Archives for October 2024

CEHHS Professor’s Experience Coaching at Paris Olympics

October 31, 2024 by Douglas Edlund

CEHHS Professor’s Experience Coaching at Paris Olympics

By Cara Smith, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2024

Assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS), James Martinez discovered his love for rowing after watching the 1988 Seoul Olympics where he watched Anne Marden compete in rowing.

“It was really an inspiring race,” said Martinez. “She was way down and came back to win a silver.”

**James Martinez and Kathleen Noble at the 2024 Paris Olympics**

He was so impressed, he wrote Marden a letter, and she convinced him to start rowing. Since he began rowing, he has rowed competitively for the U.S. and represented them nationally and internationally from 1993 to 1998.

With his background in rowing, Kathleen Noble, an athlete from Uganda, approached him about coaching for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Noble was looking for a level-three, international coach when she discovered Martinez. Noble impressed Martinez instantly with her determination and technique, and the two began training together in June 2023 for 15 to 20 hours a week.

“Dr. Martinez is an extremely knowledgeable and dedicated coach,” said Noble. “My speed and technique improved significantly under his instruction as well as my understanding of what it takes to be an elite athlete.”

Noble is the first person ever to represent Uganda in rowing and qualified for the Paris Olympics in October 2023. Together, Martinez and Noble trained extensively until the games began.

**Martinez and Noble Training in East Tennessee**

Throughout training, UT supported Martinez and Noble extensively by supplying Noble with sports nutritionists and psychologists. Noble was also given a job by UT in the ELPS department and worked with Martinez over the summer.

“UT went all out to assist me with coaching and with her,” said Martinez.

Two weeks before leaving for Paris, while Noble was training, she broke her record by ten seconds. However, because of how hard she pushed herself, she got sick and had to take a week off.

Once she made it to Paris, Noble built her strength back and placed 26th—high enough to make the semi-finals but, unfortunately, not high enough to make the quarter-finals.

“Regardless of place, she is a two-time Olympic rower and first-time rower ever from Uganda,” said Martinez. “She’s a wonderful representative of her country.”

From sickness to uncomfortable beds and being under-sized from other athletes, Noble faced multiple difficulties during her time at the Olympics. Despite the hardships, the memories and excitement of Paris are something Martinez and Noble will never forget.

“He persistently challenged me to believe I was capable of more than I thought I was, and in the year and a half I worked with him, I did achieve results I would never have imagined possible for me,” said Noble. “Dr. Martinez has a passion for coaching combined with a wealth of experience as an elite sculling athlete that is rare.”

**Noble and Martinez Prep for Competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics**

In the future, Martinez’s decision to coach at the Olympics again will depend on the athlete and their skill.

“It would have to be the right person, and they would have to show me they have both the internal and external resources to be able to manage the Olympics,” said Martinez.

Martinez’s advice to future Olympic athletes is to understand it takes a lot of practice and dedication.

“Most don’t recognize that to get to the Olympics, it takes a lifetime,” said Martinez.

Special thanks to UT’s senior associate athletics director and associate provost, Marshall Steward, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, Jim Bemiller and Martinez’s students and departmental colleagues for making his time coaching at the 2024 Paris Olympics possible.

UT’s Grand Challenge Grant Leads to Addiction Counselor Program

October 23, 2024 by Douglas Edlund

UT’s Grand Challenge Grant Leads to Addiction Counselor Program

By Cara Smith, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2024

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science (CHDFS) received one challenge grant in September for overcoming addictions and to support those struggling with addiction in rural communities throughout Tennessee.

The grant was received through the University of Tennessee Grand Challenge grants program. This program is committed to investing up to $5 million over the next few years in community-tied projects and research.

The grant is a special research interest of Assistant Professor of Counselor Education, Jamian Coleman.

Portrait photo of Jamian Coleman. — **Jamian Coleman**

Coleman is currently in the process of developing a distance education alcohol and drug addiction certificate counseling program. The program will consist of several courses for UT students or those who have a high school degree and will provide the credit hours needed to take the exam for the certification.

The goal of the course is to be beneficial to residents of Tennessee especially in rural communities. Rural communities face different challenges when it comes to addiction like access to the Internet, lack of close healthcare, and easy access to transportation. The staff of healthcare providers is another challenge to consider.

“Medical staff, nurses, technicians, emergency room staff, addiction counselors, medical doctors and even law enforcement play an important role in providing addiction services in rural communities, and additional support is needed,”said Coleman.

In addition to providing access to healthcare, Coleman wants to see resources provided for persons dealing with addiction related concerns to help them navigate the world again. This includes access to housing, employment, transportation, case management, and multiple other variables.

“As difficult as it is to stop using a substance, that’s actually sometimes the easiest part,” said Coleman. “Moving toward a life that you find worth living is really the challenge.”

The substance itself is not to be minimized but figuring out meaning, purpose, life-long goals and how to contribute to society can be just as difficult.

The subject of addiction is tough to speak about and looks different to everyone. Coleman’s advice to those struggling with addiction is to admit it will be a long journey and find support and a trusted person to ask for help if needed. However, the most important piece of advice is to not give up hope and be aware of other resources like the suicide crisis lifeline, which also helps with substance abuse-related issues.

Watching a loved one struggle with addiction is heartbreaking. Families also need support and information on how to help which is another aspect Coleman hopes to incorporate into his counseling program.

“We need more support for families,” said Coleman. “We know that it can be a strength for someone who’s maybe seeking treatment or abstinence from a substance, and yet families struggle so much to be able to know what to support even looks like.”

Coleman was not always a counselor focused on addiction-related concerns. His first love was music.

Coleman graduated from Boston Conservatory with a master’s degree in music and opera performance. However, Coleman’s world shifted when he received his master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. Later, he worked in a community health agency that served people living with HIV. Here, he saw how HIV intersects with mental illness and addiction.

“I saw the greatest needs, particularly around the areas of addiction,” said Coleman. “Then from there, I wanted to think about how I could help prepare the next generation of counselors to serve the people who need our services and how to do that.”

Over time, Coleman got to know and love the people he was helping. He realized how important it is for people and counselors to see addicts as human beings.

“How do I see their innate value and worth, how do I acknowledge my own biases and how do I look beyond that and actually see the person that’s sitting in front of me?” said Coleman.

Building a relationship with his clients and forming a bond means trust, which is one of the most important aspects of counseling.

The projected completion date of the grant is fall 2025, and the online learning course is projected to start in fall 2026. The 18-month grant Coleman received was just under $100,000.

All in all, Coleman cares deeply about the effects of addiction and addiction in rural Tennessee communities. He cannot wait for his program to begin.

Hill Named Visiting Scholar at North Carolina Central University

October 22, 2024 by Douglas Edlund

Hill Named Visiting Scholar at North Carolina Central University

Portrait photo of Kimberly Hill. She has dark skin and dark hair. She is wearing a red suit and is smiling in the photo — **Kimberly R. Hill**

Kimberly Hill, Community Outreach Coordinator at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) is joining North Carolina Central University (NCCU) as a Visiting Scholar. During her time at NCCU, Hill will focus on advancing the University’s Community Engagement Initiatives, working to strengthen collaborations with local communities.

With extensive experience in community engagement and social impact, Hill is dedicated to developing inclusive programs that empower marginalized populations. As director of Project Excellence at CEHHS, Hill works with high school students ensure that they understand UT has a place for them and a reason for being there. At NCCU, her expertise will be instrumental in enhancing the university’s commitment to community service and academic engagement.

During her tenure, Hill will develop events, workshops and public discussions, inviting students, faculty, and community members to participate in meaningful dialogue about effective community engagement practices.

NCCU is looking forward to the positive impact of Hill’s work on the campus and in the surrounding community. For more information on her initiatives and upcoming events, please visit nccu.edu.

In addition, Hill, and fellow Educational Leadership and Policy Studies faculty member, Brandon Kliewer, will join the Leadership for Public Purpose leadership team as part of the Carnegie Classification initiative at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

UT Students’ Experience at Tennessee’s Annual Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

October 10, 2024 by Douglas Edlund

UT Students’ Experience at Tennessee’s Annual Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism

By Cara Smith, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2024

Three students from the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management (RHTM) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, attended the 2024 Governor’s Conference (Gov Con) in Chattanooga on Sept. 25-27.

Erin Cosentino, Paul Vaughn, and Lily Vincent were three out of 10 students in the Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) program chosen to attend Gov Con by the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association (TNHTA).

Group photo of GovCon attendees. — **(L-R) Lilly Vincent, Erin Consentino, Paul Vaughn**

The students submitted applications for the selection process, and professors in the department provided letters of recommendation.

“It was such an honor to be chosen to attend Gov Con. I appreciated the letters of support on my behalf from the RHTM department, here at UT, as well as the support from the TNHTA,” said Cosentino.

Gov Con is a three-day conference that brings together representatives of Tennessee’s travel and tourism industry. Speakers at this year’s conference included Gov. Bill Lee and Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Mark Ezell.

Being chosen to attend Gov Con is a recognition of student’s hard work, talent, and potential for the hospitality and tourism industry.

“It came with a great sense of responsibility, knowing that I was representing my university, and was truly rewarding,” said Cosentino.

While attending Gov Con, all three students had opportunities to make professional connections. They split off into breakout groups, where experts in HTM gave advice on different topics, like how expansions of airports affects travel and how to use TripAdvisor to maximize all its benefits.

Speeches at the conference were also a highlight to the students because they provided first-hand examples of Tennessee’s tourism industry.

“Commissioner Ezell gave a very insightful and informative presentation about the state’s high-ranking position in various categories of tourism across the country,” said Vaughn.

All three students recommend applying and attending Gov Con for the different skills learned and networking connections made.

“I would highly recommend this conference to any student wanting to be in the hospitality industry, especially if you wish to stay in Tennessee because you learn a lot of statistics about the state, as well as meet a ton of people,” said Vincent.

Advice they gave to next year’s participants is to be engaged, be present, set a goal, and ask lots of questions.

“Put your heart and soul into your application, because it is an experience you will never forget!” said Vaughn.

Foodie On a Budget? Check Out These Tips

October 4, 2024 by Douglas Edlund

Foodie On a Budget? Check Out These Tips

James Williams, associate professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences recently sat down with WalletHub.com to share how foodies on a budget can get the best bang for their buck.

What tips can you provide to foodies on a tight budget?

When finding something to eat on a tight budget, I recommend limiting your meals. View this as an opportunity to manage your calories for the identified most desirable meal time. Is it breakfast? Lunch? Or dinner? Whatever your preference, utilize that time as an opportunity to splurge on a food item or food items. Yet, I will snack around the chosen inopportune times. I suggest using the chosen food time to find an item or items that provide a variety of flavors, aiming to capture the taste of desirable foods that you might be out of your budget. This advice is being provided based on an unknown budget.

Portrait photo of James Williams. He has dark skin, dark hair, and a dark beard. He is wearing a hat, blue suit, shirt, and necktie. He is smiling in the photo. — **James Williams**

In evaluating the best foodie cities for your wallet, what are the top five indicators?

For me, they are diversity of cuisines, quality of restaurants, price of items, cultural food aspects, and uniqueness or appeal.

What are the dining-out trends for 2024, and how is inflation affecting Americans’ eating-out habits?

I have noticed more health-conscious and money-conscious diners. This has created two different niche markets, in my opinion. For health-conscious diners, they are reading labels and counting their macros, making sure proper fats, carbohydrates, and proteins are accounted for in their meals. Some conscious diners are shifting their paradigms to meal prep instead of traveling to restaurants. However, restaurants have a great opportunity to woo these diners by creating meals that consider conscious macro seekers. Money-conscious diners are maneuvering this space by deciding to stay in or by limiting item selections or choosing cheaper items. Restaurants should construct future menu items or limited items with a sound understanding of these niche markets and/or consumers.

What tips can you offer to health-conscious foodies who like to eat out?

Study menu items prior to visiting the set restaurant. I recommend having three potential item preferences. Once you identify those items, scan and analyze the ingredients. This can provide you with the information needed to request modifications or to accept the food option as is. I would eat some protein or some veggies prior to leaving the house. Eating prior to visiting a restaurant will mitigate hunger, which in turn, will alleviate a strong desire to spend outside of your budget. I would drink a full glass of water at the table. This will flush out your system, and it will reduce hunger and/or compulsion.

What role, if any, can local authorities play in improving the food scene in their city?

Local authorities should encourage restaurants to buy local produce and resources to stock their inventory by providing discounts for companies that purchase from local merchants. I think authorities should attend these restaurants and build public relations around their visits, in the hope of attracting new visitors. Perception is reality, and it requires total commitment and support to create a buzz around a business.

This story was repurposed from wallethub.com. You can view the original story here.

UT Helps Reduce Knox County Schools Teacher Shortage

October 4, 2024 by Douglas Edlund

UT Helps Reduce Knox County Schools Teacher Shortage

By Cara Smith, CEHHS Student Reporter, Class of 2024

Teacher shortage is an issue nationwide, but not for Knox County Schools. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) is part of the reason why.

“Effectively preparing teachers involves a multifaceted approach that combines rigorous academic coursework, extensive clinical experiences, and continuous mentorship, coaching and support” said David Cihak, CEHHS Associate Dean of Professional Educator Programs and Director of the Bailey Graduate School of Education. “By integrating evidence-based, high-leverage practices with regular observations and multiple opportunities across varied school and classroom settings for actionable feedback, our aspiring teachers are well-equipped to positively impact each student’s learning and development.”

David Cihak

The hiring process for Knox County Schools begins early each year because of resources they are given through UT, including access to start interviewing upcoming graduates. This takes the stress off principals toward the end of the year.

The culminating experience for aspiring teachers in CEHHS is a yearlong professional internship. During this time, they work alongside a mentor teacher form the opening to the closing of the school year, fully immersed in all aspects of classroom life from the very beginning. The comprehensive experience provides a solid foundation for their growth as educators.

Training is important to Knox County as well as UT. Teachers continue to be trained and learn new skills throughout the year, developing a clear picture of the expectations.

Portrait photo of Alex Moseman. He has fair skin, grey hair, is wearing a white shirt and light grey sport coat. He is smiling in the photo — **Alex Moseman**

“If our teachers are doing all these things, they’re in a great position to be really successful. They’re also in a position to practice in a way that’s manageable, attainable, and sequenced to help them develop, so that we’re not asking folks to do everything all at once,” said Alex Moseman, Executive Director of Human Resources Talent Acquisition for Knox County Schools.

UT offers alternative pathways to become a teacher like UT-PLAYS (Personalized Learning At Your Speed), a program that offers initial and add-on endorsement programs in special education and mathematics for current and prospective educators in the state of Tennessee.

UT-PLAYS is also cost-effective for potential students and is a program that allows them to work at their own pace.

“It costs $2,500 to receive an initial license, which I think is one of the most affordable options in the state,” said Moseman. “It’s a really interesting model, the way in which it’s taught asynchronously, with UT faculty behind all of the instruction.”

Knox County Schools and CEHHS worked hard to dwindle vacancies for this school year. There are currently eight vacancies across 92 schools with 4,600 teachers and 58,000 students.

If students are interested in learning more about teaching in Knox County Schools, they can visit TeachKnox.org to complete a quick profile and get connected with a recruiter, and students interested in learning more about the UT teacher education program can contact BeATeacher@utk.edu.