The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Campus Advisory Board met Friday to discuss record enrollment, updates on the Veterans Success Center, and initiatives in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
Chancellor Donde Plowman provided an update to the board, highlighting a historic year across the university that includes records in enrollment and research. In FY22, UT broke a record with more than $318 million in total research expenditures, reflecting the ambition of our faculty, the importance of their discoveries, and the support they are receiving from the university.
“We’re submitting more big grants and we’re getting more big grants,” she said. “In the research world, that’s the sign of a university on the rise.”
A university on the rise is how UT views itself, she said. “Everywhere you look, something great is happening that hasn’t happened here before.”
Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Kari Alldredge updated the board on key enrollment outcomes from the university’s first-ever strategic enrollment plan, which began in 2016. She shared planning efforts as the Office of Enrollment Management launches the next strategic enrollment plan, which will serve the university through 2030.
Vice Provost for Student Success Amber Williams discussed the work of the Veterans Success Center, including new initiatives and programs to elevate and enhance the experience of student veterans and military-affiliated students. Specific program updates include a customized orientation program to support veterans transitioning to college, the Veteran Impact Program, a new academic coach, and scholarship opportunities.
Dean Ellen McIntyre shared exciting happenings at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, including the launch of the Tennessee Reading Research Center—with a $5 million investment from the state—to study the most effective literacy learning practices. She applauded the college’s efforts to lead in procuring external grant funds for research and projects that support education for students and youth in schools. Many of the projects engage the Knoxville community by reaching out to underserved populations.
New board members Jordan Brown, Student Government Association president, and Joan Heminway, interim director of the Institute for Professional Leadership and Rick Rose Distinguished Professor of Law, were introduced.
Meeting materials and the archived webcast are available on the chancellor’s website.
About the board
The board was created in 2018 when the Tennessee General Assembly passed the UT FOCUS Act, restructuring the Board of Trustees and creating an advisory board for each campus in the UT System. The board is charged with making campus-level recommendations to the Board of Trustees on strategic planning, operating budgets, and tuition, as well as advising the chancellor. Members of the advisory board are Allen Carter of McMinnville, Alexia Poe and Tom Smith of Nashville, John Tickle of Bristol, and Tomi Robb of Knoxville.
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CONTACT:
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)
Lindsey Owen (865-974-6375, lowen8@utk.edu)