Graduate students are a dynamic group, each bringing their unique background and aspirations to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in pursuit of higher learning. To help them find connection and support, the university has developed intentional programming to show graduate students that UT is more than just a campus — it’s home sweet home.
More than 8,000 graduate students were enrolled at UT during the fall 2024 semester, a 34% increase from 2019. As more students than ever are drawn to UT’s academic programs and the Volunteer experience, the university’s Division of Student Life noted that graduate students — who are often juggling classes with work and family responsibilities — needed connection and support resources designed for their unique needs.
“Graduate students balance their coursework, professional commitments and personal responsibilities, making it essential to provide tailored support and meaningful connections,” said Frank Cuevas, vice chancellor for the Division of Student Life. “By curating resources designed specifically for their unique needs, we are creating transformational experiences for students to learn, lead and serve.”
Housed in the division, Multicultural Student Life and the Center for Student Engagement strive to cultivate a welcoming environment for students to build connections and create community. The centers’ engagement and development opportunities adopt a student-first perspective, empowering students to prioritize their academic and personal well-being while preparing them for the workforce.
Socials, speaker series, game nights, research presentations and other activities are planned around the graduate school schedule to provide students with outlets for academic and social connection. In addition to campus events, events are held off campus at local sporting events and community spaces to get students involved in the Knoxville community.
“I have had the incredible opportunity to meet and interact with students from all over the world,” said Iyanuoluwa Oyetunji, a third-year Ph.D. student from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, studying community nutrition. “I now have friends and connections from countries I never thought I would get a chance to visit. This allows meaningful cultural exchange and enhances mutual respect and understanding. Most importantly, I have the opportunity to be taught, mentored and to work with faculty members who are amazing scholars in their fields and are dedicated to student success.”
Oyetunji is president of UT’s Graduate Student Senate, where he represents the graduate and professional student body to university leadership. This experience has taught him the importance of community, especially for the growing graduate student population.
“UT is attracting scholars from all over the world,” said Oyetunji. “As an international student from Nigeria, I totally understand how disorienting and hard it could be to settle in a new environment: different faces, different culture, maybe even a totally different language — and, of course, a different accent while being several miles away from home. The opportunities we have to meet other graduate students in the same boat as us is incredibly important to keep us connected to the campus community.”
In addition to student life efforts, the Graduate School hosts Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week each spring. The week includes movie nights, career development events and an appreciation brunch to celebrate the accomplishments of graduate and professional students as well as the faculty and staff who support them.
By developing programming that supports holistic student wellness, UT is helping graduate students understand their strengths and succeed in and out of the classroom. As Tennessee’s top public university, with enrollment on the rise and recent successes in research and academics, there’s never been a better time to be a Volunteer.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, mpalme19@utk.edu)