Written By: Tess Valkovschi, Junior Studying Marketing, and Leila Robinson, Senior Studying Psychology
This past summer, we had the privilege of interning in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life, focusing on strategic initiatives, through the Vols in Student Affairs program. Over the course of six weeks, we collaborated on building a new framework for a student affairs mentorship program, designed to connect undergraduate students at UT who are exploring careers in higher education with meaningful professional guidance. Our work included research-driven use case recommendations, flexible models for implementation, and options for sustainable growth. We are proud that this framework will serve as a foundational tool for the Student Life team’s updated 2025–2026 program.
What made this internship unique wasn’t just the scope of our project, it was the immersive, holistic way we were invited to explore the world of student affairs. Alongside 10 other student interns in the program, we participated in cross-campus conversations, joined staff meetings, and met with higher education professionals from 12 different UT offices. We also visited six institutions across Tennessee and Kentucky, gaining exposure to a variety of campus environments and leadership styles. Through CliftonStrengths coaching and resources from NASPA, a professional organization for student affairs administrators in higher education, we developed a new language for understanding our values and work styles, and all-around developed professionally and personally.
This experience not only helped clarify how student affairs could fit into our long-term goals, but it deepened our understanding of what it means to create change from within a university. What was especially meaningful about our six weeks is that we attend UT, therefore we were both the customer and the contributor all summer, giving us a rare, dual perspective that made our work feel especially relevant and powerful. Not only did we have our own experiences to draw on in conversations with faculty and staff, but we had the opportunity to develop programming and offer insights into initiative planning that directly affects us and our peers. Furthermore, we now carry a deeper appreciation for the people working tirelessly behind the scenes to support student success.
As we return to campus, we carry with us a renewed sense of confidence and enthusiasm for how we’ll continue engaging with UT, and how we’ll step into our future careers. This is thanks to the mentorship, relationships, and insights we gained through the 2025 Vols in Student Affairs summer internship cohort program.
In addition to UT, summer 2025 Vols in Student Affairs participants represented ten schools:
Florida State University
Georgia State University
James Madison University
Miami University of Ohio
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Missouri Columbia
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
University of Tennessee Martin
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Wichita State University