Priority 2: Supportive and Caring Community

Students Find Belonging Through Peer Mentoring Program

For new students arriving on campus for the first time, the sheer number of people, offices, and opportunities that make up UT can be overwhelming. But with the help and friendship of a peer mentor through Student Disability Services (SDS), new Vols registered with the office can have a kind and supportive welcome to campus and…
Going the Extra Mile: Serving Students from Across Tennessee with Low-Cost Transportation During School Breaks

Written By: Dez Newcomb, Outreach Coordinator, Center for Basic Needs As a student-centered initiative led by the Center for Basic Needs, the UT to West TN program is an example of the kinds of student support envisioned and executed by creative thinking and dedication. Each year, the program offers transportation during key campus breaks: Thanksgiving,…
First UT Collegiate Recovery Day Celebrates Student Journeys Amid Community Support

During the spring semester of 2025, a handful of students, committed to breaking the stigma around mental health and recovery, set out to host the first ever Collegiate Recovery Day event at UT. For the 306 students who made their way to the Student Union for mocktails, sober yoga, axe-throwing, and more, the event marked…
A Beautiful Mosaic: Celebrating the Unique Features and Common Goals of Four Greek Councils

Melissa Richter For more than 150 years, sororities and fraternities have helped shape the campus culture of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. But within these communities lies a rich and often untold story of how the Greek community grew over time into four separate and unique councils: Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Panhellenic Council, the National…
Driving Student Support at UT

Melissa Richter, SLC The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is taking innovative steps to ensure every student’s success by addressing their basic needs in new and impactful ways. The Center for Basic Needs has recently acquired an electric Ford F-150 Lightning truck thanks to funds available through a student fee. This purchase represents a significant investment…
Follow Your Heart: How Innovation Funding is Helping Students Manage Stress

Students are the heartbeat of the University of Tennessee, and now, thanks to Innovation Award funding and HeartMath technologies, those heartbeats are unlocking new ways to manage stress and regulate emotions. In 2022, the Division of Student Life launched the Innovation Awards, providing one-time funding to support groundbreaking initiatives that enhance the student experience. One…
Breaking Through Financial Barriers: The Power of UT’s Basic Needs Emergency Fund

When Jayden Tillery of Columbia, Tennessee, arrived at UT, he could not have imagined what Rocky Top would mean to him four years later. A business analytics major graduating in May 2025, Tillery chose UT for its endless opportunities and believed that anything was possible on this campus for him if he kept up his…
New Branches on the (Big Orange) Family Tree: Two New Programs Enhance Engagement for Volunteer Families

The University of Tennessee takes a holistic approach to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for the families of its students, recognizing the crucial role families play in student success and well-being. UT’s commitment to enhancing the family experience is evident through its comprehensive programs, accessible resources, and inclusive community initiatives aimed at engaging families…
Two-Pronged Approach to Alcohol Education to Support Healthier Decisions on Campus

According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, while roughly half of America’s college students reported consuming alcohol in the past month roughly half did not. But for many students embarking on their university careers, consuming alcohol can feel like a rite of passage or perhaps something they need to do to…
Feelin’ Fine: Tennessee’s Only Accredited Student Health Center Sets the Standard for Best Practice

In the 2022–2023 academic year, 10,836 students received care at the Student Health Center at a total of 26,452 appointments. The process for ensuring that every single one of those students receives the best care possible is an ongoing, self-monitored, and perpetual process. The Student Health Center is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health…