University of Tennessee, Knoxville Student Life Spring 2025 Impact Report
SPRING
2025
STUDENT
LIFE IMPACT REPORT
The Division of Student Life is made up of a myriad of personalities, CliftonStrengths, abilities, and backgrounds. When put all together, the resulting unit contributes to a distinct and incredible Volunteer student experience.
The offices and opportunities available through the division launch student growth and facilitate development in creative ways. Partnerships with staff across campus enhance the student experience by providing support and fostering engagement with community organizations, creating a more enriching collegiate journey for all Vols. Three student/ staff mentorship pairs are highlighted to illustrate the support available at the individual student level.
Our commitment to personal and professional growth has never been stronger. From housekeepers to directors and vice chancellors, every staff member that makes up Student Life is an integral part of the Volunteer story and has access to tools and education to be their best self at work.
This issue also includes a special emphasis on stewarding resources to support the student body, including a special new purchase for the Center for Basic Needs and a reimagined student ticketing experience.
From crafting campus collaborations that expand programs to celebrating opportunities that have a lauded history at UT, we are proud to share these stories of Student Life’s collective impact with you.
In the Volunteer spirit,
Frank Cuevas Vice Chancellor for Student Life
Mark Alexander Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
EXECUTIVE
ART
MANAGING
CONTRIBUTING
Landin
Steven Bridges Ian Crone
Dianna Foulke
Allie Hicks
Abigail Kom
Blakley O’Brien
Kellyn Reisser
Melissa Richter
Student
University
Breven Walker
Megan Zimmerman
PRIORITY 1
TRANSFORMATIVE 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.
As an official CliftonStrengths campus, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville has partnered with Gallup to allow all incoming students to take the CliftonStrengths assessment at no cost to them, train faculty and staff members as certified coaches, and infuse CliftonStrengths into academic courses. Focusing on strengths instead of deficits is a core and guiding philosophy of student success and support at UT, and the university is committed to providing the assessment to all incoming students no matter when they join UT in their journey, from first-year and transfer students to graduate and professional students.
Incoming students complete the in-depth and comprehensive CliftonStrengths assessment to discover their strengths. Defined as the ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance in a specific task, strengths can be a guiding tool for students. While talents exist naturally, strengths must be developed and result when talents are refined with acquired skills and knowledge.
Students can also access individualized coaching from Gallup-certified coaches on campus. In some classes, students are paired with a coach for a deeper dive into their strengths and how to apply them to various aspects of their lives.
In this story, meet three of these students and their UT CliftonStrengths coach who provided support and insight at critical moments of their journeys.
Genesis Nolan and Chandra Myrick
Genesis Nolan was matched with UT administrator Chandra Myrick, associate vice chancellor for Student Life, in the spring of her sophomore year while enrolled in the Emerging Leaders course through the Jones Center for Leadership and Service. Emerging Leaders is a cohort-style class where students study servant leadership, learn from leaders in the community, visit other universities, and participate in change projects focused around topics that could benefit the university in positive ways.
“My relationship with Chandra started with learning what my strengths are and how to properly use them to be a servant leader, and we really clicked,” says Nolan. Nolan notes that most coaches meet with students 1-2 times, but Nolan and Myrick continued their mentorship connection.
“One aspect of being a CliftonStrengths coach is having a chance to explore strengths with another individual to better understand all the strength themes, not just your own top 5,” says Myrick. “Coaches get a copy of their student’s top 5
CliftonStrengths report to review ahead of time and learn about any of their strengths we aren’t familiar with. It serves as a good refresher of the strength themes.”
Myrick notes that in her initial meeting with students they examine which strengths resonate with the student, answer questions they may have about their strengths, and explore anything the CliftonStrengths assessment revealed that the student may feel doesn’t quite fit.
“Her top 5 strengths made sense to Genesis, so we talked through how her top 5 show up for her as a person and a student but also how these strengths impact her family relationships, her friendships, and her leadership,” adds Myrick. She observed that Nolan was a natural-born leader, with remarkably high selfconfidence and assuredness.
Myrick, who serves on a national roundtable committee examining ways to better the undergraduate student experience in
STEM fields, was also uniquely positioned to support Nolan’s academic goals in STEM as a senior majoring in animal science with a minor in entomology and plant pathology.
“The beauty of coaching is watching students find their own way,” says Myrick. “For Genesis, this was exploring how her strengths operate in the STEM field. She knows who she is and what she brings to the table, and she doesn’t shy away from her strengths.”
“As we continued meeting, Chandra helped instill a love for my CliftonStrengths and it’s helped me be a more adaptable leader, finding ways to serve people as best I can,” says Nolan. “I love my strengths.”
“As we continued meeting, Chandra helped instill a love for my CliftonStrengths and it’s helped me be a more adaptable leader, finding ways to serve people as best I can. I love my strengths.”
—Genesis Nolan, senior studying animal science
Jada Lester and Joe Pierce
After participating in a VOLbreaks trip in spring of 2024 with the Jones Center, Jada Lester became a VOLbreaks trip leader herself. The alternative breaks program offers students an opportunity to engage in direct service with communities, performing short-term projects with local agencies and learning about critical challenges. VOLbreaks trips are conceived, planned, and led by students alongside a faculty learning partner.
A senior, Lester is majoring in psychology, and her spring VOLbreaks trip took her to Moncure, North Carolina, where she served as a camp counselor for neurodivergent kids. For the VOLbreaks trip she would be leading, Lester planned a return trip to North Carolina, this time to Asheville with a focus on sustainability. Lester hoped to provide the best experience UT could offer to trip participants, bent on making sure it was as memorable to the students as her own experience had been to her.
As part of her training to be a VOLbreaks leader, Lester was paired with CliftonStrengths coach Joe Pierce, associate dean of students. During their first coaching session, Pierce and Lester explored her top 5 strengths with an assignment that would prove profoundly helpful.
“As a coach, I ask students what’s most beneficial for our time together: learning about their strengths or examining a real challenge they’re facing and working through it using their strengths,” says Pierce. “Jada was already familiar with her top 5 strengths. Her biggest fear was that something outside her control would impact everyone’s VOLbreaks experience, so we discussed that possible scenario using strengths.”
Pierce assigned an exercise for Lester that outlined a stepby-step plan for reacting to emergencies, sharing information, and other steps that would help Lester feel more secure in her leadership
role if something happened to impact the trip or its participants.
The VOLbreaks trip was planned for UT’s fall break, October 5-8, 2024, and Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, including Asheville, just one week prior on September 27.
Lester’s biggest fear came true.
“The what-if scenario exercise became a reality for Jada, and she needed to be operating with her CliftonStrengths in mind in that moment. That’s the moment when strengths came to life for her.”
—Joe Pierce, Associate Dean of Students, on the moment a VOLbreaks trip was reimagined due to Hurricane Helene
“It’s the most profound coaching opportunity I’ve had so far,” says Pierce. “The what-if scenario exercise became a reality for Jada, and she needed to be operating within her CliftonStrengths in that moment in order to be not only successful as a VOLbreaks leader but to manage her own human response to such a major setback. That’s the moment when strengths came to life for her.”
Lester shared that she struggled with the disappointment of all of her hard work going to waste in addition to the grief she felt over Hurricane Helene’s impacts to a region she cared for deeply. But she put her strengths to work in that moment. From calling each participant individually to share that the trip needed to be restructured to persuading them to remain part of the trip, she developed the new project and made sure everyone still achieved their goals of learning, service, and community impact.
“We had to completely reimagine the trip, packing months of preparation and planning into just one week as we pivoted to a VOLbreaks experience supporting Helene relief efforts in Knoxville,” says Lester. “We still wanted to connect participants with that community, even if we couldn’t be there.”
The group served at a Knoxville food pantry packaging emergency food supply kits for those impacted by the hurricane, and Lester believes she was still able to create an enjoyable, meaningful service experience overall.
To this day, Lester keeps the CliftonStrengths exercise in her binder.
Madison Howard and Ciara Gazaway
When Madison Howard was paired with CliftonStrengths coach Ciara Gazaway, Howard was still trying to figure out college life and find her path. The pair quickly grew a very positive connection. Howard and Gazaway met several times the first semester they were paired, and then were matched again for a class Howard was enrolled in later. Now, Howard, a sociology major with
a minor in social justice, says she sees Gazaway as more than just a CliftonStrengths coach but also as a mentor and source of support for her academic, personal, and professional journey.
“In that first meeting, you can gauge where students are in finding community on campus,” says Gazaway. “Are they being mentored by anyone else, have they gotten connected, do they know what resources are available, things like that.” Gazaway notes that coaches can assess whether a student has what they need to be their best self on campus and pursue their full potential.
“Coaching is a support mechanism for students,” continues Gazaway. “Every meeting might not be focused on CliftonStrengths, but strengths is the foundation of that relationship and the lens through which you can help students grow.”
Gazaway focused on growth and development, helping Howard make choices about student organizations and leadership positions based on her dreams and strengths. Gazaway notes that coaches simply provide the tools to use CliftonStrengths, but it’s the student who puts those in action.
“Sessions with Ciara really opened my perspective to what is possible when we get to truly know ourselves outside of the explicit definitions of our strengths,” says Howard. Their sessions consisted
of an activity centered on CliftonStrengths and application to real-life situations occurring in Howard’s life at the time.
“Ciara really pushes reflection, and although it was frustrating at times when I couldn’t see the bigger picture, getting me to think about how my strengths have presented in the past has helped me learn for the future,” says Howard. “Knowing that someone on campus is invested in my wellbeing and success has encouraged me to seek out and accept opportunities that I never would have considered.”
During her junior year, a host of challenges arose for Howard all at once, from leading a student organization to planning for her first trip abroad to working through some personal situations. Recognizing the stress she was under, Howard met with Gazaway to discuss what to do when strengths are challenged in different ways all at the same time.
“Ciara encouraged me to make a list of my strengths and identify how they were challenged,” says Howard. “We talked through each situation and brainstormed ways to use my strengths in unconventional ways to regain some stability.”
“Knowing that someone on campus is invested in my well-being and success has encouraged me to seek out and accept opportunities that I never would have considered.”
—Madison Howard, senior studying sociology
Gazaway urged Howard to use her strengths in partnership with one another rather than picking just one to exhaust. Howard notes it was the most difficult coaching session she has had, but that she still uses the tools Gazaway gave her to work through troubles now, months apart from that conversation.
Howard notes that three years of coaching sessions with Gazaway helped her know herself better and consider how her strengths show up in her day-to-day life in all aspects, not just in academics or leadership.
Howard concludes that “I now see and reflect on my experience at UT with a broader perspective because of Ciara and her consistent influential support.”
Bermuda Grass (9,337 sf)
Little Richard Glossy Abelia (5)
EXISTING LANDSCAPE
TO
EXISTING LANDSCAPE
TO BE REPLACED IF DAMAGED DURING CONSTRUCTION
Eastern Bluestar (123)
Bloodgood Japanese Maple (5)
Little Richard Glossy Abelia (11)
Savannah Holly (1)
Japanese pachysandra (109)
Brigadoon St. John's Wort (49)
Big Blue Lilyturf (65)
Jim Porter Sweet Olive (13)
Duke Gardens Plum Yew (68)
(25)
Big Blue Lilyturf (25)
Big Blue Lilyturf
Big Blue Lilyturf
Burgundy Lacebark Elm (1)
Sweetbay Magnolia (4)
Sweetbay Magnolia (5)
Otto Luyken English Laurel (5)
Big Blue Lilyturf (348)
THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS:
Spring 2025 Student Life Construction Updates
Frieson Black Cultural Center
$4 million
Adds 6,000 sq. ft. of new student meeting space and service area, outdoor programming on 1st floor and a 2nd floor balcony
Melrose Park
$4 million
Creates a handicap accessible path from west campus expansion to the heart of campus
Presidential Court Building
$24 million
Creates space for campus dining, Center for Basic Needs, esports complex, multimedia lounge, resource center for off-campus students, Student Life Technology, and Sorority and Fraternity Life
Student Health Center
$3 million
Increases office space to allow for more services, creates a dedicated space for Rocky Top Recovery
Student Union Eastside Plaza
$4 million
Creates a grand, new entrance to Student Union, space for food trucks, and a stage with terraced lawn seating
Student Union Updates
$15 million
Improved outdoor meeting space
Sutherland Fields
$5 million
Replaced turf and added drainage, new service building for training and events
Beacon Hall
$113 million
Adds 1,166 beds to University Housing inventory, convenient Lake Avenue parking, located near Rocky Top Dining
Poplar Hall
$99 million
Adds 788 beds to University Housing inventory, located close to TRECS
Torchbearer Hall
$126 million
840 20th Street
$2.2 million
Allows for expansion of on-campus sorority housing
Carolina Laurel Cherry (4) Jim Porter Sweet Olive (4) Trident Maple (8)
Adds 1,028 beds to University Housing inventory, UT Creamery on 1st floor, located in the heart of campus close to academic buildings
(6) Morning Glow Camellia (1)
Duke Gardens Plum Yew (3) Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea (37) Duke Gardens Plum Yew (1,742 sf)
MID-TENN TURF FESCUE BLEND (80%/20%) (334) Big Blue Lilyturf (197) Big Blue Lilyturf
(2) Pond Cypress (5) Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea (6) Otto Luyken English Laurel (6)
Little Richard Glossy Abelia Morning Glow Camellia
Southern Charm Magnolia (6) Otto Luyken English Laurel (25)
College students today are feeling more isolated than ever. A 2022 study published by the National Library of Medicine highlighted that students face greater challenges in forming close relationships compared to previous generations. The national study revealed that 26% of college students report feeling lonely, with firstyear students being especially vulnerable to these feelings. This raises an important question: what can the University of Tennessee, Knoxville do to ensure that every student feels the campus is truly their home sweet home?
At the heart of this effort is University Housing’s Living and Learning Communities (LLCs)—programs designed to foster a sense of belonging both inside and outside the classroom. Helping new Vols invest in a community of their peers can prove crucial to retention and we truly aim to start that by welcoming them on day one!
Having worked in University Housing for the past four years, I have witnessed firsthand the growing need for community among today’s students. Social media, combined with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, has reshaped the collegiate experience, leaving many students feeling disconnected and lacking resilience.
The mission of LLCs is simple but impactful: to create a supportive environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally. This year, we welcomed 803 students into 11 distinct LLCs. These communities allow students to live and learn alongside peers who share similar majors or interests, while participating in specialized programming tailored to their ultimate goals. Engineering LLC students have weekly study nights to prepare for exams, Honors LLC students have exclusive events hosted by Honors staff, and Business LLC students have networking opportunities with industry professionals. As we saw growth in eight of our eleven LLCs from 2023 to 2024, we hope to continue that momentum with the addition of more LLCs in the future.
And the best part? Our program makes a real difference. Survey data from last year’s LLC students at UT revealed they felt more connected to their peers and the university, with rates as high as 81% agreement or strong agreement to this sentiment. Moreover, LLC students consistently achieve higher GPAs than the campus average. In fact, 683 of our 803 students had between a 3.01-4.0 GPA in fall 2024. Positive outcomes highlight the incredible impact of collaboration between University Housing; campus partners, like academic and faculty liaisons; and the students themselves.
The program also creates opportunities for leadership development for students. The LLC ambassador program is a leadership opportunity for students to work alongside the professional LLC staff to plan events on a larger scale. For some, this experience leads them to pursue other campus leadership positions, such as serving as a resident assistant or office assistant in University Housing.
Given the many opportunities on campus, it is sometimes tough for students to know where to start, so connecting to something that enhances your personal and professional capabilities is a key to success before you even get to campus. We also hope that the many programmatic offerings allow each student to broaden their horizons and ease their transition into their Rocky Top life as a new Vol.
from homesick to
HOME HOME sweet
The Impact of Living and Learning Communities at UT
ABIGAIL KOM Graduate Assistant, University Housing
683 of 803
LLC students had between a 3.01–4.0 GPA for fall 2024
20TH ANNUAL BLACK ISSUES CONFERENCE
CELEBRATES HISTORY, COMMUNITY, AND THE FUTURE
ALLIE HICKS Coordinator, Multicultural Student Life
Every year, the month of February at UT opens with the Black Issues Conference hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Life with assistance from the UTK Chapter of the NAACP. This spring marked two decades as the conference celebrated its twentieth anniversary on February 1, 2025.
Since its founding, the conference has welcomed thousands of registrants, featured local vendors and participation from neighboring colleges and universities, and hosted renowned speakers including actress and Emmy-winning host Tabitha Brown, former Mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum, and Grammy Award-winning producer and recording artist David Banner.
So much of what has made this program a success for the last twenty years has been the involvement and support of the community. Beyond hosting students, faculty, staff, and community members from our own campus and the Knoxville area, this year’s attendees included guests from five additional institutions across the state. To honor the conference’s historic ability to celebrate culture, create impactful spaces for community and belonging, and inspire continued progress, the 20th Anniversary Black Issues Conference theme was appropriately “Legacy and Innovation: Reflecting on Our Past, Embracing Our Present, and Envisioning Our Future.”
Since the conference focuses on togetherness, honoring history, and engaging dreams for the future, the involvement of local youth organizations throughout Knoxville felt especially powerful. Among these organizations were the National Achievers Society, founded by the Knoxville Area Urban League to identify and inspire academically accomplished minority high school students throughout Knox County, and UT’s FUTURE Postsecondary Program which empowers young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The opening performance delivered by Drums Up Guns Down, a local violence prevention initiative empowering youth through traditional West African drumming
and cultural education, set the tone for the day by welcoming attendees with a special performance, evoking the conference theme of ‘Reflecting on Our Past” through culture and tradition.
As a way to “Embrace the Present” and celebrate the conference’s legacy and evolution, Tierney Bates, a former assistant director of Minority Student Affairs (now known as Multicultural Student Life) and one of the original organizers of the Black Issues Conference in 2005, returned to campus to deliver the program’s welcoming address. Launched through student drive and initiative, the Black Issues Conference was created to address the need for a forum committed to dialogue and research about the experiences of African Americans throughout the state of Tennessee and the country. This conference and its history demonstrate a deep relationship with the people and community of Knoxville.
Motivation to “Envision the Future” shone through the keynote address delivered by this year’s esteemed guest speaker Erika Alexander, an activist, producer, writer, entrepreneur, and actress known for her roles as Maxine Shaw in Living Single and Pam Tucker on The Cosby Show. Alexander provided a hope-filled message encouraging
attendees to embrace and reclaim the past and present while imagining a future filled with innovation and progress.
One of the most impactful features of this year’s program was a tribute honoring Ralph Boston, an Olympic athlete and former UT staff member. Boston’s legacy at UT is profound. He was instrumental in initiating Black History Week, organizing the Black Arts Festival, co-founding the Black Faculty and Staff Association, and advocating for the formation of historically Black Greek-letter organizations on campus. Highlighting the legacy of a trailblazer who shaped the university’s present, Boston’s story reinforced the importance of the foundation he helped lay and inspired attendees to envision their own impact on the future of the UT.
Annually, as attendees depart the Black Issues Conference, they carry with them not only new information from the sessions’ presenters but a sense of belonging and connection to the community—honoring past legacies, embracing the present, and envisioning the future.
Formerly known as the Charlie Lemmons Endowment, the Black Cultural Center Endowment supports programs through the Frieson Black Cultural Center that will engage university students to become aware of their heritage and inspire their future.
Given by Ron Frieson (‘81) and his wife, Belinda Stubbfield in memory of “Papa Charlie” Lemmons. Lemmons was a natural leader and strong advocate of education who helped shape the lives and futures of his children and grandchildren, especially twin grandsons Ron and Don Frieson and granddaughter Lisa Frieson. Ron, Don, and Lisa are all UT graduates.
MLK Jr. Days of Service: UT’s Tribute to a Lasting Legacy
BLAKLEY O’BRIEN
Student Intern, Jones Center for Leadership and Service
Martin Luther King Jr.’s lasting legacy reminds us of the value and necessity of service, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s MLK Jr. Days of Service reflect his profound commitment to community. Hosted by the Jones Center for Leadership and Service, the annual initiative organizes consistent volunteer opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to support local nonprofit organizations.
Over the span of 10 days in January and February, 18 Knoxville community partners hosted 776 Vols serving a total of 2,007 hours and generating an astounding $66,913 in economic impact. Students at Ladies of Charity restocked shelves, organized and priced donations, and arranged items in the food pantry. With partners like Keep Knoxville Beautiful, Knoxville Parks and Recreation, and Ijams Nature Center, volunteers removed trash and invasive species. Service at The Muse, a local children’s STEAM museum, saw students and faculty support daily discovery activities to enrich the experience of the day’s visitors.
The Division of Student Life continued its dedication to bettering Knoxville with nine departments participating in service. The Center for Care and Resilience served with the Knoxville ReAnimation Coalition at Odd Fellows Cemetery, supporting Katherine Ambroziak and her team’s work to restore a historic cemetery in East Knoxville. The Center for Student Engagement worked with the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, while the Center for Student Advocacy and the Center for Basic Needs served at the Sertoma Center, an organization facilitating programs for adults with intellectual disabilities.
MLK Jr. Days of Service’s record-breaking engagement emulates the Volunteer spirit and demonstrates a genuine dedication to Knoxville. The Jones Center is grateful for the students, faculty, and staff who gave their time to service and the community partners who generously welcomed them into their organizations.
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.
A BEAUTIFUL
Celebrating the Unique Features and Common Goals of Four Greek Councils
For more than 150 years, sororities and fraternities have helped shape the campus culture of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. But within these communities lies a rich and often untold story of how the Greek community grew over time into four separate and unique councils: Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Panhellenic Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC). Much like a beautiful tapestry needs fabrics of multiple colors and cuts, these councils represent different histories and identities—born from the need to create spaces of belonging—but together, they form one thriving and united community.
Since 2014, the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life has been fostering deeper relationships between these councils through two innovative programs: the Cross Council Exchange and Meeting in the Middle. These initiatives have become cornerstones of collaboration, showcasing the transformative power of shared understanding and collective action.
The Cross Council Exchange was established as a one-day event to bring together representatives from all four councils. Held once each semester, this exchange focuses on building connections and fostering a stronger sense of unity within the Greek community. Through fascinating activities and discussions, participants engage in self-exploration, gain appreciation for others’ experiences, and learn how their organizations can make a combined impact on campus.
“Cross Council Exchange is an opportunity to dip your toe in the water,” said a participant. “It’s a fun and impactful event that gives us the chance to ask important questions: Why do our organizations exist? How can we work together to create a better campus community?”
For many, the Cross Council Exchange is the first step toward building bridges across councils. It’s also a celebration of the differences within Greek life at UT, where each organization’s unique history is
recognized and valued. From IFC’s long-standing traditions to the culturally rich MGC and NPHC organizations, and the legacy of empowerment upheld by Panhellenic, the exchange highlights the common threads that connect them all.
While Cross Council Exchange lays the groundwork, Meeting in the Middle takes it a step further. Hosted each fall, Meeting in the Middle selects members from all four councils to participate in five sessions focused on leadership competencies such as organizational behavior, power dynamics, group development, and creating change. These thoughtful conversations foster meaningful relationships and encourage participants to see their shared challenges and strengths.
One participant reflected, “Meeting in the Middle showed me how other councils experience similar issues. It’s been inspiring to see our differences and similarities and how we can work together to create a more welcoming community.”
The program culminates in actionable outcomes. Participants report increased appreciation for cultural identities, greater motivation to support one another’s events, and a commitment to supporting the success of their organizations. As one student explained, “Power dynamics can create divisions, but by understanding these challenges, we’ve been able to come together as one community to support each other.”
Perhaps the most tangible demonstration of collaboration is in service. All four councils participate in initiatives like supporting the Ronald McDonald House, where members work side by side to make a meaningful impact. In 2024 alone, UT’s Greek community served over 103,000 hours and donated more than $1 million to philanthropic causes. These efforts exemplify how unity magnifies impact—creating ripples of positivity that extend far beyond campus.
Programs like these remind students that their differences are really their strengths. By choosing to support and understand one another, the UT sorority and fraternity life community is not only creating opportunities for students to learn, lead, and serve, but also setting an example for the entire campus.
“When we come together, our efforts create a larger impact,” said a participant. “It’s about more than just our councils or chapters. It’s about creating a culture where everyone feels seen, recognized, and heard.”
As UT’s Greek community continues to grow—with a 12.4% increase in membership in 2024—programs like the Cross Council Exchange and Meeting in the Middle ensure that this growth is rooted in understanding, respect, and collaboration. Each council, chapter, and member brings a unique perspective that enriches the community as a whole. Together, they are proving that by finding common ground, we can create a campus culture that inspires and uplifts us all.
Greek Life
103,536 hours of service
an average of 11.68 hours per member
21.1% increase from 2023–2024
$1,021,702 in philanthropic donations
an average of $115.30 per member
35.8% increase from 2023–2024
29% of undergraduate students are members of a Greek-letter organization.
12.4% increase membership from 2023–2024
3.49 average GPA across the Greek community in fall 2024
Higher than the all-campus average for 16 consecutive semesters
What are students saying about Meeting in the Middle?
“I have been able to learn more about other councils and organizations and how they operate. I learned a lot about the history of these chapters as well as why there are separate councils. I think it’s important to recognize how different the councils are before we try to come together. I now have a larger appreciation for the other chapters (simply because I know more about them) and am even interested in attending more of their events in the future.”
“Participating in Meeting in the Middle has helped increase my appreciation because it showed me how other councils and organizations also experience similar issues that my chapter faces. I also feel like we’ve been able to share aspects of our chapter that make us different too and highlight our cultural identity.
“I believe that I have been able to learn more about other councils. I feel like I have been able to engage in conversations with other people, and I really want to collaborate more. It has given me motivation to appreciate other councils and see our similarities and differences and how we all want to feel included by each other.
“I think organizational behavior discussed at our first meeting was really the tipping point for me examining that we all struggle in some of the same areas. And we can use that struggle to become more unified as a chapter, as a council, and as a community.”
DRIVING STUDENT SUPPORT AT UT
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is taking innovative steps to ensure every student’s success by addressing their basic needs in new and impactful ways. The Center for Basic Needs has recently acquired an electric Ford F-150 Lightning truck thanks to funds available through a student fee. This purchase represents a significant investment in the well-being of UT students, demonstrating how student fees are directly transforming lives on campus.
Through programs like the Big Orange Pantry, students can receive a variety of non-perishable and fresh foods, hygiene products, and other essential items. The center also provides financial assistance to support or give access to a student’s basic needs in cases of emergencies that can be addressed or resolved with one-time financial support with the Basic Needs Emergency Fund. By addressing a wide spectrum of student basic needs, the center plays a vital role in fostering an environment where students can thrive.
Officially known as the Student Environmental Initiatives Fee, the “Green Fee” as it is commonly known, was established by Student Government Association vote in 2005 to provide funding for campus sustainability projects. It is administered by the Student Environmental Initiatives Committee (SEIC), a representative body of students, faculty, and staff. This collaboration between the Office of Sustainability and the Center for Basic Needs exemplifies UT’s commitment to making meaningful improvements to the student experience.
While any UT department can access vehicles through Fleet Management, the addition of this truck means the center has its own dedicated vehicle, ensuring convenient, quick, and cost-effective access to the supply chain that supports its programs. This means more frequent trips to Second Harvest Food Bank, the delivery of furniture to offcampus students, and other critical operational support.
“This truck is a game-changer,” shared Blake Weiss, director of the center. “Not only can we enhance the quality and variety of options available at the Big Orange Pantry, but we can also explore innovative ways to meet student needs, such as household goods deliveries and expanded services. It’s a huge step forward in supporting our students.”
As Weiss alludes to, the vehicle opens up new opportunities for the center to extend its services beyond its physical locations. The latest opportunity this truck has afforded is a chance to support students who need household items like beds, mattresses, desks, lamps, and other essential home goods donated to the center. The center is partnering with Warehousing Services to store these larger items, and this type of collaboration reflects UT’s dedication to fostering a campus environment where every student has the resources they need to thrive.
“We provide home delivery directly to students who need these items since they are often large and bulky or in the instance that a student is without a vehicle that can transport the items,” says Weiss.
As a university on the rise, UT understands that student success and retention goes beyond the classroom and includes caring for the physical, mental, and financial well-being of every Vol with personalized approaches to student success. By harnessing the purchasing power of student-driven initiatives like the Green Fee, UT continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to student success. By continuing to encourage partnerships across campus, projects like this can become reality, and the student experience for every current and future Vol is improved every time we make those connections.
Together, the UT community is proving that innovation, sustainability, and care can drive transformative change—one truckload at a time.
it takes a
(multicultural student Life) village
When life presents unexpected challenges, it can be difficult to imagine how to move forward. When she found out she was pregnant, Taylor Simms was ready to give up and drop out of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. But through personal resilience and a deeply rooted campus community, she has continued as a student and is on track to make her dreams a reality.
“Taylor is one of those students you can depend on to do anything,” says Anthony Prewitt, director of Multicultural Student Life. “If we stepped away or left her specific instructions, Taylor was the student worker we knew could handle any situation.”
Prewitt first met Simms three years ago as the newly-hired director. Simms had gotten involved with the office in her first year on campus and had just completed a year in the Multicultural Mentoring Program where she was paired with a younger UT student. In that role, she helped her mentee find opportunities for enrichment on campus and locate academic support services, while generally providing encouragement.
An energetic and involved student, Simms has worked as a student ambassador in the office all four years. In this paid position, she worked tabling events to share about the office’s initiatives, provided hands-on support during live programs, provided customer service, helped with facility setup for group meetings, and generally supported staff needs. During 15–20 hours a week, Simms quickly and easily became like family to the professional staff.
Then, Simms’ life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant in the summer of 2023.
“When Taylor told our staff that she was pregnant, we just said ‘we’ve got you’,” says Prewitt. “It seemed like she had this fear of ‘what am I going to do now’ but we just affirmed her over and over. We said ‘Your life doesn’t have to stop when you become a mom. It just gets better! You might have to be flexible, but you’re gonna make it.’”
Simms looks back on that time and credits the support she received through Multicultural Student Life as a big reason why she was able to stay enrolled. A specific conversation with mentor Simphany Reneé also served as a turning point.
“I had just come from a doctor’s appointment, and I was thinking ‘I don’t know how I’m going to be a mom and go through college,’” says Simms. “I walked into Simphany’s office and she told me I could do it. She said I was prepared, that everyone was excited for me. And that I could count on them to support me through whatever I needed, even if what I needed was to take a break from UT.”
“I had just come from a doctor’s appointment, and I was thinking ‘I don’t know how I’m going to be a mom and go through college.’”
—Taylor Simms, senior studying biochemistry
Simms gave birth to a daughter, Layla, last January and was able to continue in her classes with support from the Office of Title IX. Despite taking a lighter course load during the first year of Layla’s life, Simms is now a senior on track to graduate in December with a degree in biochemistry. Simms is considering a master’s degree before eventually going to medical school to become a pediatric oncologist.
“One of the things I want to instill in Layla is that you can do hard things,” says Simms. “I tell myself this constantly, that a lot of things seem hard in the moment, but in the future it won’t be as hard. I never want her to get in a situation that is hard and let it limit her. So many times people can see things are hard in the moment and they want to give up. But when you get over that moment you can look back and think ‘oh, that wasn’t so difficult. I did it, and I could do so much more.’”
Prewitt notes that there have been times when Simms has struggled, juggling classes, motherhood, and being in a relationship. But she was always able to rely on her village to reassure her that everything was going to be okay.
“I’ve had so much support from the family I’ve made on campus, from Multicultural Student Life and the Dean of Students and others,” says Simms. “They are very supportive of me, but also of Layla. They love to see her, they ask about her, and I feel that support unconditionally.”
Some of Layla’s first moments, including some of her first steps and some of her first words, happened in the office, and staff members refer to Layla as “the MSL baby.” Periodically, staff may even be found with Layla playing in their offices to support Simms while she leads or attends a student organization meeting.
During her career at UT, Simms restarted a student organization that had been dormant, continues to serve as a multicultural mentor, joined a sorority, encourages other Multicultural Student Life ambassadors and younger students, curates and arranges events or programs for the office, and is an excellent mom.
“I can’t say enough how proud we are of her,” says Prewitt, who has watched Simms persist. “Taylor is someone that I am honored to know, and both she and Layla are precious to our department. Her resilience, her ability to push through, to trust the staff when she feels overwhelmed and communicate that she needs help; she is a treasure.”
Simms’ younger sister also attends UT and works for Multicultural Student Life, and Prewitt notes that Simms embodies the Volunteer Creed in this relationship and many others among her peers.
“We said ‘Your life doesn’t have to stop when you become a mom. It just gets better! You might have to be flexible, but you’re gonna make it.’”
—Anthony Prewitt, Director, Multicultural Student Life
From August to January, staff in the Dean of Students, Pride Center, and Multicultural Student Life spent !
75 hours providing individualized support to students.
PRIORITY 3
PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
The Division of Student Life advances the personal and professional growth of students and staff through exploration and innovation.
with
CLEANING MEANING:
Housekeeping Supervisors’ Professional Development Creates Positive Residence Hall Environments
MEGAN ZIMMERMAN
Student Intern, Student Life Communications
Moving into a residence hall as a first-year student can be an adjustment. On top of moving away from home and family for what is likely the first time, residents are learning a variety of skills from time management to how to do their laundry by themselves. In a time when many could experience nervousness about their new life chapter, University Housing staff members create a welcoming foundation for students to build upon during their time at UT.
Along with resident assistants, the housekeeping staff members in each residence hall work to provide a positive experience for residents not only by maintaining the facilities but also by being another welcoming face for students to turn to.
Nakia “Nikky” Mitchell first began working as a temporary housekeeper in 2004 and became a full-time staff member a few years later. After a break in employment, Mitchell returned again as a temporary employee in 2015.
Back on the housekeeping staff, Mitchell was given an opportunity to become an assistant supervisor in Hess Hall and after a year was promoted to the supervisor position in Brown Hall. Today, she oversees 13 custodians and one assistant supervisor in Robinson and Geier Halls as the housekeeping supervisor.
Similarly, Chandra “Cece” Cobb began as a temporary employee before rising to the position of supervisor. Starting her journey in January of 2017, Cobb became a full-time employee after two years working as a temp. A year and a half later, she was encouraged by her supervisors, Jessica Patterson and Harold Murray, to apply for an assistant supervisor position.
“I didn’t think I would actually get it but I did, and it started my journey down at Dogwood Hall as an assistant supervisor,” said Cobb. From there, Cobb moved to Carrick Hall and was promoted to supervisor. She is now the supervisor in Hess Hall, where she oversees eight custodians and two assistant supervisors.
Both supervisors have found that their work experience with University Housing has contributed greatly to their professional development, helping them to gain both practical and personal skills in the field.
“We’re not just here cleaning; we’re here to support students too.”
Nikky Mitchell, Housekeeping Supervisor, Robinson and Geier Halls
“I interact with people and interact with students, and it helps you to not only grow at work but grow outside of work,” said Mitchell. She has also learned a variety of information regarding advanced cleaning tactics which have helped to further her abilities, benefiting the residence hall experience overall.
Cobb recognized how becoming a supervisor has created opportunities to develop computer skills as well as communication skills, primarily with her staff whom she strives to support however possible.
“Right now I have eight staff members and I learned eight different personalities,” Cobb said. “That way I can learn how to support them when they have an issue going on.”
Not only are housekeeping supervisors overseeing the work of their respective staff, they interact with residents daily, promoting a positive environment within residence halls and on campus. Talking with students regularly, Mitchell strives to support the residents in Robinson Hall and Geier Hall however possible, whether they need help working a washing machine or need a little encouragement before a big exam.
“We’re not just here cleaning; we’re here to support students too,” Mitchell said.
When Cobb thinks of how her role has impacted resident life, she recalls a story from her time as a supervisor in Carrick when she happened upon a student experiencing an emergency health event. Cobb, along with the help of a hall director, dropped any other tasks to focus their attention on the student and get her the help she needed.
“Right there and then I made a special bond with her because after we got her situated, I went and checked on this student almost every day until I knew that she was okay,” Cobb said.
She emphasized that supporting students is one of the most essential parts of the job, working primarily with first-year students who are living on their own for the first time.
“Sometimes I feel like a mom instead of a supervisor,” Cobb said.
Mitchell, who has two children in college herself, recognized how she would want someone to be there for her kids, inspiring her to support her residents daily. Her routine presence in Robinson and Geier allows her to do so, further contributing to the University Housing mission at UT.
Having risen from the role of temporary employees to housekeeping supervisors, both Mitchell and Cobb’s stories reflect the Division of Student Life’s commitment to professional development by supporting every staff member to grow in their field. The mission to support employee success fosters an environment that allows each individual to pursue their best, most authentic self in the workplace.
As the division prioritizes both professional and personal growth, Mitchell and Cobb’s shared experiences have helped them to excel in their field while gaining meaningful insight beyond the world of housekeeping, carrying over into their daily lives.
340
A January staff training included 24 housekeeping and maintenance supervisors and leaders, representing a combined 340 years of experience at UT.
Volunteers at Work: How Serving in Professional Organizations Supports Staff at UT
IAN CRONE
Professional staff members at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville demonstrate what it means to be a Volunteer as they serve and lead their respective higher education associations. Whether publishing, presenting educational sessions at conferences, or serving in regional or international leadership roles, Student Life staff make meaningful contributions to their vocations while raising the profile of the university and division. Volunteer leadership results in expanded professional and personal networks, valuable development opportunities and exposure to new places, new ideas and new ways of thinking; all of which benefit our students here on Rocky Top.
Serving in higher education professional associations yields powerful benefits for the staff volunteer. Relationships with colleagues from peer and aspirant institutions across the region and the world, exposure to best practices throughout the student affairs industry, and a valuable forum to compare notes and gain insights in order to improve programs to name a few. For some, this rich network of association colleagues creates an extended community for encouragement, processing shared challenges, or new ways of thinking.
Just as volunteer service in the community helps undergraduates to learn and grow, volunteer leadership roles facilitate valuable learning experiences for UT staff. Student Life staff who present or publish are challenged
to master and convey cutting edge concepts. Planning and promoting educational conferences, managing not-for-profit association budgets, and leading peers creates valuable learning experiences that augment the professional development gained on campus and can be reinvested in the UT community.
Visiting other institutions and stepping foot into new environments can bear creative solutions to space constraints or challenges. And the focus that many professional associations have on competency development results in skills, knowledge, and ideas reflecting the bleeding edge of innovation.
As staff from the Division of Student Life serve in volunteer leadership roles in their respective professional associations, the investments they make yield significant results for UT and our students on campus.
LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
In spring of 2025, Ian Crone, director of the UT Student Union, was elected to serve as the president of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Board of Trustees by the organization’s membership. ACUI is a higher education professional association supporting college union and student engagement professionals in their service to students and in the advancement of campus community. Founded in 1914, ACUI equips student union professionals from around the world with educational content, professional certification, professional core competencies, and much more.
“The impact this professional association has had on my vocation is enormous,” stated Crone. “Every volunteer experience I have had pays me back multiple times over in exposure to best practices, new experiences and skills, and professional colleagues who have become friends.” Crone has been serving ACUI in a variety of volunteer capacities for more than 25 years.
Director, Student Union, and President, Association of College Unions International
Developing Soft Skills for Staff through the Student Conduct Process
At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the purpose of Student Conduct and Community Standards is to develop student integrity and accountability through an educational, consistent, and equitable conduct process.
Throughout this process, students have a fundamental right to a university-trained advisor who can help them understand the conduct process and make informed choices that are in their best interests. This relationship creates the opportunity for skill development for the professional staff member serving as an advisor while also creating a more equitable process for students involved in misconduct allegations.
The role of a university advisor is to assist, advise, and support a student involved in the conduct process.
“Advisors play an important role on campus in that they help students better understand the process and feel as if they have a support system to help them navigate it,” says Amanda Samsel, director of Student Conduct and Community Standards. “They help students not feel so alone in a significant moment in their lives.”
University-trained advisors also help provide equity in the process from a financial and family standpoint. Not every student can afford to hire an attorney to advise them or have supportive family members they can reach out to for help. Or perhaps a student has a strong family support system but those family members did not attend college and thus feel as confused as their student might in understanding the conduct process at a university.
University-trained advisors provide free support, guidance, and information to students. Through this relationship, students can safely process their conduct incident and better understand the steps they need to take to resolve it.
Skills like conflict resolution, empathy, active listening, building trust and rapport, interpersonal communication, and others are key abilities that staff can develop and sharpen in their involvement in the conduct process.
“It really opened my eyes to the opportunity that staff have to help students grow into mature adults who make ethical decisions,” said one advisor. “Helping students in a difficult time of their lives has been an honor. As they welcome my life experience and insight into the conversation around their behavior, ultimately my own abilities are strengthened, too.”
At UT, since the student conduct process is focused on development and education, the advisor relationship is supportive versus punitive. University staff who serve in this role represent many different divisions and departments on campus. Engaging faculty and staff across the university in this role for student development also supports staff growth as they evolve in their leadership and personal skills.
“I am incredibly grateful to serve as a university advisor through the student conduct process,” says Hailey Flavin, assistant director for the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life.
“As someone that used to work in student conduct prior to coming to UT several years ago, serving as an advisor allows me to reconnect with this passion. In particular, as I have served as an advisor through the Title IX process for students, I have been able to continue my development as a professional in the world of Title IX, an area that is a huge passion for me.”
Whether it’s gaining further understanding in specific conduct areas, like Title IX or academic misconduct, to deepening abilities in the areas of empathy and relationship-building, serving as a university advisor is a unique aspect of staff growth and professional development in Student Life.
“Serving as a university advisor is one of the greatest privileges that I have at UT. I am grateful for the support that the Student Conduct staff provides to those that serve in this role and believe
that their process allows for students to feel heard. Having the opportunity to support students and watch them develop through the process has been an honor.
”
—Hailey Flavin, Assistant Director, Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life
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.
How Blackthorn Event Management Streamlined Program Assessment
DIANNA FOULKE Associate Director, Center for Student Engagement
As any higher education professional knows, the ability to effectively share the impact of our work for the students we serve is critical not only to our ability to continue that work, but to grow and improve it over time. When the staff in the Center for Student Engagement learned that UT would be adopting a new platform to streamline program assessment into one system with just a few clicks, we were cautiously optimistic. After surpassing the learning curve that comes with any new software, the implementation of the Blackthorn (Vol Connect) platform for the fall 2024 semester has transformed the team’s ability to assess, analyze, and report on the impact of over 116 programs from the fall term.
Program assessment for the Center for Student Engagement is concentrated on two key data categories: 1) identifying who we are and aren’t reaching in the form of event and student demographic data and 2) determining if we are delivering the programs students want and need in the form of student feedback. Adopting a robust calendaring system for student programming has streamlined this process, enabling us to handle everything in one platform, enhancing efficiency and accuracy at every stage of the assessment process—from data collection and analysis to application and communication.
Historically, comprehensive program data could only be compiled and shared with staff and students after the semester ended, once there was sufficient time and capacity to merge spreadsheets and run calculations to create the report. By leveraging an enterprise calendaring system across Student Life and ensuring that
all student attendees are checked in, we now have the ability to compile all demographic information for any single event or group of events in minutes. Event feedback forms are automatically sent to every event attendee within 12 hours and resulting data can be pulled the next day.
Now, program data can be accessed in real time through a single report and is regularly shared during weekly staff and student leader meetings. This allows programs still in the planning phase to be adjusted based on recent student feedback. Marketing efforts can be enhanced or redirected based on how students report discovering programs. For example, marketing data available with this shift supported the budget, time, and labor the center puts into posters, as it was revealed as the most effective form of event promotion. For student staff hauling A-frames for strategic sidewalk placement and posters for distribution in residence halls across a 910-acre campus, this metric is helpful in demonstrating the impact of their work.
Upcoming programs and funding requests can also be adjusted to better align with student needs and preferences. Information gathered from the fall 2024 and early spring 2025 semesters will influence all event proposals and funding requests for the 2025–2026 calendar of events. Data available has already revealed to center staff and student leaders that a shift is needed in the live entertainment being brought to campus, pursuing social media and podcast entertainers rather than traditional celebrity speakers.
Beyond the department, we can confidently and promptly share the impact of our work with Division of Student Life leadership and partners, backed by accurate and reliable data. Currently, live event data is being pulled and shared in biweekly staff meetings and weekly student organization meetings. The ability to share this information in real time has not only provided an opportunity for staff and students to see and understand the true impact of their work on a consistent basis but has sparked conversations on how to continue to reach a wider campus audience. For example, when student leaders saw the vast difference in male versus female event attendance, they began adding different elements to events to potentially appeal to a wider range of students, like adding Lego sets as part of the many offerings of Kindness Day, and considering repeat events that had higher male attendance, like the March Madness watch party hosted in 2024. This comprehensive approach ensures that our efforts remain student-centered, datadriven, and adaptable to evolving needs.
While Blackthorn has revolutionized program assessment for our team, it hasn’t come without its challenges, frustrations, and a steep learning curve. However, these lessons have prepared us for a stronger spring and set the stage for even greater success in the next academic year. As student affairs professionals, we embrace challenges, and now, equipped with the right tools, we are committed to doing our part in delivering the best student experience in the country at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
“The comprehensive approach implemented through Blackthorn ensures that our efforts remain student-centered, data-driven, and adaptable to evolving needs.”
Dianna Foulke, Associate Director, Center for Student Engagement
fall 2024
events hosted by the Center for Student Engagement
In 2023, 16,077 students were selected in the ticket lottery and awarded at least one ticket throughout the home football season. In 2024, that number grew to
21,999
which means 5,922 more students were able to attend at least one game in 2024 than 2023.
A TOUCHDOWN FOR STUDENT TICKETING:
Student Life and Athletics Partnership Helps More Students Experience Neyland
102,000 screaming fans in orange and white. The Pride of the Southland Marching Band playing Rocky Top. A host of student-athletes running through the Power T. Fireworks, flyovers, Tennessee Walking Horses, and cheerleaders.
Nothing quite describes the energy and explosiveness of Neyland Stadium on game day when the Tennessee Volunteers take ShieldsWatkins Field. Cheering for their university is a student tradition and thanks to a new partnership between the Division of Student Life and Tennessee Athletics, more students were able to participate in this tradition in the 2024 football season than in previous seasons.
In addition to supervising the student section inside the stadium and staffing the student gate for entry into the stadium, the Division of Student Life has been responsible for managing student ticketing to football and men’s and women’s basketball for many years.
It’s no secret that demand for student tickets has skyrocketed the last few seasons as UT’s football success has grown. And while a ticket lottery has been in place for student football tickets for many years, the increased demand for a fixed number of student tickets left many without an opportunity to attend a game at Neyland.
After selling out all but one home game in 2022 and 2023, student ticket administrators revamped the process in the spring of 2024 to combine student tickets with the Rocky Top Rewards program operated by Tennessee Athletics. Once combined, the student loyalty program meant students were eligible to earn T-credits by attending other sporting events and some campus-wide events as well. All T-credits earned increased their chances of being selected in the lottery for a student ticket to football games. Not only did these additional avenues to T-credits increase their likelihood of purchasing football tickets, it also grew the student experience across campus and at every athletic event.
After one season of implementing the new system, some immediate rewards are easy to see. In 2023, 16,077 students were selected in the ticket lottery and awarded at least one ticket throughout the home
football season. In 2024, that number grew to 21,999, which means 5,922 more students were able to attend at least one game in 2024 than 2023. This represents a 36% increase in the number of students who were able to experience Neyland Stadium on game day.
This increase is especially noteworthy since 2024’s football season was the most competitive UT football season since the 1990’s, with extremely high demand for allotted student tickets.
The changes in the system also meant upgrading to a new ticket management system to support all student ticket purchases in 2024. This change created fewer technical issues for students and streamlined the user experience for students.
“Gaining access to TicketMaster through the partnership with Athletics really heightened the customer service experience that we could provide for our students, and our team in Student Life worked diligently to ensure students could continue accessing athletics information through the same channels as previous years,” says Susannah Marshman, assistant vice chancellor for leadership and engagement.
“This change along with continuing to manage the student gate and assisting with the management of the student section inside Neyland resulted in a very successful season for the student ticketing experience overall.”
When it comes to the student experience that applicants and current Vols expect, making the football gameday experience as smooth, as enjoyable, and as accessible as possible is Student Life’s priority. The division continues to seek opportunities to streamline the ticketing experience and steward university resources to further the Volunteer experience every Saturday that happens in Neyland.
Cultivating Leadership through Collaboration: Ignite Program Partners with Colleges and Departments
BLAKLEY O’BRIEN Student Intern, Jones Center for Leadership and Service
Marked by long-standing traditions in its decades of service to Volunteers, the Ignite program strives to develop leadership skills and cultivate community engagement. The Jones Center for Leadership and Service champions the program’s continued evolution and growth through sustainable partnerships with academic colleges and campus departments to enhance student success.
In June 2024, the Ignite: 865 session with the Haslam College of Business saw students explore local businesses and connect with regional leaders at Cirrus, DeRoyal, and Tombras. Tours with Haslam College ambassadors enabled students to understand available academic resources that accelerate their career readiness. An inaugural partnership with University Honors welcomed students to Rocky Top with engaging activities to build relationships and understand their CliftonStrengths. The Jones Center’s continued collaboration with the Student Government Association created the second iteration of Ignite: First-Year Council, where the incoming cohort of first-year students develop key connections and explore team identities to initiate a successful year.
For decades, the Ignite program has strengthened community involvement, cultivated vital leadership competencies, and fostered meaningful relationships among its students. The office looks forward to broadening its collaborations and leveraging the program’s strengths to ensure the success of all Volunteers.
As a result of participating in an Ignite program, of participants expressed an increased sense of community.
91%
97% of Ignite student leaders reported an increased level of self-awareness surrounding their leadership capacity
