When Scotty Brown stepped onto the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus, he imagined a future in public service. Just a few years later, the sophomore finance major from Signal Mountain, Tennessee, is charting a different—but equally ambitious—course: a coveted investment banking internship with J.P. Morgan in New York City, one of the first UT students in six years to do so.  

The nine-week internship program supports full-time analysts, associates, and senior bankers across live deals, client pitches, and other internal projects. Interns gain experience conducting financial analysis and modeling, developing client-facing pitch books, industry overviews, industry & company research, and live deal execution support.  

“Scotty is a driven leader on campus,” said Dr. Amber Williams, Vice Provost for Student Success. “I’m proud of the success and community he’s found within the Haslam College of Business, University Honors and the Haslam Leadership Scholars (HALS) program. His story is a testament to the university’s success culture that ensures students thrive at UT.”  

Once Brown arrived on campus, he was able to explore his interest in public service through his involvement with the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs and earned the opportunity to intern in the office of Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee in Washington, D.C.  

Though Brown decided to follow a different career path, he incorporated a public policy analytics minor into his business studies, excited to engage in related coursework in his next two years at UT.  

Brown’s involvement in University Honors was instrumental in gaining hands-on finance experience early into his college career. As part of the HALS program, scholars are required to complete an internship with a Tennessee-based organization during the summer of their sophomore year.  

With support from the Division of Student Success and the Haslam family, Brown was able to secure an internship with Pinnacle Capital Markets, based in Nashville, Tennessee, for this upcoming summer—fulfilling that requirement and taking a major step forward in his professional development. 

When Brown began exploring internship options for summer 2025, he turned to Vice Provost Williams and the HALS network for guidance. That outreach led to a strategic connection: VP Williams engaged with the Haslam family to help identify opportunities that aligned with Brown’s career goals.  

The result was a valuable internship experience that gave Brown the kind of real-world exposure top firms look for. That experience became a springboard—positioning him as a stronger, more competitive candidate for a prestigious internship with JPMorgan in 2026. 

Brown credits the Haslam Leadership Scholars program with being the cornerstone of his growth. From one-on-one mentorship and leadership development to strategic career guidance and life-changing connections, the HALS program has given him the confidence and clarity to lead with purpose. 

“We are incredibly proud of Scotty for securing competitive internships during both his sophomore and junior years,” said Dr. Talisha Adams, director of University Honors. “It’s these meaningful experiences that set our scholars up for long-term success and distinguish our honors program from others.”  

Looking toward 2026 and beyond, Brown is excited to join J.P. Morgan and pursue a full time Investment Banking role after graduation. While he has a long way to go before graduating, Brown is grateful for University Honors, the faculty in Haslam College of Business, and the invaluable support that will continue to help him achieve his goals.  

“The HALS program brings together incredibly smart, hardworking students, but beyond that, my cohort is also just supportive beyond words and it’s given me some of my best friends,” said Brown.