We are proud to share our story and amplify the work of outstanding Student Life professionals who are dedicated to creating transformational experiences for students to learn, lead, and serve.
We create transformative opportunities for students to learn and grow outside of the classroom. We connect with community partners to engage students in service, giving back to our local and global community. We invest in physical spaces where students live and work to create a home away from home. We value personal and community well-being by providing unique opportunities to find the balance students need to be their best at UT.
We are the student advocate, the mentor that develops the emerging leader, and the support that students lean on in time of need. We cultivate the Volunteer experience every day through our programs, spaces, and resources. We are Student Life.
Transformative Experiences
Student Life provides opportunities for students to develop a sense of self by understanding their individual strengths, values, and goals, and expanding their leadership capacity. We empower students to connect with the broader community through civic engagement, and enhance the overall campus experience by providing services and programs to students.
Meeting Students Where They Are: Engaging Graduate Students - When walking around campus on any given day of the week, it’s likely that an event or program is taking place to engage students. More than 30,000 students attend UT,… 
Inaugural Volunteer Impact Academy Creates Connections - More than 50 first-year students participated in the inaugural class of the Volunteer Impact Academy, or VIA, an immersive four-year experience for students who embody what it means to be… 
Strengthening our Partnership with Habitat for Humanity - Since 1997, University Housing has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build homes in the Knoxville community. This year marks the completion of 18 houses since the partnership first began.… 
Serving the Knoxville Community - Service is at the heart of who we are as Volunteers. We bear the torch and bring light to others by showing up and lending a hand to our community.… 
Preparing New Leaders through Rocky Top President’s Institute - by Nneka Walson, coordinator for the Center for Student Engagement The Center for Student Engagement (CSE) is committed to developing student organization leaders through Rocky Top President’s Institute (RTPI). RTPI… 
Transforming Student Learning - Student Life creates transformative learning experiences for students to develop their sense of self and their individual strengths to become better students, leaders, and professionals. Typically occurring during a training,… Culture of Care and Inclusivity
The Division of Student Life cultivates inclusive education, programming, and services. We develop and implement care and support initiatives that foster success and well-being.
Families Are Helping to Shape the Student Experience at UT - When a student attends UT, the Family Engagement team in the Office of the Dean of Students helps shape the student experience by providing support to the entire family. Parents… 
Increasing Student Access to Support Resources - Student Life has continued to increase the availability of virtual services and support, following the initial onset of COVID-19 in 2020. Ensuring that all students can access services and classes… 
Safe Zone at UT Continues to Expand, Implements Third Tier Workshop - Since the implementation of Safe Zone at UT, the educational workshop series has seen consistent growth in participants, increased support from the university leadership, and the opportunity to take the… 
Wellness Wednesdays - by Emily J. Johnson, 2021–22 intern for the assistant vice chancellor of Student Life, Master of Public Health, ’22 Wellness Wednesdays is a recurring semester-long program designed to provide unique… 
Passion for Access - by Kristi Pearson, interpreter/transcriber for Student Disability Services Who could have guessed a simple ABC book in American Sign Language (ASL) would have ignited such a spark that would alter… Personal and Professional Growth
The Division of Student Life advances the personal and professional growth of students and staff through exploration and innovation.
Professional Fellowship Program Continues to Expand - The Division of Student Life is committed to enhancing the professional development of division staff. Assistant Vice Chancellor Jill Zambito and executive leadership saw an opportunity to pair individual staff… 
21 Years into the 21st Century: A Review of the Student Life Summit - by Blake Weiss, special projects coordinator for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life The Division of Student Life hosted the Student Life Summit for the second time… 
Student Life Reimagines Graduate Assistantship Matching to Employers - by Blake Weiss, special projects coordinator for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life Each year, the Division of Student Life hosts the College Student Personnel (CSP) Recruitment… Responsible and Effective Stewardship
The Division of Student Life responsibly and creatively stewards university resources to empower and sustain a culture of collaboration, adaptability, and innovation to maximize the student experience and subsequent student learning.
Making Space: Creating Partnerships for Student Engagement - Student Life creates space for all Volunteers by offering engaging and transformative programming through strategic partnerships and collaboration with offices across campus. Student Life staff are dedicated to ensuring each… 
Student Life Expands Capacity to Meet Student Needs - A year into a new strategic plan, the Division of Student Life announced the addition of new positions to our team. The recent growth is a key component to the…