Students at the 2024 Convocation held up a “Power C.” This year, “A Moc’s First Class” will immediately follow Convocation. Photo by Angela Foster.
The first day of college is about to get a bit easier at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“A Moc’s First Class,” scheduled immediately after Convocation on Friday, Aug. 15, is designed to help incoming students feel confident, connected and ready for their first week on campus.
A joint effort from Academic Affairs, the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and the Division of Access and Engagement, the program introduces students to campus life in a supportive, small-group setting.
Each 50-minute session pairs new students with UTC faculty and staff for an informal introduction to college logistics and expectations. It’s a chance to ask questions, meet classmates and get a better sense of what’s ahead.
“It’s something where they can interact with their small group of students—get to know each other, answer some questions about that first week of class, make sure they know how to get on Canvas, and confirm they have their schedule,” said Assistant Provost for Student Success Delight Yokley, who is helping lead the effort. “If they have questions about where to go, there’s a faculty member who can answer. And maybe they’ll get a few quick tips about how to be successful.”
Afterward, students will head to Chamberlain Field for a barbecue lunch and desserts catered by Mocs Dining—another opportunity to connect with fellow students and meet faculty and staff in a casual setting.
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The team behind “A Moc’s First Class” is looking for more faculty and staff participants to host small-group sessions, greet students at Convocation and help serve lunch. Click here to register.
“We don’t want a student to say, ‘I didn’t know how to get to my class so I missed it,’” Yokley said. “This is about helping them feel ready and supported from the start.”
