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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…
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Everything Vols Need and Nothing They Don’t: Transitioning Our Digital Communication Strategy for a Streamlined User Experience
Over the past few decades, as with everywhere in our society, the amount of content on UT websites exploded exponentially. This rapid growth kept pace with our competitors and was best practice at the time. But as more and more engagement with campus audiences has shifted, UT websites are now the university’s primary marketing tool.…
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No Guessing: How Data Drives Decisions for Campus Recreation
What does it mean to maximize the student experience at UT? For RecSports, this means carefully collecting data that drives a strategic and agile approach to programs, spaces, and supporting the overall health and well-being of every student. RecSports serves students, faculty, and staff by providing a wide variety of programs and well-maintained facilities for…
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Summer Stride: Reflections on a Summer of Personal and Professional Growth
I was sitting in the fourth row of a large lecture hall in Omaha, Nebraska when someone tapped me on the shoulder. “Are you from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville? I noticed your nametag. Your university is doing some incredible work that we have tried to mirror.” Over the next few days of the conference,…
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Undergraduate Research Inquiries Spark Enhanced Mental Health
Each spring, select students at the University of Tennessee prepare to share semesters’ worth of research at the Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURēCA). Students gather to present their hard work and dedication and share answers to their research questions with the university community. In April 2024, among a sea of 1,055 student…
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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…
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Campus Partnerships Increase Accessibility through Student Disability Services
During the past year, Student Disability Services has explored several avenues for expanded student support. Collaboration with other university units and student input has led to three new initiatives to help all Vols reach their full potential on campus. Kurzweil Expansion The office has expanded the availability of Kurzweil, one of the most popular digital…
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The Road to Commencement: Paved with Resilience and Community
Content Warning: The following story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please seek help. You are not alone. If you are a UT student, faculty, or staff in need of assistance, call or text 865-974-HELP (4357). When Bri Swindell (‘24) enrolled at the University of Tennessee in…
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Developing Skills and Solutions: Student Employment in Action Through Data Initiatives Within Student Life
As a student intern with Student Life Communications (SLC), I’ve had the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally. It’s a pleasure to give back to the university by assisting in the optimization of the student experience as well. In working with our SLC team, I’ve had great opportunities to learn more about how data…
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Supporting Record Retention through Basic Needs
At the University of Tennessee, student retention is at an all time high of 92%. This means that more first-year students returned for their second year on campus than ever before. One Student Life office contributing to this success in a very specific way is the Center for Basic Needs. In spring 2023, the Hope…