jason Michael Heath

Alyssa Nichole Hedrick

Carol Ann H Henderson

Claire Elizabeth Hensley

Tara Dyan Herber

Rachel Lynn Hickman

Alexandra Kay Hicks

Amelia Grace Hicks

Victoria Marie Hicks

Brian D. Hill

Robert Eugene Hill

Kimberly Diane Hinchey

Dextynnie Melaneice Hines

David Lee Hodges

Anthony W Holston

Jonathan Gary Howard

Madisien Celeste Howard

Amanda Lusby Huffaker

Byron Allen Hughes

Stuart Arnold Hurst

Tamam Nagash Jabir

Jamiya Tashae Jackson

Meghan Ann Jagnow

Stephanie Lynn Jain

Whitney Erica Jenkins

Kimberly Latrice Jerald

Heather Casteel Jett

Betsy Carol Johnson

Bonnie Kate Johnson

Jennifer Rose Johnson

Karen Swymer Johnson

Vickie E Johnson

Yolanda Zanitta Johnson

Zaccahrey Benjamin Johnson

Michael Earl Jordan

David Lee Joy

Mehak Kapoor

Robert Adam Keener

John White Keith II

James Randel Kilpatrick

Kylee Yvonne King

Peggy Lynn Klein

John Carlton Knight

Joel Khristopher Kramer

Michaela Ann LaFountaine

James P Lamb

Sarah Ann Lancaster

Lauren Nicole Large

David Wayne Laubach

Jake Edward Lay

Jack C Lebow

Robin Denise Lebow

Bianca Marcella Lee

Joyce Ann Leeper

Laurel Brooke Lefemine

Jeffrey Lynn Lenear

Rebecca Thomas Lenear

Luke Anthony Lenfestey

Lauren Meredith Lepchenske

Jerronica Shae Lethco

Michaela Shawnae Hi’ilani Licke

Lisa Marie Loar

Kathryn Evelyn Locke

Veronica Ravi Locke

Kerri Killgore Lovegrove

Michael Paul Lutz

Landin Fleres Lynd

Kirstie Lora Maner

Norman Kirk Manley Jr

Shelby Nicole Markel

Susannah Shiner Marshman

Mykel Eugene Martin

Kyle David McAlear

Yolanda Hahn McCaffrey

Charlie Tyrone McCaleb

Ami S McCarter

Shaun Gregory McComas

Natalia McCormack Valentin

Kevin Andrew McIntyre

Kayley Davis McMahan

Jennifer Allison McMullen

Kealy Ulrike Mead

Oscar Edison Medina

Heather Deniese Mercer

Dwyane Paramore Miller

Nakia Anngenta Mitchell

Kara Michelle Moore

Lucinda Carol Moore

NaQuaina Elaine Moore

Ashlyn Blaire Moran

Rebecca Lynn Morgan

Donna K Mount

Laura Ashleigh Moyer

Domenic Amara Mularo

Lloyd H Murray

Amy Gregory Myers

Chandra LaTara Myrick

David Djodj S. Ndiaye

Desiree Marie Newcomb

Perry Keith Newman

Bhoomika Digvijay Nikam

Kaprice Annette Noe

Carman Marie North

Jeffrey Dewayne Norton Jr

David Kesley Oaks

Sharon Onwuagba

Matilene Victoria Osho

Jessica Christina Ott

Noelia Nirza Pacheco Diaz

Jessica Renee Patterson

Kristi Liane Pearson

Sage Evelyn Pearson

Elle Johnson Peeples

Lydia Saleno Perry

Gabrielle Anne Phillips

Stanley Phillips

Joseph Edward Pierce

Lauren Elizabeth Pigott

Jamasha Carrie Pirtle

Kate Elizabeth Powers

Morgan Danielle Powers

Jessica Elaine Pradel

Terry S Preston

Anthony Prewitt

Jessica Ann Purkey

Christian Edward Qualls

Joswrany Argely Ramos Mendez

Philip Alan Randall

Carmanelette Johnson Rawls

Kellyn M Reisser

Melissa Rae Richter

Mario Charles Riles

Daphene Roberts

Brian Paul Rodgers

Amanda Gabrielle Rowland

Dominique Cantrell Rucker

Mya Alexis Rudder

Patricia Sue Rudder

Phyllis Ann Ryan

James C Salerno

Amanda Newman Samsel

Evan James Sander

Tayah Jordan Savage

Elizabeth Nicole Saylor

Leslie Alexander Schneider

Gregory James Schweiger

Austin Michael Seay

Max Anthony Seisser V

John Fisher Sexton

Julie Shelby-Davis

Kathryn Parker Shepard

Arthur Ray Shilling

Andrea Shockley

Jennifer Amanda Silcox

Michelle Pickel Singleton

Sandra K. Sisco

Christian Tierra Smith White

Adrianna Sherel Smith

Alyssa Karine Smith

Amaurie Manson Smith

Brandi Michelle Smith

Brianna Kathryn Smith

Darrell Laverne Smith

Grace Arden Smith

Jordan Noah Smith

Lori Smith

Matthew Hamilton Smith

Trista Charlene Smith

Denise Ann Spade

John Michael Sparks

Dennise M Stout

Beverly Faye Sutton

Francis Richard Swearingen

Christopher Denham Sweat

Monica Christina Sweeney

Kaja Switalska

Steven David Syoen

Clara Eleanor Talley

Jamesana Tate

Jeffery Stephen Taylor

Jeffrey Allen Taylor

Anna Nichole Teitt

Jennifer Pierce Thomas

Jacob James Toth

Teresa Jane Trammel

Kelvin Shimir Javon Tucker

Julia Jamea Turman

Jalesha Eshay Turner-Davis

Aruna Vivek Venkatesh

Donna Lee Voica

Pamela Michelle Waddell

Kelly Edwards Wakefield

Nneka Crystal Angela Walson

Serena Rose Walter

Alison Linsey Brown Ward

William Bradley Ward

William Timothy Ward

Chelsea Iesha Marie Webb

Heather D Webb

Todd Alan Webb

Blake Addison Weiss

Michael J West

Jess Moak Westcott

Allison B White

Anthony Lemar White

Elizabeth Ellen White

Jimmy Larry White

Willis Lee White

Arnold Brian Whitehead

Alexandria Elise Whittenberger

Amanda Sue Wiesenhofer

Kristin Nicole Wiggs

Jacob Kiser Wiley

Dequestarg A Williamson

Robin Leatrice Willis

William Evan Wilson

Aleecia Lynnette Wimes

Lee Anne Woody

Christopher Wayne Wright

Mary Margaret Wright

Sandra Galan Yelenosky

Jill Marie Zambito

Edward Ignacio Zirkle

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Christian Peyton Brown

Anna Elizabeth Wise

Samara Carpenter

Victoria Briana Swindell

Lucy Alexandra Bolin

Dianna Valeria Choque

Hayden Gregory Fukushima

Jaylen Tiwonge Hargrove

Kendal Victoria House

Alden Morrell

Ellsie Claire Saldivar

Carlos Castillo Mancilla

Ashlynn Zade Malone

Sarah Stambaugh

E’Monica Booker

Maiben Mackenzie Mitchell

Noelia Monserrat Rodriguez

Ashley Yasemin Seyrek

Jamie Michelle Baroff-Thompson

Camille Moffatt

Madison Sims

Gavin James Aitken

Zachry Aiden Aaron

Ethan Knull Brandt

Amy Solveig Clevenger

MacKenzie Haba

Savannah Rose Brown

Destiny Davis

Ethney Angelica Dosenbach

Estefany Gordillo-Rivas

Liyah King

Abigail Marie Kom

Peyton Mills

Amelia Louise Sandie

Maclain Best

Subhadra Dhakal

Kat White

Kylie Marie Autry

Nick McNeese

Sydney Annamarie Wright

Greer Henry

Haley Reis

Timothy Nesmith

Faith Michelle Sue D’Ablaing

Tori Hoffman

Bryse Jay Vrolijk

This list reflects Student Life employees prior to the printing of this publication. We are excited to have welcomed new staff since then, and we appreciate your contribution!

If you would like to make changes to the way your name is displayed, please complete the personal data form at hr.utk.edu/forms

700 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, TN 37996 | studentlife@utk.edu | studentlife.utk.edu