The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities has recognized the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for excellence in multiple key areas — innovation, economic development, student success and community engagement.
At the organization’s annual meeting, held Nov. 11 in Philadelphia, UT was named the recipient of its top award in the Innovation and Economic Prosperity category — the Innovation and Economic Prosperity Economic Engagement Connections Award.
The award honors projects and initiatives that demonstrate excellence across three categories — talent and workforce development; innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development; and place development via public service, outreach and community engagement. UT was recognized for promoting innovation and regional development and addressing a range of challenges facing the state.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for such a prestigious award that validates our commitment to our mission — supporting our state and making life better for Tennesseans,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “I’m proud of our faculty and students for leading the way both in innovative research and creative collaboration that directly benefit the communities we serve.”
Excellence in student success
In October, APLU named UT among the five finalists for its inaugural Excellence in Student Success Award. The award recognizes institutions demonstrating a comprehensive systemic commitment to advancing student success, underscoring the transformative role public universities play in expanding access to higher education.
In its award application, UT’s Division of Student Success shared its overhaul of first-year student programming and the implementation of strengths-based Vol Success Teams, among other achievements. In the five years since the division was established, the university has experienced record retention and graduation rates.
Recognition for community engagement
In August, APLU named UT a regional winner of the 2025 W. K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award and a finalist for the national C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Scholarship Award. The award program honors colleges and universities that have redesigned their learning, discovery and engagement missions to deepen partnerships and achieve broader impact in their communities.
UT was recognized for its collaboration with River Valley Health (formerly Cherokee Health Systems) to address gaps in research at federally qualified health centers and improve care. In 2023 the partnership launched a new initiative, Research and Education Aligned for Clinical and Community Health, which leverages RVH’s frontline clinical insights and UT’s research capabilities to identify community health issues. The REACCH collaboration provides opportunities for UT faculty, undergraduates and graduate students to participate in engaged scholarship while implementing innovative, effective and nationally recognized community-engaged research and teaching programs.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, sestep3@utk.edu)
