Samantha is a sophomore in the Chancellor’s Honors Program. She is from Crystal Lake, Illinois, and is majoring in psychology and minoring in human development and family sciences. Samantha has thoroughly enjoyed her experience in University Honors because of the application to real-world concepts in her honors courses, interactions with professors and like-minded students, and overall support that she receives as an Honors student. 

On campus, Samantha is actively involved in Undergraduate research as a Research Assistant in Dr. Tas’ Visual Perception and Cognition lab.  She is also involved in Psychology club and Best Buddies where she serves as a peer buddy for UT FUTURE students. This year Samantha will be serving as a VOLthon team captain and is responsible for team planning and fundraising efforts. She is also a part of Greek Life on campus as a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending UT football games, volunteering, going to country music concerts, and painting. After graduation, Samantha plans to attend an Accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing program, and hopes to pursue a career as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Jamison Arthur is a sophomore from Nashville, Tennessee, majoring in finance and accounting. She is part of the Chancellor’s Honors Program and the Haslam Business Fellows, enjoying the community of driven, like-minded students while being academically challenged. On campus, she is involved with groups like the Tennessee Capital Markets Society and the Masters Investment Learning Center, where she delves into finance and investment. Jamison has also taken on leadership roles, including heading recruitment for her sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and working as a Pilates instructor at a local studio. Passionate about giving back, she volunteers at Haynes Garden, helping kids with their schoolwork. After graduation, she plans to move back to Nashville to pursue a career in finance. As an Honors Ambassador, Jamison is excited to share her love for the program with prospective students who have similar aspirations.

Riley is a sophomore from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, majoring in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology and minoring in American Sign Language. She hopes to one day get her MD/PhD and practice medicine while also working on groundbreaking medical research. Riley is part of the Chancellor Honors Program.

On campus, Riley has marched two seasons with the Pride of the Southland, UT’s renowned marching band. She is also on the executive board as the Vice President of Communications for an up-and-coming pre-med fraternity, Mu Epsilon Delta. As VP of Communications, she works on running the social media platforms for the fraternity and keeping up communication with potential members and speakers. In her free time, Riley loves dancing with her friends, curling up with a book, and being out in nature.

Thanks to the wonderful Honors community at UT, Riley has found a fantastic group of friends to help support and ground her as she works towards her degree.

Emma Collins is a sophomore from Franklin, Tennessee. She is a part of the Chancellor’s Honors Program studying sociology in criminology & criminal justice and minoring in business administration. On campus, Emma spends her time outside of classes involved in many different organizations around UT. This includes, but not limited to, being a brother of the Kappa Alpha Pi Law Fraternity to advance her proficiency in professionalism, law, and government. Similarly, she is involved with the Undergraduate Association of Forensic Sciences to grow her knowledge of the field of forensics and scope of criminalistics. With this, she is also a part of the Honors Student Engagement Council as the enrichment director and treasurer, organizing and overseeing service-based, community, and outreach events for the honors program. Off campus, Emma is involved with the nationwide nonprofit organization Diversify Our Narrative and volunteers at the local animal shelter. Emma loves line dancing, advocacy, spending time with friends, animals, and experiencing new things! She has greatly enjoyed her time with University Honors and believes it is one of the most rewarding opportunities on campus.

Caroline Doyle is a sophomore in the Chancellor’s Honors Program. She is from Rockville, Maryland, and is majoring in nursing. Her time in University Honors has allowed her to grow not only as a student but as a leader and a global citizen. Outside of the classroom, she is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma where she serves as the new member event coordinator. She is also involved in many philanthropic student organizations including acting as the vice president of community outreach for the Helping Hands club and as social media chair for our school’s chapter of Period. She is also a member of the Student Nurses Association and several other clubs allowing her to pursue her passion for service. In her free time, Caroline enjoys spending time outside, photography, working at AS Revival, and attending UT sporting events! Her experience as an ambassador and an honors student has taught her many valuable life lessons about professionalism, fostering meaningful relationships, and managing her time. She hopes to use what she has learned at UT to pursue a career as a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner after graduation.

Nicole Gann is a sophomore from Harriman, TN in the Haslam Leadership Scholars program. She is majoring in public health with a minor in One Health on the pre-medical track concentrating in community health and epidemiology. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school and working in the medical field as an advocate for health care in Appalachia. In addition to her involvement in the Honors Ambassadors program, she is involved with many other organizations on campus. She is the secretary of the University of Tennessee Medical Center Ambassadors, leading tours for high schoolers interested in the medical field. Additionally, she is involved with the Appalachian Justice Research Center, where she is helping conduct research on community vibrancy and youth retention in rural Appalachian counties. Nicole is also 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 and her local library and food pantry. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, getting outdoors, and watching the Vols play! As an honors ambassador, she wishes to use her own experiences with the program to help empower other students in the pursuit of higher academia. The community this program affords is one of a kind, and she hopes to help others experience the growth and invaluable opportunities that the Honors Program gives its students!

Anna Powell is a sophomore from Montgomery, Alabama, majoring in Biology with a Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology concentration with a minor in Hispanic Studies. She plans to attend medical school and become a physician with a strong understanding of Hispanic culture and the Spanish language in order to be a better doctor to those who may not speak English as their first language. She is part of the Chancellor’s Honors Program.

On campus, Anna serves as the School Chair for Inskip Elementary on behalf of Clinic Vols, a UT club which its members volunteer at Knox County elementary schools as nurse’s assistants. Through this position, she has developed valuable skills such as teamwork and communication. She is also involved in her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. Through her sorority, she experienced many opportunities that have allowed her to thrive in her passion for service, including volunteering at organizations like Little Chefs, Big Change, and Keep Knoxville Beautiful.

In her free time, Anna loves to go on coffee runs with her sorority sisters, tailgate at UT football games, and have a relaxing day at the Quarry.

She is excited to be an ambassador for University Honors because she is able to give back to an organization that has provided her with so many unique opportunities!

Rachel Sokalsky is a junior in the 1794 Honors Program. She is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is majoring in audiology and speech pathology with a minor in child and family studies. During Rachel’s first year at the university she was looking for a way to challenge herself and grow both as a student and a person and by joining the honors program as a sophomore she believes it was the perfect way to do this. She is so grateful for her time and the opportunities she has been presented with since joining University Honors.

On campus, Rachel is actively a co-recruitment chair for All Campus Events, the graphic design chair for the National Student Speech Language Association, and a general member of Alpha Delta Pi. She also is involved with Psi Society, Order of Omega, and recently served as a recruitment counselor for Panhellenic primary recruitment. This year Rachel has begun assisting Dr. Kristen Secora with research in the speech language pathology field and began to help take over the SLP Research Lab social media. In her free time she serves as a student volunteer at the TEACH group assisting with tasks around the clinic and observing pediatric SLPs. She also enjoys spending time with friends, watching the Vols in Neyland, and traveling with her family. After graduation, Rachel plans to attend a two year graduate program for speech language pathology and hopes to one day work in a medical setting in pediatrics after graduate school.

Kelly is a senior in the Haslam Leadership Scholars Program. She is from Knoxville, TN and is double majoring in Economics and Global Studies. Honors has provided a plethora of opportunities and assistance throughout her three years at UTK.

On campus, Kelly is an Executive Board member of the Economics Club, is part of the Baker Scholars Program and Asian American Intervarsity, and does environmental economics research with Dr. Charles Sims at the Baker School. Outside of school, Kelly loves to volunteer with Girls on the Run Knoxville, For the Love of Reading, and occasional environmental cleanup and gardening events. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, making new foods, and taking pictures.

Tess is a sophomore from Charlotte, NC majoring in marketing with aspirations to go into higher education or work for a major nonprofit. She is a part of the 1794 Scholars Program, as well as Haslam College of Business’ Business Fellows Honor Program.

On campus, Tess is involved in The Student Government Association, having been programming chair of the First Year Council her freshman year, and is now the advisor of the program. In this role she helps to introduce first-years to UT with a leadership development-focused program by engaging them with different aspects of SGA and its role in the broader UT community. Additionally, Tess is involved in the Haslam College of Business, being a member of the Marketing & Sales Collaborative Program, and the American Marketing Association. In her free time, Tess enjoys dancing, participating in intramural sports, and volunteering with UT’s Basic Needs.

Through University Honors and living in Dogwood (Honors LLC) her freshman year especially, Tess has found a community on Rocky Top full of supportive, like-minded peers that are her now best friends!