Students welcomed Chancellor Lori Bruce on her first day of work. Photo by Angela Foster.
Being chancellor is an intense role that comes with a packed schedule, which is something Dr. Lori Bruce is already familiar with.
In her first six weeks as chancellor, Bruce has conquered Board of Trustees meetings, multiple media appearances, a groundbreaking ceremony and plenty more. And her first month included residing in West Campus housing, getting a taste of what life is like at UTC.
A Tennessee native, she grew up on a working farm in Lincoln County—about 90 minutes west of Chattanooga. She most recently served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tennessee Tech.
It’s undeniable that Bruce stays busy, but she understands the value of connecting with students. She also knows the importance of making time for herself.
The chancellor recently sat down to discuss her role, background and advice for UTC students.
My younger brother is an incoming freshman and he’s a little bit of an introvert. What advice would you give to students like him?
“To really put yourself out there. I’m naturally very introverted and actually very shy. Only when I really put myself into situations where I’m a little uncomfortable is when I grow. Most people wouldn’t think I’m shy or introverted—it’s like a muscle. You have to work it for it to get stronger. Sometimes it can feel sore. You work it one day and then have to rest a few days. But over time, it gets stronger. So join clubs, do things. Pretty soon you won’t feel as shy or introverted.
“Also, everyone thinks everyone else has it figured out. But really, almost no one has it all together. You find that out later when you get to know people.”
How did the move to Chattanooga go? What was it like living on campus?
“Several people told me before I moved here that Chattanooga is the biggest small town you’ll ever live in. It’s a city, but it has a small-town feel. My very first trip to the grocery store, I bumped into someone I had already met on campus. That has definitely been true, and it’s very delightful. You don’t want to feel lost; you want to feel part of a community.
“Living at West Campus housing was phenomenal. I met some of the RAs and enjoyed chatting with them about what’s happening on campus and what they wanted me to know. Campus was pretty empty when I first got here, so in the evenings I got to walk around to get my steps in—and it was fun getting to learn my way around campus.
“Though we haven’t been able to explore much of the city yet, my husband and I love hiking and kayaking and all things outdoorsy, so I look forward to doing more of that soon.”
Can you share a little about how you and your husband, Dr. JW Bruce, met?
“We met as undergraduates at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in a course called Signals and Systems. Every electrical and computer engineering student knows that one. It’s a tough class. He always wore a tie to class, and I was intrigued. He sat in the back and didn’t take many notes, which amazed me because I was a very diligent note taker. Eventually, we both realized we were strong students, and he got up the nerve to ask me out. We dated, got married and leapfrogged through graduate school, taking turns with degrees and jobs until we both landed faculty roles.
“We learned early on not to carpool. It never worked with our different schedules. But we’ve always been at universities with large enough departments to work side-by-side without stepping on each other’s toes. It’s actually been really helpful that he’s a faculty member. He gives me honest feedback, especially now that I’m in administration. He keeps me grounded and tells me what things are really like from a faculty perspective.”
Dr. Lori Bruce rode a three-person bike with her husband, Dr. JW Bruce, and their son, Walker, during her time at Mississippi State University. Photo courtesy of Mississippi State University.
You and your family have a lot of hobbies. What are some of your favorite ways to spend your free time?
“I’ve never met a craft I didn’t want to try. I love craft stores, fabric stores, anything textile—sewing, embroidery, felting wool. One night I was a little irritated, and I sat there punching wool with a felting needle to make a little hedgehog. It was so therapeutic. I don’t have my supplies here yet, but I’m really looking forward to joining ‘Crafternoons’ at the UTC Library.
“My husband and I also love anything involving transportation. We’re really into biking, kayaking and even airplanes. I had a Schwinn scholarship when I was an undergraduate and was in 4-H as a kid. I have been into biking ever since. When we lived in Las Vegas, we joined a tandem bike club called Deuces Wild. We even had a three-person bike we used to ride with our son when he was little. We’d drop him off at preschool on it.
“My husband has a pilot’s license, and he and my son are building a plane together. Our son actually flew solo on his 16th birthday before he ever drove a car solo. I tend to be more into boats and bikes, but they’re really into aviation. So yes, we stay pretty active and always have some project going on.”
Dr. Lori Bruce enjoys textile arts in her free time, including sewing, embroidery and felting projects.
You were a majorette and played in the band in high school. How did those experiences shape your thoughts on getting involved as a student?
“I was a majorette and played clarinet—also a little flute and piccolo—but baton twirling was something I really loved. I started young and kept teaching private baton lessons throughout college, even though I didn’t twirl in college.
“Looking back, I wish I had done more as a student outside the classroom. What you learn in class is important, of course, but there’s so much value in getting involved. You develop leadership, communication, how to run a meeting, how to manage conflict, all from being part of student organizations.
“College is a rare time in your life when there are endless opportunities to explore new interests with relatively low risk. I held back because I was shy, and I tell students not to let that stop them. If fear is the only thing holding you back, push past it. You’ll be glad you did.”
Will students get to meet your dogs soon?
“I’m living close enough to campus that I’ll probably walk Lucy and Brodi here a lot in the mornings or evenings.
“I really want students to feel like they can come up and talk to me, and I think having Lucy and Brody with me will help with that. Everyone loves dogs. So I hope when I’m out walking them, students will feel comfortable stopping to say hi.”
Chancellor Lori Bruce walks Lucy (chihuahua) and Brodi during a UTC Mocs football practice. Photos by Angela Foster.
You’ve seen how life-changing higher education can be, not just for traditional students but for families, too. How does that shape the way you lead as chancellor?
“Both of my parents went straight into factory jobs after high school, and that was great for them at the time. But later on, they had the opportunity to pursue more. My dad’s company sent him to school to help computerize the factory; from that point on, he worked as a computer scientist. My mom and her sister went to college later in life. They quit their jobs, commuted long distances, raised families and ran a household while going to school full time.
“Watching that happen, I saw how education changed not just their lives but the direction of our entire family. It completely shifted our future. That’s why I’m so passionate about access to college and affordability. I want anyone who wants an education at UTC to be able to find a way to make that happen, no matter what their path looks like.”
Your son is also in college now. Has that changed how you view the student experience?
“It really has. Going on campus visits with him during his high school years gave me a whole new perspective. I saw things through a parent’s eyes—things like housing, dining, scholarships, even just filling out the FAFSA. Hearing about his day-to-day experiences, whether it was trying to pay a bill or talking to a professor, made me think differently about the services we provide. He’s had a great experience so far, and I’ve learned a lot just from listening to how he navigates things. It gave me an extra layer of understanding that I didn’t have before.”
What do you want students to know about research opportunities at UTC?
“I think when most people hear the word ‘research,’ they picture a chemist in a white lab coat looking through a microscope. And it can be that, but it can also be a historian studying something in their field, or an engineer working on a new system. It’s not just about the subject. It’s about expanding the body of knowledge. When you think about it, that’s pretty amazing.
“Out of all the humans throughout history, you’re contributing something new. But I don’t want that to scare anyone. It doesn’t have to be something huge. It might involve changing how a system works, or conducting a survey to gain a better understanding of something in society. Students can get involved before they graduate and be part of something meaningful.
“If you’re even a little bit interested, talk to your professors. Ask them what projects they’re working on. You might be surprised at what’s out there, and you might see their face light up when they get to share it with you.”
Sometimes it can be intimidating for students to interact with people in leadership roles, such as the chancellor. What do you want students to know about you?
“That I’m a real person. I’ve been exactly where you are. It might seem like a long time ago that I was a student, but in my mind it wasn’t that long ago. I also want students to know that every single day, I come to campus thinking about them. I’m always thinking about their success—how I can help them succeed. Whether it’s building a new residence hall so they can live on campus more easily or working with companies to create internship opportunities, everything I do is with students in mind.”
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Opportunity in every challenge: Chancellor Lori Bruce brings vision and voice to UTC
