Bailee Smith didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a college professor. In fact, she didn’t even start college planning to pursue cognitive science. But as she prepares to walk across the McKenzie Arena stage on May 2 to receive her master’s degree, she is already envisioning life as Dr. Smith.
Marcelle Baez-Carlo: Serving Chattanooga on and off the court
When University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior Marcelle Baez-Carlo first stepped on campus in 2021, the most crucial question to her was: “How can I help?” Recruited from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, to play volleyball, Baez-Carlo has spent her time at UTC committed to improving her performance on the court—but also to her new community.
Ready to soar: UTC’s Class of 2025 prepares to take flight
This week, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will celebrate its 265th commencement—with three McKenzie Arena ceremonies recognizing the Class of 2025. Commencement ceremonies will recognize approximately 1,300 undergraduates and 300 graduate students earning their degrees this semester.
Fly! Pitch competition awards $10K to UTC student entrepreneurs
The 2025 Fly! Mocs Business Pitch Competition gave UTC students a chance to present startup ideas to industry judges, competing for $10,000 in prizes provided by the Spencer Patton Foundation. Rizwaan Abdulkadir’s classroom tech startup “Parleii” won first place and $5,000, with other top projects including a waterproof bag and a custom 3D duck generator.
UTC faculty recognized for exemplary work in scholarship and service
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga celebrated the achievements of its faculty at a recognition ceremony held Tuesday, April 22, in the Wolford Family Athletic Center. The event honored faculty members for their excellence in scholarship and teaching, with awards presented by the Faculty Awards Committee of the Faculty Senate.
UTC undergraduates take their research to the Capitol
Ten undergraduate students from the UTC recently traveled to Nashville to present their work at Posters at the Capitol, a statewide undergraduate research showcase held at the Tennessee State Capitol on Wednesday, April 2.
UTC chancellor finalists to participate in public forums
Finalists have been selected in the search for the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The finalists are scheduled to visit Chattanooga the week of April 28 to meet with faculty, staff, students and key community leaders. They will also participate in campus public forum sessions.
‘Chattanooga’s Forgotten’: UTC students call on City Hall for safer streets
After spending a year studying walkability in Chattanooga’s Oak Grove neighborhood, students in Dr. Chandra Ward’s class brought their findings to City Hall—asking officials to make the area’s streets safer and invest more fairly in underserved communities.
Not retiring, just ‘repurposing’: Dr. Jamie Harvey ready to jump into her next exercise
Dr. Jamie Harvey, an associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, is stepping down at the end of the semester after 35 years as a full-time faculty member—not to retire, but to “repurpose” her time and energy. “I still have more to give, just in a different way,” she said.
From stage to startup: Sarah Whitney’s residency connects creativity and career building
Violinist Sarah Whitney is not a stranger to college campuses, but during her visit to UTC, she added a new experience: coaching business students.
During her three-day residency—hosted through a partnership with Dr. Jonathan McNair, the Ruth S. Holmberg Professor of American Music at UTC—the internationally recognized performer, educator and career coach guided students through workshops, classes and performances designed to reshape their thinking about creative careers.