KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Division of Student Success and the Office of the Provost welcomes New York Times best-selling author and Harvard professor Arthur C. Brooks to headline the UT Thrive Summit on Wednesday, November 15, as the event’s keynote speaker.
Fall on Rocky Top is a vibrant season. Campus comes alive as new Vols transition to college, and returning students rejoin the community to continue their journey towards graduation. While football season is in high gear and students seek out opportunities with student organizations and the like, there is another season at play starting in late August. That is career and internship fair season.
Several times throughout the year at UT, inspired by the camaraderie of a traditional barbershop, students gather for a special event, “Barbershop Talk,” designed to bring Black and Hispanic men together. These Barbershop Talks provide a safe, welcoming space where participants can openly discuss life’s experiences, share their stories, and seek advice while enjoying the hospitality of getting a haircut.
UT’s 2023 Discovery Day took place Tuesday, September 12 in John C. Hodges Library. This year’s exhibition featured the largest number of student researchers since its inauguration in 2015.
Amber Williams, vice provost for Student Success, and Meredith Malburne-Wade, director of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, offered opened remarks and welcomed researchers, faculty, staff, and guests to two sessions, one from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and one from 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
This year’s event featured 115 student researchers presenting 105 projects. These students represented seven colleges and 41 different majors. In addition, 74 faculty members from eight colleges and 39 different departments mentored these researchers, with 17 of those mentors supporting multiple posters.
Vice Provost of Student Success, Dr. Amber Williams recently joined the ASCEND Podcast as a special guest to share her knowledge, wisdom, and insights on how campuses can increase their retention and student success efforts! The podcast, co-hosted by Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby, focuses on why student retention and completion are so important, and why previous retention efforts have not always worked.
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The University of Tennessee and Dr. Amber Williams, Vice Provost for Student Success, are proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Melissa Irvin as the new Associate Vice Provost (AVP) for the Division of Student Success (DSS). 
As AVP, Dr. Irvin will provide executive leadership to the Academic Success Center, Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration, campus-wide Advising Initiatives, and Vol Success Teams, and serve as a pivotal leader in the Salesforce CRM implementation project.
With plans to make their own impact on the world, nine University of Tennessee students will take on Washington D.C. after securing internships with the United States Congress through the Congressional Internship Program (CIP). The summer program runs anywhere from six to 10 weeks during which the students work closely with legislative staff on a variety of projects.
In 2020, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Division of Student Success (DSS), led by Vice Provost Amber Williams, unveiled its groundbreaking Vol Success Teams program. This innovative initiative has revolutionized the support and guidance offered to first-year and transfer scholars embarking on their educational journey at UT.
The Division of Student Success is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Francis Canedo as the new Director of University Honors at the University of Tennessee, commencing July 28.
With an impressive career trajectory, Dr. Canedo brings a wealth of experience and a strong academic background to this prestigious role. She joins University Honors from her previous positions as an Instructional Dean, Dean of Humanities, and tenured Foreign Language Department Chair.
Cody Russell
Meet Cody Russell, a former U.S. Army veteran turned student, whose journey epitomizes the incredible potential and exciting opportunities that are offered for those at UT transitioning from service member to scholar.