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.
The Division of Student Success (DSS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is proud to welcome Meredith Malburne-Wade as its new Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowship (OURF).
An esteemed professional with an impressive track record in fostering inclusive excellence and student development, Dr. Malburne-Wade most recently served as the Director of the Office of Student Awards, Initiatives, and Research (STAIR) as well as the Office of Fellowships and Awards (OFA) at James Madison University (JMU).
The Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, recently announced Dr. Sharon Jean-Philippe as the incoming Faculty Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (OURF) within the Division of Student Success.
Dr. Sharon Jean-Philippe
In her new role, Dr. Jean-Philippe will work with the OURF Director and OURF staff to foster a campus culture where undergraduate research is a deeply engaging experience that is accessible to all students.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, recently announced the inaugural class of University Honors Faculty Fellows within the Division of Student Success.
The University Honors Faculty Fellows consist of 12 faculty members from various colleges on campus with the goal and purpose of developing a core honors curriculum that places a strong emphasis on the application of innovative methodologies, such as design thinking to address complex problem solving.
When your school’s athletic mascot is a dog and your nickname is “the Volunteers,” it only makes sense to blend the two together and that’s just what a group of University of Tennessee, Knoxville students are doing.
Students from UT’s Honors & Scholars Programs and Haslam College of Business have partnered alongside Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) to become the first cohort of UT students socializing puppies as part of the dogs’ training towards becoming service animals.
“I am pleased to announce our exceptional UTK students have completed training and are now ready to embark on an exciting journey of socializing puppies for Smoky Mountain Service Dogs,” said Amber Williams, Vice Provost for Student Success. “This program embodies the spirit of volunteering and fostering collaboration across multiple colleges and departments, especially with our veterans and veterinarians, and brings me such immense joy and excitement!”
After completing 12 hours of rigorous online training and an additional eight hours of hands-on training with members of SMSD, the students will move on to working directly with the puppies. They will meet with their furry companions each Tuesday throughout the semester and will socialize the puppies by taking them through campus and into classrooms, getting the dogs used to being around people and crowds of all shapes and sizes.
By utilizing students, the dogs can help be exposed to different environments than what the normal service trainers might have in mind. “Many of our long-term volunteers are seniors; they live pretty predictable lives,” said Amy Clugg, faculty lecturer at the Haslam College of Business’ Department of Marketing and SMSD volunteer. “(The regular volunteers) are incredible in terms of raising these puppies but (the puppies) are not getting a diversity of experiences: ages, situations, environments, youthful energy, sporting events, elevators, library, classes and more!”
Founded in 2010, the Smoky Mountain Service Dogs provide mobility support dogs for other-abled military and first responder veterans. A fully accredited institution by Assistance Dogs International, SMSD has placed 60 dogs and worked with 55 U.S. veterans.
In addition to the Honors and Haslam students, SMSD will also partner with other departments throughout UT and the Division of Student Success, including the Veterans Success Center, ROTC and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
“It’s a magical realization of a small idea and a tremendous school where the volunteer experience is alive and well,” said Clugg.
ABOUT UT
The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service. The UT System manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through its UT-Battelle partnership; enrolls about 54,000 students statewide; produces about 13,000 new graduates every year; and represents more than 433,000 alumni around the world.
ABOUT SMOKY MOUNTAIN SERVICE DOGS
Smoky Mountain Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to Enhance the Physical and Psychological Quality of Life for Veterans with Disabilities by Providing Custom-Trained Mobility Assistance Service Dogs. SMSD trains mobility assistance service dogs for veterans with service-connected physical disabilities where canine assistance is appropriate like balance assistance, picking up dropped items, et cetera. SMSD’s service area is regional, serving a 350-mile radius or an approximate six-hour drive from Knoxville, Tennessee. SMSD serves the entire state of Tennessee and portions of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia regionally.
Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Division of Student Success
Patrick Garlock
865-974-8930
Following the recommendations of the Strengths Advisory Council, a multidisciplinary team of faculty and administrators that provides guidance on student success strategies, the Office of the Provost and Division of Student Success have selected Dr. Sally Hunter as the inaugural Volunteer Experience faculty director. 
Dr. Hunter, clinical associate professor in the College of Education, Health & Human Sciences, will join Dr. Krystyne Savarese, assistant vice provost and chief strategist for the Division of Student Success, and Dr. Patrick Biddix, Professor of Higher Education and associate director of the Postsecondary Education Research Center, to partner with UT faculty on development of strategic curricular interventions that bolster student well-being and success.
“So many faculty at this university are already incredibly supportive of the students in their classrooms and labs,” Dr. Hunter said. “I look forward to working with my faculty colleagues on the Volunteer Experience initiative. We seek to recognize the ongoing efforts that support student well-being and examine additional ways we can contribute to our students’ success.”
Hunter also serves as coordinator of undergraduate advising in the Department of Child & Family Studies. Her early work in the faculty director role will focus on two key initiatives.
“Dr. Hunter is a dynamic and passionate leader who brings a demonstrated commitment to supporting student success in her own practice, and I am grateful to have her in this role,” Amber Williams, vice provost for Student Success, said.
Dr. John Zomchick, provost and senior vice chancellor, noted that development of a unifying Volunteer Experience is a priority in the university’s strategic vision.
“I look forward to the creative collaboration with our faculty to help students thrive inside and outside the classroom,” Dr. Zomchick said. “Partnerships with faculty are crucial to our strategic commitment to the Volunteer Experience, and Dr. Hunter will be an excellent leader to work with faculty, connect them to each other, and realize our shared goals.”
Faculty interested in applying to serve as Volunteer Experience Faculty Fellows can learn more by exploring the informational website and find well-being-based classroom resources provided by Teaching and Learning Innovation.
Contact: Lacey Wood, laceywood@utk.edu
Kevin Reeves, director of Strategic Initiatives for the Division of Student Success, has been named one of 32 individuals to be selected for the Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute (CTLI).
The institute, a joint initiative of the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) and The Hunt Institute, selects leaders from higher education, K-12 education, government, business, and nonprofit organizations to a one-year program aimed at equipping leaders from across Tennessee with the strategies and knowledge to play a leading role in eliminating barriers to postsecondary education and completion in Tennessee. In partnership with The Hunt Institute, SCORE will provide learning opportunities for the 2022-23 CTLI participants and support cohort members in translating that learning into action.
“We have a bold vision to enhance and reimagine the student experience so that every student thrives,” said Amber Williams, vice provost for student success. “We are thrilled Dr. Reeves has been selected for the CTLI. The knowledge he gains from the institute will foster our goals becoming reality.”
Reeves joined the Division of Student Success in July 2021 having previously been the neighborhood director of Student Success at Michigan State University and with more than 15 years of professional experience, including at the University of Florida, Virginia Commonwealth, and Wayne State University.
As the director of Strategic Initiatives, Reeves provides leadership for high-priority initiatives, including Summer @ Rock Top, Rocky Top Commuters, and the Vol Success Summit.
“I am honored to be selected to this prestigious role and look forward to sharing the Volunteer vision for providing access to all student scholars across the state and country,” Reeves said.
Since 2019, SCORE has partnered with The Hunt Institute to not only engage deeply on solutions in Tennessee, but also to provide access to national perspectives, experts, and best practices for CTLI participants. Over the course of a year, cohort members will meet four times to expand their knowledge about postsecondary policy and practice, learn about best practices to improve postsecondary access and success, and build action plans to accelerate postsecondary success in their own communities. This diverse group of leaders will work to identify the barriers and equity gaps that exist in Tennessee’s postsecondary system and advocate within their own communities to drive change.
The Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURēCA), led by Undergraduate Research & Fellowships in the Division of Student Success, took place on April 25, 2022.
This year’s event was hosted in UT’s Student Union with 997 students showing 654 projects from a wide range of disciplines and methodologies. On May 2 during a closing awards ceremony, participating colleges presented a total of 91 awards for excellence in undergraduate research and creative achievement.
Senior Ashlyn Anderson is a Haslam Scholar, Torchbearer, Fulbright recipient, and UT representative at the Posters at the Capitol research event. She said, “EURēCA has offered a world of opportunity to showcase my research, connect with other passionate peers, and recognize the importance of undergraduate research. It has given me a platform upon which I have strengthened my presentation and poster creation skills, all while being scaffolded by faculty and staff.”
In addition, the 2022 Faculty Research Mentor Award Winners, sponsored by URF, were announced. This award recognizes UT faculty who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers. At least two undergraduate students must nominate them, with at least one having participated in the recent EURēCA.
Laura Russo, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and recipient of a Faculty Research Mentor award in the natural sciences, said EURēCA was a great opportunity for her students to prepare and present their research projects. “For many of them, it is their first presentation, and they are very nervous, but they learn a lot from the process and enjoy seeing the other research projects that are ongoing,” she said. “This is definitely a great way for us to share our work at UTK.”
Since 1997, EURēCA has become one of UT’s premier undergraduate research events and is an annual spring event that showcases research and creative activities across all disciplines by currently enrolled undergraduate students in collaboration with a faculty mentor. This year, student research was overseen by 233 faculty mentors, as well as postdocs and graduate students helping to mentor undergraduates in their research groups. In addition, 150 campus and industry judges participated, and division representatives worked with Undergraduate Research & Fellowships for the entire academic year to provide this opportunity for students.
“EURēCA was new to me, but I am so excited to have been a part of it,” said Jennifer Ware, an award-winner in the humanities division, senior in Judaic Studies, and first-time EURēCA participant. “EURēCA gave me, not only the opportunity to share my current research, but an important line to add to my CV. I appreciate everyone who put in countless hours to give undergraduates the opportunity to experience a research platform that will provide skills that are necessary for those of us continuing on a path that includes research.”
UT’s Programs Abroad Office at the Center for Global Engagement recently announced this year’s recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The entire article can be read here.