The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees at its annual meeting heard from UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman and her leadership team, who presented a vision for research and enrollment growth at the flagship university that includes targeted faculty hiring, place-based innovation districts and an updated strategic enrollment plan.
“UT Knoxville has the opportunity to make an even greater impact on the state, its people and its economy, and now is the time to make investments that will pay off for years to come,” Plowman said. “Our alignment with the state, our partnerships with industry and our firm financial footing put us in an enviable position to take our research to the next level.”
The board approved a zero tuition increase at UT Knoxville, new academic programs aimed at meeting growing industry demands, and real estate agreements on two properties near campus during the July 1 meeting.
Elevating a world-class research university
In a presentation at the June 30 education committee hearing, Plowman delivered a vision to elevate the university’s research impact by making strategic investments in key research areas aligned with state and national priorities like nuclear energy and advanced materials.
“If we want to move the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to the next level, it will take a strategic sustained effort over time,” Plowman told the committee. “We also are thinking differently about how we house these researchers and their teams. Collaborations among faculty, students, entrepreneurs, industry and government partners are how we drive a regional innovation ecosystem.”
The board approved an agreement for the university to enter a holding and option agreement with The University Financing Foundation, Inc., which is purchasing what’s known as the Maplehurst property on Hill Avenue between the Knoxville campus and downtown. The goal is to create an innovation district focused on computing and artificial intelligence. The university will work with TUFF to engage the community as it develops plans to turn the property into a live-work-play neighborhood.
Maplehurst would join two existing innovation districts — the Oak Ridge Innovation Corridor and the Peninsula Innovation District, which includes the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm — as hubs of public-private collaboration that lead to new technologies and start-up companies that boost economic development.
The $1.5 million Maplehurst agreement will last five years with a five-year renewal option and will allow the university, with community involvement, to explore potential development for the site while preserving the historical nature of the neighborhood. The goal would be development that combines retail, residential, corporate and academic space and support high-tech startups, corporate innovation labs, the Tennessee AI Initiative and other elements.
New academic programs meet industry demands
The board approved two new academic programs designed to support workforce needs in high-demand careers.
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in applied engineering, housed in the new Department of Applied Engineering and Technology in the Tickle College of Engineering, will provide hands-on engineering education with real-world applications. The program will help address the growing demand for skilled professionals in four industries throughout Tennessee — manufacturing, aerospace engineering, energy conservation and storage, and applied computer science—with concentrations in those areas.
The new Bachelor of Science in applied cybersecurity will be offered through the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies. The program will provide graduates with a foundational understanding of cybersecurity concepts and tools and techniques to identify, analyze and mitigate security threats.
The new programs are expected to launch in August pending final approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
Undergraduate tuition to remain steady for 2025
The board voted to approve a zero tuition increase for undergraduate students in fall 2025 as part of the university’s $2.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2026.
The board approved minimal increases totaling $64 for in-state students and $80 for out-of-state students to three of the university’s six mandatory fees to fund rising costs.
Housing fees will also increase between $300 and $590 per academic year depending on the residence hall and room selection, and dining fees will increase between $22 and $179 per academic year depending on the meal plan selected. The Total Access material course fee is increasing by $50. Total Access charges students a flat fee each term for all required undergraduate course materials. Students can choose to opt out of the program.
Strategic growth plan supports Tennessee, workforce needs
The university shared its new integrated enrollment plan, which includes undergraduate, graduate and fully online enrollment. The plan is the first of its kind at UT and focuses on expanding access through online learning while working to preserve the Volunteer experience for campus-based students.
By 2030, UT aims to enroll 55,000 students — 41,000 campus-based learners and 14,000 fully online students — while preserving the personalized Volunteer experience that sets UT apart.
To support its commitment to the state, the university plans to enroll more than 4,000 first-time, first-year students from Tennessee. Plans also include increasing transfer student enrollment by 20% through streamlined pathways, enhanced partnerships with community colleges and more robust support for transfer student success. Graduate enrollment growth will be driven by expanded academic offerings, targeted financial incentives, and strategic pipeline development to support continued education and meet Tennessee’s workforce needs.
“Our Tennessee access mission is the top priority in the university’s new strategic enrollment plan,” said Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Kari Alldredge. “It is anchored in our mission to deliver an exceptional student experience to all of our students — undergraduate, graduate and online — and will contribute to Tennessee’s workforce of the future by ensuring our graduates are prepared to thrive in their chosen careers and in alignment with our state’s greatest workforce needs.”
The university has set a goal of producing 50,000 new graduates by 2030 to strengthen the state’s talent pipeline and support its workforce needs. This total includes 20,000 new graduates in STEM, education and health sciences. As enrollment grows, UT is committed to sustaining an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio to ensure personalized learning experiences.
Lease to support student recreation
The board voted to allow the university to enter into a lease agreement for a 120,000-square-foot building at 2501 University Commons Way, which is part of the University Commons retail center. The lease term is for 99 years, and the university is prepared to prepay the $15.6 million rent. The university plans to use the space for student recreation.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Leko (876-974-8698, lleko@utk.edu)