Leadership Shares Vision for Bringing UT to the Next Level, Highlights Achievements

The Campus Advisory Board of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, gathered to hear university priorities, including the ways UT wants to distinguish itself as an institution. Leaders outlined university achievements, record successes and innovative programs to guide students, provide them with experiential learning opportunities and build the future workforce.

Taking the University to the Next Level

Following her commitment to lead the university for five more years, Chancellor Donde Plowman shared her vision to bring the university to the next level and outlined the three key ways UT can build on existing strengths to distinguish itself: through an unmatched student experience, high impact research and having the No. 1 athletics department in the country.

"We are uniquely positioned to tackle big problems, drive collaboration, and make life and lives better for the people of Tennessee and across the country," Plowman said. "We are competing with schools that we have never competed with before, raising our national visibility. I want everyone who sees our name to know that UT is the place to go for the best student experience, the most impactful research and the most competitive athletics department."

Plowman highlighted historic student success at the university, including a record 91.9% of first-year students who returned for their sophomore year this fall and record graduation rates. More students are graduating faster than ever before, which creates capacity to educate more students and help meet demand.

Attracting and Retaining Students

The university's historic retention rate and high interest from prospective students helped drive the university's enrollment, which hit 38,728 for fall 2024.

Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Kari Alldredge told the group that almost 60,000 students applied to be a Volunteer last year, and the university has already received more than 52,000 applications for fall 2025. That number includes increases of more than 6% in first-year applicants and almost 5% in in-state applicants from all of Tennessee's 95 counties.

Alldredge highlighted the university's commitment to supporting expanded educational access for Tennesseans and its efforts to attract and retain more of Tennessee's best and brightest students through the expansion of UT's Flagship Scholarship.

Preparing Students for the Workforce

Vice Provost for Student Success Amber Williams told the board how the university is working to produce one of the most talented employment pipelines in the nation through the Vol Edge program.

The career readiness initiative, launching its first phase in January 2025, is focused on ensuring that every UT student is equipped to succeed in a competitive job market. The program will engage undergraduate students beginning in their sophomore year in structured learning and high-impact career experiences including internship opportunities, education abroad, service-learning and engagement with industry professionals. Students will also focus on their well-being and their ability to articulate their strengths to employers and graduate schools.

"When students show up for that interview, they're going to feel good about who they are," Williams said. "It won't be new for them because through Vol Edge they've walked through the process before."

Enhancing Music Education

Jeffrey Pappas, dean of the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, outlined the college's achievements since its transition to a college in July 2023. The college has experienced an increase in applications and enrollment, enhanced its visibility and recognition, and expanded opportunities for students.

"Music pervades Tennessee from Memphis to eastern Tennessee. We're rooted in history and composing the future," Pappas said. "We're providing relevant experiences for students, providing wellness and balance, and connecting our students within our community, the country and around the world."

Students are engaged with industry through live performances, events and collaborations with music organizations. The college supports student-run initiatives that contribute to the entrepreneurial growth of the music economy and is working to advance the field of music through innovative projects, performances and research. It contributes to workforce development by providing specialized degrees in music and producing career-ready graduates.

In addition, students are gaining experience through partnerships with other colleges on campus, and the college has an agreement with Pellissippi State Community College that formalizes a pathway for transfer students to continue their music education at UT.

Growing Online Learning

The board heard updates from Digital Learning, the university's new unit supporting fully online students, including its plans to grow the number of available online undergraduate programs in an effort to expand online enrollment. It plans to add five new programs for fall 2025 and another 10 for fall 2026.

Parking and Transportation Improvements

The board heard an update on the new parking system implemented this fall, which has helped reduce congestion on campus and improved transit efficiency. Key changes include tiered parking zones for commuter and noncommuter students, additional off-campus park-and-ride locations, expanded hourly options, improved transit routes and a larger fleet of buses.

Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Paul Byrnes said the number of students and employees taking advantage of economy and park-and-ride options has increased and ridership is up on most T bus routes. The university's partnership with Knoxville Area Transit provides students with free KAT bus rides throughout the city, and student KAT ridership is averaging about 1,200 per day.

The university in the future is planning for additional structured parking and surface lots.

About the Board

The Campus Advisory Board was created in 2018 when the Tennessee General Assembly passed the UT FOCUS Act, restructuring the UT Board of Trustees and creating an advisory board for each campus in the UT System. The board is charged with making campus-level recommendations to the UT Board of Trustees on strategic planning, operating budgets and tuition, as well as advising the chancellor.

Public members of the advisory board are Allen Carter of Niota, Alexia Poe of Nashville, Tomi Robb of Knoxville, Tom Smith of Nashville and John Tickle of Bristol.

The board also includes Faculty Senate-appointed member Elisabeth Schussler, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, and student appointee Dante Grayson, a fourth-year public administration student in the College of Arts and Sciences and president of the Student Government Association.

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