New Programs Established to Maximize Student Success

The Division of Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is launching a variety of programs and changes this academic year to enrich the student experience and improve outcomes.

"We know our scholars benefit from personal engagement, community building, structured programing and intentional academic support," said Vice Provost for Student Success Amber Williams. "Now with our enhanced focus on access, we're opening pathways that will not only support them through their collegiate journey but will also equip them with tools and skills that can enrich their entire lives."

UT is a national leader in personalized approaches to student success. The division works to engage and maximize each student's academic experience by supporting their unique strengths.

Student Success Express, which offers the division's services to students outside of normal business hours, will begin Tuesday, Sept. 3. Walk-in appointments will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Hodges Library for students to discuss academic support-related issues with division staff. Workshops on career, writing and research opportunities will be held each Wednesday, and Williams will host office hours on the first Tuesday of each month for students to share their thoughts and strategize a path toward success.

Vol Edge - which will launch its initial phase in January 2025 for sophomores - is a university-wide career readiness initiative to help ensure that all students graduate with confidence. By providing every undergraduate with access to transformative career-building experiences, Vol Edge will help UT produce one of the most robust employment pipelines in the nation, with talented students who are more competitive in the job market, better prepared to showcase their strengths to employers and armed with practical experience to apply to life beyond college.

Programs in University Honors are restructuring to elevate students' academic excellence and life-career readiness. Starting next year, the Chancellor's Honors Program will award an academic minor in complex problem solving, while the Haslam Leadership Scholars program will introduce a leadership minor. University Honors will also hire a dedicated group of full-time faculty to develop deeper partnerships with the 80+ honors concentrations and create additional honors programs in colleges across campus, connecting the broad interdisciplinary learning that occurs in University Honors to the depth of students' majors.

The transition of students in the university exploratory track to the Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration began last year. The University Exploratory program, commissioned by Chancellor Donde Plowman and Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick, supports students who are still deciding on their major. It offers enhanced resources and guidance through a tailored orientation process, specialized first-year studies, and focused major and career exploration, all aimed at helping students find their path with confidence.

These new initiatives - coupled with ongoing programs like the UT Success Academy, the Veterans Impact Program and Vol Success Teams - are designed to help students understand how their strengths contribute to their academic dreams, career paths and personal well-being.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, [email protected])

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