Meet the Haslam Leadership Scholars

Seniors - Fourth Years

	Moorea Artaza Moorea Artaza is a Haslam Leadership Scholar and Nursing student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Throughout her time at the university, Moorea has been involved in the Student Government Association humbly serving as the Programming Chair and she is looking forward to serving her Volunteer community as the Nursing Senator and Deputy Chief of staff. In addition to Student Government, Moorea works at Cruze Farms on Gay Street and exhibits their Motto of “Work Hard, Love Harder” through the joy of serving her customers. When Moorea is not in the classroom, she enjoys baking, going on long hikes, reading, spending time with her family and friends, and going to her small group at the Walk. Moorea has a passion and love for learning and is eager to help others.
	Alice Grace Beavers Alice Grace Beavers is a senior from Athens, Tennessee, studying Food Science in the Herbert College of Agriculture with a minor in Public Policy Analytics and a concentration in Global Security. A Peyton Manning Scholar and Herbert College of Agriculture Ambassador, she conducts research with both the Department of Food Science and the UT Medical Center’s Department of Surgical Oncology, focusing on food protein functionality, healthcare operations, and cancer outcomes in Appalachia. Alice Grace is the Founder and President of the UT Medical Center Ambassadors and serves as a Main Campus Ambassador. She is also involved in Student Alumni Associates, the National Institute of Food Technologists, and Alpha Gamma Delta, where she has led philanthropic efforts that have raised more than $20,000 to combat hunger in East Tennessee. Her professional experience includes serving as a Food and Beverage Innovation Intern with Pilot Company, a United States Senate Intern for Senator Bill Hagerty, and a Cardiovascular Nursing Technician at UT Medical Center. She has presented her research findings to Tennessee leaders and members of Congress, advocating for agriculture and intentional policy cultivation for farmers. Alice Grace gives back to her community through Meals on Wheels Knoxville and through her volunteer work at UT Medical Center. She enjoys hiking, attending live music events, supporting her family’s farm, and writing gospel shape-note music for publication.
	Keegan Collins Keegan Collins is a Haslam Leadership Scholar and Smith Global Leadership Scholar pursuing an Accounting and Finance dual degree with a concentration in International Business. He is from Dublin, Ohio. Keegan has held four diverse internships, including a six-week position in London, England as a part of a semester-long study abroad program. He currently serves as Vice President of the UTK Business Honors Council and Student Leader at the UTK Christian Student Fellowship. This past summer, Keegan completed an Audit Internship for Ernst & Young out of the Memphis office, where he plans to return full-time following graduation this Spring. He is currently pursuing the remaining education requirements for his CPA licensure and studying for all required exams.
	Caleb DeLong Caleb is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Music Performance with a concentration in Brass. In the fall, he is a member of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, along with Student Alumni Associates. He is active in the UT Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Honors Horn Octet, always looking for more opportunities to learn and perform. He gained experience teaching some area high school bands, and looks forward to teaching more in the future. As a performance major, he is always seeking out new, different environments to perform in, including brass ensembles, woodwind ensembles, and even pit orchestras for musicals. Research is always on the mind as well, with many topics spreading from the impact of a quality music education to the effect of chamber music on the brain.
	Addie Heehs During her time at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Addie has been studying Finance with a collateral in International Business as a Smith Global Leadership Scholar and plans to minor in Public Policy Analytics. She has found various ways to get involved on campus. One of the most impactful organizations has been the Student Alumni Associates, which aims to serve current students and alumni by facilitating events that bolster connection and involvement with UT. In addition to this, she is an Ambassador for the Haslam College of Business, member of the Tennessee Capital Markets Society, and involved in Student Government Association.
	Frank Moser Frank Moser is a senior at UT and is majoring in Industrial Engineering. He is part of the Haslam Leadership Scholars Program, Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program, as well as the Cook Grand Challenge Engineering Honors Program. He is involved in undergraduate research and recently completed an independent study about microplastics in fish. Frank is also on the Undergraduate Student Senate, representing the Tickle College of Engineering. He hopes to pursue a career as an industrial engineer, likely in the field of transportation or infrastructure.
	Lisa Patel Lisa is majoring in biomedical engineering. She currently serves as the Student Trustee on the UT System Board of Trustees. On campus, she is involved in the Student Alumni Associates (SAA), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). Lisa recently completed a co-op at Siemens Healthineers as a systems engineering co-op, where she worked on the design and testing of medical devices, helping advance molecular imaging technology. In her free time, she loves jamming with friends, singing, and playing various instruments. Lisa loves UT and can always be found in her favorite study spot on campus, the Zeanah Engineering Complex.
	Gabrielle “Gabby” Pence Gabby is a Haslam Leadership Scholar and Leadership Knoxville Scholar majoring in Biology with a concentration in Global Health and minoring in Philosophy. On campus, she has conducted undergraduate research on excitotoxicity associated with neurodegenerative disease, complementing her role as Lead Clinical Assistant at Genesis Neuroscience Clinic. She also volunteers with Remote Area Medical’s telehealth clinics and serves as a worship leader for her campus ministry, Christian Student Fellowship. In her free time, Gabby enjoys creative hobbies such as singing, painting, and playing piano and guitar. She is currently applying to medical school and hopes to pursue a career as a primary care physician.
	Tyler Porter Tyler is a Business Analytics Major with a concentration in International Business from Bowling Green, KY. He is a Smith Global Leadership Scholar and is involved within the Haslam College of Business, including the Haslam Student Advisory Board and Project Inspire, a podcast hosted by UT students that interviews successful alumni and friends of the university. Around campus, he is a member of the Student Alumni Associates and Student Government Association. He also works at the SEC Network here on Rocky Top to broadcast many different sporting events across ESPN’s networks.
	Elijah Smith Elijah Smith is a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is currently in the university exploratory major track but will be transferring into the Tickle College of Engineering within the next year. He plans on majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a Pre-Health minor. His current academic goals are to reach a place where he can decide between attending Med School or pursuing strictly Engineering. His goal either way is to do something in the health field. His time here at UT has been filled with both fun and challenging experiences. He has had the privilege to attend the Student Alumni Associates, Campus Outreach UTK, and intramural and club sports. However, his favorite experiences have been attending the many sporting events here on campus.
	Dylan Stewart Dylan is a Physics major at UT. He can frequently be found working in the Space Bar in the Nielsen Physics Building or collaborating in the lab he works in at SERF. One of his recent projects involved developing small and discrete temperature and humidity sensors to monitor the labs and offices in Nielsen. In his free time, Dylan can be found playing piano at the Natalie Haslam Music Center or finding his inner peace with the Meditation and Mindfulness Club here at UT.
	Kelly Su Kelly is from Knoxville, TN and is double majoring in Economics and Global Studies with a concentration in Global Politics and the Economy. She is particularly interested in using economics to create policy changes in environmental and healthcare industries. Around campus, she is involved in research with the Baker Scholars Program and is an Executive Board member of the Economics Club. In her free time, she loves to volunteer with local elementary schools, go on a run, or read a good book.
	Satchel Vaughn Satchel is from Nolensville, TN, majoring in Supply Chain Management with a concentration in International Business and a minor in Hispanic Studies. She is actively involved in the Haslam College of Business as a member of the Smith Global Leadership Scholars Program, Haslam Student Advisory Council, the SCM Scholars of Distinction Program, and as the Director of Industry Certifications for the Tennessee Association of Supply Chain. In addition, she works as a Lead Peer Communications Consultant and Peer Mentor, supporting students in their academic and professional growth. Satchel is passionate about logistics, cross-cultural business, and language learning, and is eager to continue developing these skills to make a lasting impact.
	Jahneulie Weste Jahneulie Weste is a senior majoring in computer science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her on-campus leadership involvements have included Hack4Impact and the Caribbean Student Association. She has participated in multiple internships across different industries, such as consulting, software development, and systems engineering. Jahneulie serves on the governing Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee and on the inaugural National Youth Council for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Additionally, she is a member of the second cohort of the Knoxville Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Council. Jahneulie is interested in positions related to robotics, embedded systems, software development, business operations, and any fields where those intersect.

Juniors - Third Years

	Eliza Abston Eliza Abston is from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She is studying management and marketing with a collateral in international business. On campus, Eliza serves as a Programs Abroad Global Ambassador, the president of Entrepreneurs Club, and the vice president of Management Society. She is also a student leader in Sigma Phi Lambda and Christian Student Fellowship. Eliza has taken advantage of study abroad programs at UT, including Ireland, Rwanda, and Costa Rica. When she’s not on campus, Eliza is working on entrepreneurial or creative projects. Upon graduation, she plans to work in brand strategy for a global company.
	Emily Adams Emily Adams is a current Haslam Leadership Scholar from Knoxville, Tennessee. She is majoring in Public Affairs with a concentration in Environmental Policy and a minor in Hispanic Studies. During her time at the University of Tennessee, Emily has competed on the university’s nationally-ranked mock trial team, served on committees for the Student Government Association, and is a member of Kappa Alpha Pi, the university’s pre-law professional fraternity. She is also a Leadership Knoxville Scholar, a program dedicated to making an impact in the greater Knoxville area through community outreach and service. She aims to apply her experiences at the university to a future career in the legal field that combines her passion for service and advocacy. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, and hiking.
	Joshua Adedokun Joshua has always had a deep fascination for the various ways people think & feel and strongly believes in the importance of caring for one’s mental health, leading him to study Psychology and Neuroscience. He is pursuing a career in emerging fields of alternative therapy to empower his future clients and address their past traumas & mental health struggles. With music being another one of his passions, he is a member of the UT Symphonic Band. During his free time, Joshua enjoys journaling, playing the guitar/ukulele & singing, watching films, meditation, weightlifting, and stretching.
	Coleman Bain Coleman Bain is a mechanical engineering major at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he is a member of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program (IBEP) and Student Alumni Associates (SAA). As part of IBEP, he collaborates with a select cohort of 30 business and engineering majors to develop skills to optimize industrial processes and learn to communicate cross-functionally. In SAA, he works with other members to host on-campus events connecting past, present, and future students at UT. Coleman also assists in research on hypersonic carbon composites as a part of the IACMI Composites Institute. Beyond academics, he enjoys playing tennis, basketball, and the violin, as well as snowboarding. Looking ahead, he aspires to apply his engineering and business studies in the automobile industry.
	Sam Barbour Sam plans to major in mechanical engineering and pursue a career in automotive technology. He discovered his interest in automotive engineering when conducting a vehicle maintenance study in his AP Capstone course. He enjoys the game of golf and has participated in The First Tee, a non-profit volunteer organization for over 10 years. Through this organization, he has helped young golfers learn important life skills on and off the golf course. He is organizing a collaboration of his high school’s Beta Club, The First Tee, and Kingsport’s local YMCA to provide this opportunity to elementary school students. Alongside his four varsity seasons in high school golf, he has also completed four years of varsity tennis. He is active in his high school’s National Honors Society, Beta Club, and STEM tutoring club. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, automotive racing, and spending time with his friends.
	Scotty Brown Scotty Brown is a finance major in the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, originally from Signal Mountain, Tennessee. As president of the Tennessee Capital Markets Society (TCMS), the university’s premier investment banking and high finance club, he leads programs and teaches classes for selective cohorts of younger students, mentoring them as they prepare to recruit for competitive roles in finance. Scotty also serves as a student portfolio manager for the Haslam Torch Fund, a $2.6 million student-managed investment fund, where he contributes to equity research, financial analysis, and high-stakes decision making. Additionally, he is the Assistant Student Director and a Bloomberg Analyst in the Masters Investment Learning Center. Beyond these roles, Scotty competes as a member of the university’s Microsoft Excel eSports team, having qualified for the world championships. He also contributes to the Business Honors Council, serves as an officer in the UT Investment Group, and is a member of the Business Fellows Honors Program. Scotty has further broadened his education through global experiences, including study abroad in Rwanda, Kenya, and Cuba. His professional experience includes internships on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty, as an Investment Banking Summer Analyst with Pinnacle Financial Partners in Charlotte, and he will join J.P. Morgan in New York as an Investment Banking Summer Analyst in summer 2026. Looking ahead, Scotty aspires to continue his career in investment banking.
	Emma Collard Emma Collard is a junior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Geography with a concentration in Climate and Climate Change and minoring in Meteorology. Passionate about weather from the age of 7, she hopes to pursue a fulfilling career as an operational meteorologist. During her freshman year, Emma started the weather segment for UT’s student-run news station, VolNews, where she currently serves as the Chief Weather Specialist. She is also an active member of the Student Alumni Associates. Off campus, she works as an emergency management meteorology intern at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In addition to her academic and professional commitments, she works as a percussion instructor for two high school marching bands. In her free time, you can find her playing piano, attending one of UT’s campus ministries, or taking a trip to Foothills Parkway with her friends.
	Kate Faulkner Kate Faulkner is a junior majoring in English with concentrations in Rhetoric & Writing and Literature, also minoring in Entrepreneurship. Kate’s most rewarding experience on campus has been serving current University of Tennessee, Knoxville students and alumni as a member of SAA, where she serves as Events co-chair. She is also an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi. Kate earned her Property and Casualty Insurance License and works as a producer at a local insurance agency. In her spare time, she loves reading, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.
	Ava Foley Ava Foley, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, is a Junior Haslam Leadership Scholar studying Political Science and Public Affairs. Throughout her time at the University of Tennessee, she has become involved in a variety of campus organizations focused on governance, law, and advocacy. Some of the organizations she has been involved in include Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, Student Government Association, Mock Trial, Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity, and the Baker School Student Association. In addition to her on campus involvement, she has also pursued several government internships. She spent the spring semester of her freshman year interning with the City of Knoxville’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development and spent the following year with the department as a part time employee. Additionally, she spent the summer after her freshman year interning for Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia in Washington, D.C. Most recently, she spent the summer after her sophomore year interning for the State of Tennessee’s Department of Disability and Aging. Inspired by her childhood in New York, she is extremely passionate about social justice and equality, and hopes to use her education to become a compassionate leader who betters the lives of many in her community and across the world. Throughout her time at the University of Tennessee, she hopes to continue to engage in student organizations and professional experiences that expand her understanding of how she can make an impact through the political and legal fields.
	Ellie Housley Ellie Housley is a third-year Haslam Leadership Scholar majoring in Marketing with a minor in Retail and Merchandising Management. A highlight of her time at UT has been helping to reestablish the university’s chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta, where she serves as Director of Community Engagement. She also enjoys giving back to the UT community through her involvement in Student Alumni Associates and as a Haslam Ambassador, where she leads tours of the Haslam College of Business for prospective students and families. In addition to her campus leadership, Ellie works part-time at the UT Creamery, where she supports marketing efforts, customer service, and food service operations. She is passionate about global learning and has studied abroad through the First-Year Experience in Costa Rica, the Haslam Leadership Scholars’ program in Rwanda and Kenya, and a full semester in London as part of the Smith Global Leadership Scholars program, the premier honors program of the Haslam College of Business. Outside of academics, Ellie enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and cats.
	Andrew Reynolds-Bailey Andrew Reynolds-Bailey is a scholar within the Tickle College of engineering with a major in Aerospace Engineering and a concentration in Aerospace Honors. He is currently pursuing minors in Mechanical Engineering, Heath Integrated Business and Engineering, and Haslam Leadership Scholars. Andrew is a part of both the Cook Grand Challenge Honors and NAE Grand Challenge Scholars programs within Tickle. He is also participating in the Emerging Leaders Program through the Jones Center for Leadership and Service. Andrew is currently an undergraduate research assistant for the University’s Fluids and Structures (FaST) Laboratory on campus where he studies drop levitation using coaxial circular jets. As a Haslam Leadership Scholar, Andrew has utilized his leadership development to pursue many on-campus opportunities to make change in the lives of others. As a member of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program, he has developed his leadership and collaboration in cross-functional environments to make a real difference in local businesses through engineering projects while learning career applicable skills such as entrepreneurship, Lean processing, and others. He enjoys spending time volunteering for various organizations on campus with over 100 hours of community service recorded, mostly through Habitat for Humanity Knoxville and The UT Office of Sustainability. In his free time, Andrew likes to explore the natural beauty of the area, trekking Tennessee’s many mountains and natural waterways. After he graduates, Andrew hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering before seeking a career in sustainable flight and alternative fuels for air and space systems.
	Samuel Strong Samuel Strong of Collierville, TN, is a junior pursuing a political science degree with minors in Business Administration and American Sign Language (ASL). During his time at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Samuel has served as a senator in the Student Government Association (SGA), an Ambassador for the Undergraduate Admissions office, a member of the Student Alumni Association (SAA), and a representative of the Interfraternity Council Judicial Board. Additionally, Samuel has become immensely involved in the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi, where he has served as Assistant External Vice President, Social Media Coordinator, and Recruitment Team Member. Outside of his academic and campus involvements, Samuel enjoys hiking in the Smoky Mountains, practicing his photography, playing recreational sports, and serving at Thrive, a local non-profit, Christian ministry.
	Ariel Thompson Ariel Thompson is pursuing a degree in Information Science & Data Science. Through a career in machine learning engineering and data science to help diversify the STEM industry for black and brown technology leaders. She serves as Treasurer of the National Society of Black Engineers UTK Chapter, is a Management Leadership for Tomorrow Career Prep Fellow, and represents her college as a Land Ambassador for the College of Communication and Information. Professionally, she has worked as a Merchandising Analyst Intern at AutoZone, where she applied forecasting models and built global systems for employee collaboration, and as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the UT Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, where she developed AI-driven frameworks to automate scientific research. Across her experiences, she has focused on bridging data science with practical applications to solve problems and optimize processes.
	Jack Umsted Jack Umsted is pursuing a double major in Supply Chain Management and International Business with a minor in Spanish at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has interned with Fortune 500 companies including Procter & Gamble and International Paper, where he identified multimillion-dollar savings. His global perspective has been shaped through study abroad in Rwanda, Kenya, and across 17 European and African countries. On campus, Jack serves on the executive board of the Tennessee Association of Supply Chain—the Haslam College of Business’s second-largest student organization—and on the Business Honors Council, where he helps create programming for honors students across the college.
	Ellie Walker Ellie is a junior majoring in finance. She is actively involved in her community through her work as a youth soccer coach with Emerald Youth, an organization dedicated to empowering young people in Knoxville through faith, education, and sport. On campus, Ellie is a member of Chi Omega and participates in Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), where she continues to grow in her leadership and service. Professionally, Ellie is exploring the wide range of opportunities within finance. While she is still discerning the exact path she wants to pursue, she is particularly interested in a career that integrates her financial skills with her passion for giving back to the community. Outside of academics and professional interests, Ellie loves staying active, whether that’s working out, playing sports, or coaching. She also enjoys spending time outdoors and being with her friends.

Sophomores - Second Years

	Noah Anderson Noah Anderson is from Memphis, Tennessee. He is studying Food Science with plans to do a Five-Year MS program. His passion for food science comes from his love of cooking and gardening, and he is excited to keep learning how science and innovation can make food systems more sustainable. Noah is involved in undergraduate research through the Chen Food Engineering Lab. He also studied abroad in Cambodia and Vietnam with the Haslam Leadership Scholars, gaining a global perspective on agriculture, food systems, and leadership. Noah volunteers at UT’s Grow Lab to support food security through sustainable agriculture. On campus, he has served as a peer counselor to mentor high school students, and outside of academics he enjoys reading, music, video games, and spending time in nature.
	Winter Biel Winter Biel, of Brentwood, TN, is studying finance in the Haslam College of Business. She hopes to pursue a career in investment banking and is deeply involved in finance-related organizations. She serves as the Director of Membership for Tennessee Capital Markets Society, the university’s most selective finance club and premier investment banking club. She is currently competing in the Fall Balyasny Asset Management stock pitch competition alongside 30 collegiate investment clubs across North America. On campus, Winter works in the Masters Investment Learning Center as a Bloomberg Ambassador, offering Bloomberg training to 200+ students each semester. She also serves as an officer for UT Investment Group, Women in Finance, and Financial Management Association. She is an active member in Kappa Delta and Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. This past summer, Winter had the privilege to further her education through global experiences, studying abroad in Vietnam and Cambodia. Her professional career includes a summer internship at Praxess as a private equity advisory intern, assisting the deal team in identifying potential investors for active mandates to inform capital-raising strategy. In her free time, Winter teaches piano lessons to elementary aged students and volunteers weekly with For the Love of Reading, visiting underprivileged elementary schools to share the joy of books with children who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
	Ryan Chatman Ryan Chatman, of Murfreesboro, TN, plans to major in Architecture and hopes to pursue the profession along with interior design. He knew about his passion for home and structure-related subjects from a young age, as he was often found building something new with LEGO whenever he had the chance. Ryan takes on many extracurricular activities, primarily through being president of his DECA school chapter, and setting a record as the first DECA member from Central Magnet to reach top 10 internationally within his competition. He enjoys sharing insight and creating knowledge within others, as he does so through being a mentor for new freshmen, and leading younger academics in multiple STEM fairs. He is also an active member of several clubs, such as Science National Honors Society, Cultural Awareness Club, National Honors Society, and more. Outside of his career interests, Ryan enjoys expanding his knowledge on the French language, reading, and creating self-representative art.
	Mallori France Mallori France, of Kingsport, TN, plans to major in Mechanical Engineering, with interests in medical device design and therapeutics. Proudly hailing from the Appalachian Mountains, she is dedicated to creating positive change while preserving the region’s unique culture. She hopes to research alternative approaches to pain management in order to address the detrimental impact of opioid use on local communities. Mallori excelled in her high school marching band, earning two National Championship titles and gaining leadership experience with roles of section leader and equipment manager. She is active in various clubs and organizations, notably learning the value of servant leadership in her role as Ambassador for Little Free Libraries through United Way Kingsport. She is a tutor and mentor of younger students and is driven to increase the footprint of women in STEM. Mallori represented Tennessee as a U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate and is a National Merit Commended Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction. In her spare time, she enjoys weight training and holds four Tennessee state powerlifting records.
	Nicole Gann Nicole Gann, of Harriman, Tennessee, is pursuing a degree in Public Health with a minor in One Health. With a passion for leadership, service, and rural health, she is involved with many organizations throughout UTK and the eastern Tennessee community. She is currently involved as a secretary in the University of Tennessee Medical Center Ambassadors, where she leads tour groups for high school students interested in the medical field. Additionally, she is currently working with the Appalachian Justice Research Center conducting research on youth retention in rural Appalachian counties. She is also serving as an Honors Ambassador with the University Honors Program. Furthermore, Nicole is involved with the Appalachian Studies Club, the Public Health Student Association, and Volunteers for Christ. Outside of school, Nicole is an avid volunteer, serving at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, aiding in departmental function, assisting patients, and shadowing medical procedures, as well as continuing her involvement with her local library and food pantry. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in the medical field advocating for health care and community advancement in rural communities, particularly in the Appalachian region.
	Owen Graves Owen Graves, of Brentwood, TN, is currently majoring in business management at the Haslam College of Business, where he is also a member of the Management Society. Owen is an Eagle Scout who continues his dedication to scouting as an adult leader in his local Boy Scout troop. He is a member of Brentwood United Methodist Church, where he has served on the Church Council, and as a choir leader and percussionist. In high school, Owen received varsity letters in both wrestling and track, was a member of the student government, and has received recognition for his art. In his free time, you can find Owen at the basketball courts, throwing with the UTK Cornhole Club, and hiking with his friends, all while cheering on the Volunteers!
	Callie Hudson Callie Hudson, of Versailles, Kentucky, is pursuing a dual degree in Food & Agricultural Business and Agricultural Leadership. She is actively involved in the University of Tennessee community as a Herbert College of Agriculture Ambassador, where she represents the college of agriculture, engaging with prospective students and families through leading campus tours and specialty events. Callie also serves as a member of the Student Alumni Association and is involved in several agriculture-related organizations, including the Food & Agricultural Business Club and Collegiate 4-H, FFA, & Farm Bureau. Beyond her campus leadership, Callie is a Farm Credit Mid-America Leadership Scholar, a program designed to strengthen the leadership qualities of future leaders of the agricultural industry. She recently interned with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, where she gained firsthand experience with the Kentucky Proud initiative and developed a deeper understanding of how local businesses and farmers collaborate to strengthen both rural economies and agricultural communities. Passionate about faith, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, Callie hopes to pursue a career in agricultural business consulting while continuing to explore the many opportunities UT has to offer.
	Kohen Kilburn Kohen is a Mechanical Engineering major from Chattanooga, Tennessee. He hopes to pursue higher education in business and combine his entrepreneurial interests with his passion for engineering. On campus, he is involved with the Tickle College of Engineering as a Tickle College Ambassador, giving tours to prospective students and representing the college at various events. He also participates in undergraduate research with professors in the Mechanical and Applied Engineering departments, focusing on force sensors and machine learning applications for everyday chairs and car seats. Kohen serves as Vice President of the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Club, where he manages administrative responsibilities, strengthens team and alumni outreach, and coordinates tournaments and finances. He also engages in public service through the Jones Center for Leadership, having attended a VOLBreaks program last fall in Charlotte. This past summer, Kohen had the privilege of studying abroad in Vietnam and Cambodia, where he broadened his perspective on how leaders operate across different cultures and environments. Outside of school, he founded a digital marketing agency, Bitzen LLC, which has completed projects for local Chattanooga businesses, including websites, SEO work, and social media management. In his free time, Kohen enjoys being outdoors, playing guitar, and spending time with friends.
	Anna LeMarbre Anna LeMarbre, of Nashville, TN, is majoring in biomedical nutrition sciences. She is passionate about fusing business, Spanish, and medicine to bridge healthcare gaps within underserved populations. Through Remote Area Medical, Anna has taken the opportunity to assist Spanish and low income Knoxville residents with access to medical resources. She also regularly volunteers through Tennessee’s Clinic Vols club to support nursing staff at a local elementary school. When she is home in Nashville, she enjoys shadowing doctors and midlevel providers to better understand the healthcare profession. To get to know students with similar career aspirations, Anna is part of the Pre-Physicians’ Assistant club. To deepen her connection to the university and its network of alumni, staff, and students, Anna also serves as a Student Alumni Associate. To foster community with peers and friends, Anna is also involved in Reformed University Fellowship and Chi Omega fraternity. She also loves being part of Healthy Celebrations run club throughout the year.
	Gabriella Maitra Gabriella Maitra is a sophomore Haslam Leadership Scholar pursuing a dual degree in Economics and Public Affairs, with a minor in American Civics. She competes as a coxswain on the varsity rowing team, having posted first-place finishes at Stanford dual and Rocky Top Invite, contributing to an overall 5th place national team finish. She remains engaged in the global rowing community through research and writing for Junior Rowing News, the world’s largest rowing news platform. Gabriella is also a campus leader, serving as parliamentarian for the Undergraduate Student Senate within the Student Government Association At the Baker School of Public Affairs, she is a peer mentor, Tocqueville Scholar, and has held roles as an Institute of American Civics Fellow and Grand Challenges Fellow. Recently, she completed an internship at the East Tennessee Development District, where she worked on Community Development Block Grants for distressed counties in the region. Gabriella is an active member of Phi Mu and serves as the Panhellenic-Wide Philanthropy Representative.
	Oliver Nimon Oliver Nimon, of Signal Mountain, TN, intends to major in Mechanical Engineering. As his school’s Mechanics Club president, he led students in projects and car restorations. Over the last three years, he has developed a virtual-reality teaching tool enabling users to move, expand, and deconstruct complex 3-D models and study their components in a “virtual” hands-on manner. Oliver plays chess regularly (qualifying for the annual state scholastic tournament four times), volunteers as a custodian at The Little Brown Church, plays for his school’s varsity soccer team (including their 2022 State Championship team), and volunteers as a blacksmith making period-appropriate hooks for a local non-profit. He was selected for the Harris Stanford and Abshire Leadership programs, which involved meeting with government and community leaders in Chattanooga, Nashville, and DC. Oliver is a National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar with honors. In his free time, he enjoys woodturning and mountain biking.
	Weston Ragan Weston Ragan, of Franklin, TN, is a sophomore majoring in Supply Chain Management and Finance as well as minoring in Spanish, so he can pursue a career in International Business. Weston is heavily involved within the Haslam College of Business through being a Smith Global Leadership Scholar, as well as through the SCM Scholars of Distinction program. On campus, Weston is heavily involved, serving as the Scholarship Chair of the Beta Sigma chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and is a member of the Student Alumni Associates (SAA) organization. Weston is looking forward to future opportunities to study and intern abroad to further develop his language skills and find ways to combat the inefficiencies in international supply chains. Outside of academic and extracurricular activities, Weston is a passionate fan of all Tennessee Athletics and enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his free time.
	Ainsley Russell Ainsley Russell, of Murfreesboro, TN, is pursuing a double major in Public Affairs and Economics. She is passionate about civic engagement, public service, and the intersection between economics and policy in shaping communities. On campus, she is involved in the UT Mock Trial team and Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, developing public speaking, research, and communication skills. Aiming to empower youth in politics, Ainsley interns with the YMCA Center for Civic Engagement, planning mock government conferences for high schoolers and fostering their love for leadership. Beyond campus, she has volunteered as a 4-H STEM educator, teaching elementary schoolers important stem concepts. Following graduation, Ainsley plans to either attend law school or begin her career in public policy.
	Cade Simmons Cade Simmons of Spencer, Tennessee is currently pursuing a dual degree with majors in Public Affairs and Agricultural Business. Cade is interested and involved in agricultural and educational policy and is pursuing a career in agricultural policy or lobbying in Tennessee. At UTK, Cade serves as the Head Lobbyist of the Undergraduate Student Senate, facilitating conversations between staff and students on how to implement student legislation. He is also part of the Student Alumni Association, Civic Engagement Roundtable (where he serves as Education Committee Chair), Tennessee Intercollegiate Student Legislature (Lobbyist for UTK), and works in the Tennessee 4-H State Office. Cade also serves in multiple off-campus capacities within Tennessee 4-H, as he serves as the Student Advisor for the Tennessee 4-H State Council and is a board member on the Tennessee 4-H Board of Directors, where he is a part of the Legislative Affairs Committee. Over the summer, he also had the opportunity to intern in Washington D.C. with Representative John Rose. Cade hopes to continue to build upon the experiences he has been graced by God to be a part of, and is endlessly thankful for UTK and the HALS program.
	Emi Taylor Emi Taylor, of Thompson’s Station, TN, plans to major in Computer Science and minor in American Sign Language. She wants to pursue a career in app development with the goal of expanding the deaf and hard-of-hearing community’s ability to communicate. She aims to advance sign language translation apps in order to break down language barriers. Emi has a social media platform called JaneTutorsYou that provides free educational resources and guidance relating to topics including history and calculus. She has been awarded the National Rural and Recognition Award and the title of AP Scholar with Distinction. Emi participates in the National Honors Society and volunteers at The Well food pantry. She is passionate about female solidarity within STEM fields and the extension of opportunities to marginalized communities. In her free time, she listens to Jeff Buckely or the Sundays, codes pop quizzes, and collects anything pink.

Freshmen - First Years

	Davis Baxter Davis Baxter of Knoxville, TN, plans to pursue a degree in accounting. His leadership roles at his high school include vice president of the student government association and CEO of the entrepreneurship program. He also served as board member of his school’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter, earning both state and national recognition. Baxter served two terms as an appointed member of the Town of Farragut Education Relations Committee and graduated from Youth Leadership Knoxville in 2024. As an Eagle Scout, he led a project benefiting St. Mark United Methodist Church, where he is a member and active in the youth group. A fifth-generation farmer on his family’s farm, Baxter has developed an appreciation for and connection to agriculture, conservation and his family.
	Keaton Cook Keaton Cook of Clinton, TN, intends to double major in finance and accounting, influenced by his experiences with his family’s small photography business. He was a founding member of Clinton’s Historic Downtown Youth Board and helped raise over $12,500 to revitalize the city’s downtown district. Cook re-founded his school’s DECA chapter and has competed at both the state and international levels. He attended Tennessee American Legion’s Boys State and was a member of Anderson County Youth Leadership, where he represented his student body for the 2024-25 school year. Cook served his school as both National Honor Society and student government president and has received the AP Scholar Award from the College Board. In his free time, Cook enjoys playing tennis and golf and running.
	Caroline Garrell Caroline Garrell of Petersburg, TN, plans to study natural resources and environmental economics. She was named an AP Scholar with Distinction by the College Board and graduated with honors from her high school — also receiving its Citizenship Award. Garrell was the state’s 4-H leadership project winner, having coordinated a weeklong event for three years with UT’s Panhellenic Council and Knoxville Habitat for Humanity to raise $37,000 for their Women Build program. She has conducted a ceremony honoring service members who are prisoners of war or missing in action, helped an elementary school send 600 Christmas cards to troops serving overseas, and led other service projects as president of the 4-H Honor Club and a member of the 4-H All Star Regional Council. Garrell represents the sixth generation to live on her family’s farm and was a state 4-H winner in veterinary science, beef, citizenship and public speaking. She serves on the board of the American Black Hereford Junior Association and owns and exhibits Hereford, Simmental and Black Hereford cattle on the state and national levels.
	Ava Heuston Ava Heuston of Clarksville, TN, plans to major in public affairs and pursue law school after graduating. A Girl Scout for 13 years, she earned the Bronze and Silver awards before achieving her Gold Award for developing a website promoting Korean culture through education. She attended the Korean School of Nashville, where she served as a volunteer assistant teacher for three years. As president of her school’s speech and debate and mock trial teams, she helped lead them to four consecutive district championships and multiple district titles. She also earned four state awards at Tennessee’s state mock trial competition, including Best Prosecuting Attorney and Best Defense Attorney. Heuston is a recipient of her school’s Best Citizen Award, vice president of Junior Civitan, a tutor for Mu Alpha Theta, a student council representative and the head photography editor of her school’s nationally recognized yearbook. As the top singles player for her school’s varsity tennis team, Heuston helped the team make sectionals and earned an individual spot in the regional finals in singles.
	Izzy Hollman Izzy Hollman of Gallatin, TN, plans to major in public affairs and economics with a minor in applied artificial intelligence. She aspires to become a United States senator. She served as speaker of the senate at Girls State and floor leader at Youth in Government. At the Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering, she discovered her passion for STEM advocacy, inspiring her to found a Women in STEM club and an online research journal to elevate young girls in the field. Leading her school’s Relay for Life team, she raised awareness and funds for cancer research. Hollman serves as student council president and is a National Honors Society member-at-large. In her free time, she enjoys jiu-jitsu and volunteering at a senior living facility.
	Caleb Hopper Caleb Hopper of Chattanooga, TN, plans to major in industrial engineering. His passion for the field comes after attending the Governor’s School for Sciences and Engineering. Hopper’s leadership skills stem in part from his experiences in becoming an Eagle Scout. He is president of his school’s student government association and a leader of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle. He enjoys playing soccer and is captain of multiple school and club teams, but his favorite leadership experience has been coaching a fourth- and fifth-grade basketball team with Upward Sports. Hopper hopes to be involved on campus through clubs and intramural sports teams while continuing to support and encourage his peers.
	Chrishton King Chrishton King of Memphis, TN, plans to major in public affairs and finance with hopes of attending law school. As co-captain of his school’s district championship-winning mock trial team, an officer in the government club and a staff writer for the political outreach organization Strive, he is passionate about civic engagement. King also serves as the president of the Black History Club, leading student-run presentations on the subject, and led an independent research project to determine the experience of Black alumni at his school. Beyond academics, King is involved in theater productions, student mentorship programs and mental health initiatives, helping to establish stress-relief traditions at his school. His achievements have earned him numerous honors, including the National African American Recognition Program Award, the University of Rochester’s Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award, induction into the National Honor Society, the College Board’s AP Scholar with Distinction award and the Dewitt M. Shy Mock Trial Award.
	Anushka Mathew Anushka Mathew of Collierville, TN, plans to major in finance. Her interest in business started at a young age and continued to grow through hands-on experiences in clubs like DECA and the Technology Student Association. Mathew served as the state treasurer of Tennessee TSA and was a district representative on the Shelby County Youth Council. She previously served as vice president of her school’s TSA chapter and was selected for the state membership committee. She has attended both the Governor’s School for Technological Innovation and Business Leadership and the Governor’s School for the Arts. A two-time all-state French horn player, she played in the Memphis Youth Symphony and tutors beginning horn players. Mathew is a member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, National Spanish Honor Society, Beta Club and Tri-M Music Honor Society. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and performing with her quintet.
	Luke Payne Luke Payne of Atlanta, GA, intends to major in business management with a minor in interdisciplinary entrepreneurship. His passion for bringing international ideas to American businesses was ignited when he participated in a summer student exchange program to Japan. Payne has served as president of his class for the past three years and given back to the greater Atlanta community as co-leader of his school’s Habitat for Humanity Club, helping his peers raise $120,000 to fund and build a home for a family in need. He has also served as a school tour guide, technical director for the broadcast journalism program and co-leader of the Young Life Club, and is a member of the National Honor Society and varsity football team. He is the recipient of his school’s Headmaster’s Award for his graduating class. He enjoys singing and playing guitar in a local band and participating in church activities in his free time.
	Tiago Phielipp Tiago Phielipp, born in Arizona, moved to Knoxville, TN, during his first year of high school. He plans to double major in public affairs and biology with a minor in economics to build a career in environmental law and government, inspired by the internship he completed with GE Vernova in Washington, D.C., last summer. As a first-generation American, Phielipp discovered his passion for government and policy after joining the Model United Nations at his school. At the ALTernative Model UN conference, he created the International Court of Justice, the Security Council and the Security Council Crisis, and was recognized with the ALTMUN Pioneer Award. Phielipp is president of his school’s mock trial team and vice president of both the ethics bowl team and his school’s National Honor Society chapter. He won awards with both the mock trial and ethics bowl teams and was recognized with the National Hispanic Recognition Award by the College Board. Phielipp volunteers often at Second Harvest Food Bank and cleans teachers’ classrooms. He is bilingual in Spanish and enjoys reading, baking and playing pickleball with his family in his free time.
	Ritisha Pradeep Ritisha Pradeep of Brentwood, Tennessee, intends on majoring in finance. Her passion for the field began with her DECA Finance Operations research project, which earned her international finalist recognition. She has served as president of her school’s Asian Youth and Civil Engagement club and vice president of her school’s DECA chapter and Mental Health Awareness Club. Her commitment to community service traces back to her parents’ dedication to fostering dogs, a passion she and her siblings have also embraced, and her experience with the Ravenwood Girls Cotillion, which raised over $25,000 in partnership with The Next Door, a Nashville-based substance abuse recovery center for women. In her free time, she coaches gymnastics and enjoys working out, boxing and spending time with her friends.
	Lexi Roth Lexi Roth of Knoxville, TN, plans to major in animal science and minor in business with the goal of opening her own veterinary practice. She has shadowed at local veterinary clinics and was chosen to attend a virtual VetCamp hosted by North Carolina State University to deepen her knowledge in the field. Roth pushes herself in and out of the classroom through AP courses, clubs like model United Nations and DECA, her job as a hostess, and her volunteer work at local food banks and animal shelters. She was awarded the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by the College Board and has completed over 300 hours of community service while in high school, earning the Bronze President’s Award twice. Roth is half Hungarian and fluent in the Hungarian language, which she attributes to time spent visiting family overseas. She is passionate about photography and has earned multiple awards for her work. She has worked as a camp counselor and enjoys figure skating and coaching younger skaters in her free time.
	Walker Smith Walker Smith of Hendersonville, TN, plans to major in kinesiology on the pre-medicine track with a minor in business. He aims to integrate his interests in exercise science, health care, entrepreneurship and Spanish — in which he holds national biliteracy certification — to one day establish his own medical practice. A lifelong athlete, Smith has played soccer since the age of 3, is a certified United States Soccer Federation referee, and works with his city’s parks and recreation department. At his high school, Smith served on the student council as senior class president. He is a National Merit Commended Scholar and was selected to attend the Tennessee American Legion’s Boys State, where he engaged with civic leaders from across the state and deepened his interests in public service and leadership.
	Aubrey Spencer Aubrey Spencer of Brentwood, TN, plans to major in nursing. Her passion for the field began while traveling to Jamaica and Honduras, where she volunteered at a nursing facility for those with nutritional deficiencies and a home for the elderly. Through her high school, she has worked over 240 hours with a nonprofit organization running a summer camp in Nashville. Spencer is a mentor in her school’s Heart 2 Heart program, providing accommodations for students in need of special education services, and plans to continue her study of diverse learning styles in UT’s FUTURE Postsecondary Education Program. Spencer is her senior class president and runs her school’s student social media pages. She also leads after-school dance classes and Bible studies and is captain of her school’s varsity competitive dance and cheer programs. Spencer recently received her school’s Founder’s Award, given to a senior based on exemplary academics, extracurricular engagement and citizenship. In her free time, she finds joy in taking Pilates classes, baking sweet treats and wake surfing.

The flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and partner in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.