Six faculty and staff members have been selected inaugural fellows of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Division of Diversity and Engagement for the 2020–21 academic year.
Fellows embody the Volunteer spirit of inclusive excellence, service, and content expertise. This cohort will support and enhance the division by focusing on unit administration; advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion; and deepening university-community partnerships that enhance town-gown relationships and help solve real world issues.
All initiatives will deepen UT’s commitment as the flagship, land-grant, research university in the state of Tennessee.
A major portion of fellow responsibilities centers around the advancement of diversity in academia, as the university seeks to build and sustain an inclusive campus for all Volunteers.
Deans of the eleven academic colleges are eligible to apply for funding through the Division of Diversity and Engagement.
Faculty Fellows
Shaina Destine
Critical race collective fellow and assistant professor
University Libraries
Mistunori Misawa
Associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Amber Roessner
Associate professor in the School of Journalism and Electronic Media
College of Communication and Information
Administrative Fellow
Ashton Cooper
Assistant director of the Honors Leadership Program
Honors & Scholars Programs
Office of Community Engagement and Outreach Imagine Tennessee Fellows
Stefanie Benjamin
Assistant professor in the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
James Williams
Associate professor in the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences