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Well-Being Expert Visits UT for the Volunteer Experience

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Patrick Akos, consultant to the University of Tennessee and professor of education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, visited campus November 11-12 to meet with faculty and staff to discuss well-being, student success, and the Volunteer Experience.

While at UT, Akos met with campus leaders from the Office of the Provost, Teaching & Learning Innovation, College of Arts & Sciences, and College of Education, Health & Human Sciences. In addition, Dr. Akos hosted a campus-wide workshop to demonstrate the impact of well-being on students’ holistic success.

“The institutional commitment to student well-being is amazing,” Akos said. “From Provost Zomchick to academic departments to Teaching and Learning Innovation to the First-Year Programs team and the entire Division of Student Success – everyone is deeply committed to helping ALL students not only learn but also thrive.”

Professor Akos consults with UT’s Strengths Advisory Council, charged by Provost John Zomchick, to propose actionable items to support the Volunteer Experience as articulated in goal one of the Strategic Vision. His discussions and presentations focused on incorporating well-being into the undergraduate experience and understanding from a holistic perspective how students will thrive when their strengths and well-being are considered. This work will produce graduates who are self-motivated, resilient, confident, and driven by service.

“Dr. Akos understands how to develop deeper meaning in the work we do towards students’ academic success,” Amber Williams, vice provost for the Division of Student Success, said. “Our Volunteer community was better able to understand how our work will make a transformative difference in the lives of our Volunteers who want to succeed and make a meaningful difference in the world.”

The Office of the Provost is partnering with Teaching & Learning Innovation and the colleges to launch faculty-specific programs and initiatives to develop the Volunteer Experience across campus.

Contact:

Lacey Wood (laceywood@utk.edu)