Rebekah Goode, Author at College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Celebrating 2026 CEHHS Top Grads

May 5, 2026 by Rebekah Goode

Celebrating 2026 CEHHS Top Grads

As commencement season begins, the College of Education, Health & Human Sciences celebrates the graduating students who have earned the highest cumulative GPAs. These remarkable Vols exemplify hard work, commitment, and academic excellence during their time on Rocky Top.

Keep reading to learn about our Top Graduates from the Class of 2026.

Congratulations, Vols! We’re excited to see where your journey takes you next.

Kyla Alexander

Hometown: Concord, NC

Major: Sport Management and Marketing, Sales

What You’ve Loved Most: I love all of the opportunities that exist within the program to gain real world experience. It has been wonderful to have such supportive faculty that have helped me to reach my goals during my time at UT.

Next Steps: Starting this fall, I will be pursuing a Juris Doctorate.

Audrey Barton

Hometown: Normandy, TN

Major: Recreation and Sport Management

What You’ve Loved Most: I love that this program provides opportunities to students to explore current industry trends/topics and engage in real-world application.

Favorite UT Tradition: Running through the T!

Advice You’d Give to Your Freshman Self: Get involved! UT offers so many different avenues for students to get involved- sports, academics, Greek life, on-campus employment, and so many student organizations! My favorite memories as a UT student have come from the places I’ve gotten involved with on campus and the people I have met through them!

Hannah Freeman

Hometown: Rocky Top, TN

Major: Special Education

What You’ve Loved Most: The thing I love most about my program is the people it brought me! The people I share classes with aren’t just a cohort, but are my friends! We bond over course work, practicum placements, and just life!

Next Steps: After graduation, I will be teaching as a K-5 CDC Special Education teacher. I will also will be pursuing my Master’s degree through Lincoln Memorial University.

Sydney Harvey

Hometown: Lilburn, GA

Major: Audiology and Speech Pathology, Minors in American Sign Language and Human Development and Family Science

What You’ve Loved Most: I love all the opportunities that CEHHS has provided for me! I love being apart of DUAB and the research I do within AUSP!

Next Steps: I am attending WashU Medicine in the fall to pursue my Doctorate of Audiology!

Mollie Mayfield

Hometown: Trinity, NC

Major: Audiology and Speech Pathology

What You’ve Loved Most: I love how many opportunities are available to students at UT! There is truly something for everyone, and I am thankful for the wonderful opportunities I have had!

Next Steps: I’m attending Western Carolina University to pursue a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology and a certification in Autism Training!

Caroline Peplow

Hometown: Oak Ridge, TN

Major: Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)

What You’ve Loved Most: I love how caring and supportive the professors are. I can say without a doubt that each of my professors is invested in my eduction and future career.

Next Steps: I will be getting my masters at UT. I am doing the internship route, and I am beyond excited for my student teaching experience.

Kate Sittler

Hometown: Huntersville, NC

Major: Elementary Education

What You’ve Loved Most: I have loved my professors and the friends I have met through my college. They’ve consistently been so kind and supportive and pushed me to always be my best. I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities through my program to get into the classroom and I’ll always be grateful for the relationships I’ve built!

Advice You’d Give to Your Freshman Self: Say “yes” more! Every chance to be in a classroom is so valuable and you’ll learn so much from every person you meet!

Next Steps: I will be starting my master’s program here at UT in May, so I will be earning my master’s in Elementary Education while student teaching over the next year!

Madilyn Tipton

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

Major: Elementary Education

What You’ve Loved Most: I love my program at the University of Tennessee! The professors are not only knowledgeable, but they truly care about my growth and success, constantly encouraging me to become the best educator I can be. I’m also grateful for the friendships I’ve built with my peers. We support each other, learn together, and share the same passion for making a difference in students’ lives. I’m so proud to be part of this community.

Next Steps: I look forward to continuing my education at UT this summer! I will begin a full-year internship while working toward my master’s degree in elementary education.

Annie Wahlen

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Major: Special Education

What You’ve Loved Most: My favorite thing about the special education program is the incredible community of professors and students. Our professors care so deeply about what they are teaching and about us as future educators. I can’t wait to go to class to debrief the week with my cohort; they have become some of my best friends!

Advice You’d Give to Your Freshman Self: You get out what you put in! There are so many opportunites here and so enjoy it and give everything your all!

Next Steps: I am pursuing my master’s of Special Education here at UT!

Hannah Watts

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA

Major: Audiology and Speech Pathology

What You’ve Loved Most: I love how united the faculty is in my program. I appreciate how they all collaborate together to ensure the students’ understanding of the content.

Next Steps: I will be attending the University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center to obtain my Doctorate in Audiology in the fall. I have been offered and have accepted the most prestigious graduate assistantship the program offers.

Not Pictured:

Candace Brown
Major: Human Development and Family Science

Ellie Hassell
Major: Special Education

Anna Jackson
Major: Kinesiology

Anna Mathis
Major: Sport Management

Leah Pruter
Major: Audiology and Speech Pathology

Kaitlyn Roper
Major: Audiology and Speech Pathology

Lila Shipp
Major: Child and Family Studies, Community Outreach

Alexis Thaxton
Major: Elementary Education

Annie Wade
Major: Nutrition, Dietetics

2026 Educators Hall of Honor Inductees

April 20, 2026 by Rebekah Goode

2026 Educators Hall of Honor Inductees

In the hallowed halls where aspiring teachers learn, the Educators Hall of Honor represents all those who have passed along knowledge, understanding, creativity, and the joy of learning from one generation to the next. By touching the lives of others, educators make the world a better place for generations to come.

The preparation of educators has been a tradition of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, since 1880. The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences’ Educators Hall of Honor allows donors to offer a tribute to those special individuals who have inspired and shaped and transformed them. It is our hope that this permanent tribute to the large accomplishments and small miracles of the past will also inspire new generations of educators.

The Educators Hall of Honor Class of 2026 includes: Patrick Biddix, Suzanne Bryant, Kim Hall, Terri Hopkins, Emily McDonald, Suzanne Parham, Alesha Shumar, and Antoinette Williams. This year’s Educators Hall of Honor Scholarship Recipient is Eliezer Castaneda. Keep reading to learn about each inductee.

To see photos of from year’s induction ceremony, click here.

Patrick Biddix

J. Patrick Biddix is Associate Vice Provost for Student Success Analytics and Executive Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan at UT. He is also the Jimmy and Ileen Cheek Endowed Professor of Higher Education and has been a member of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences faculty for 15 years. He believes that every person on a college campus has both an opportunity and an obligation to educate. His research and teaching focus on assessment, research methods, and college student engagement, with an emphasis on how students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

He began his career in student affairs at Washington University in St. Louis, then taught at Valdosta State University before joining UT’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in 2011. His leadership roles have included program coordinator for higher education and college student personnel, associate director of the Postsecondary Education Research Center, interim department head, chair of the college and department promotion and tenure committees, faculty director for research and assessment in the Division of Student Success, and Faculty Fellow for Access and Engagement.

He has authored nine books and more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and has received awards for research and graduate student mentorship. In 2022, he was awarded the first endowed professorship in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, and in 2015 was named a U.S. Fulbright Scholar in Montreal, Canada. Nationally, he serves as a Faculty Research Fellow and Project Lead with the What Works project at Penn State’s Piazza Center. He also advises the Women’s Research Committee of the National Panhellenic Conference and has been recognized with international awards for his service.

A proud UT alumnus, Biddix earned his bachelor’s degree in Classical Civilization in 2001, where he was actively involved in orientation, fraternity life, Team VOLS, and student government. He later earned his master’s at the University of Mississippi and his Ph.D. at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. A first-generation college graduate from a ninth-generation rural Appalachian family in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, he was the first in his family to attend college. In addition to his work at UT, he remains closely connected to his alma mater, serving on the Classics Advisory Council.

Outside of work, Biddix enjoys spending time with his wife, Erika, an entrepreneurial strategist for women, and their three children: Jackson, Clare, and Benjamin. He volunteers with Scouts BSA, is an avid board gamer, musical theatre enthusiast, and 1980s movie fan. He enjoys competitive 5K training and can often be seen running across and around campus in preparation for his next race.

Portrait of a light-skinned woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, smiling broadly, wearing a black blazer over a white top, with a softly blurred wall of colorful artwork in the background.

Suzanne Bryant

Dr. Suzanne Bryant is a dedicated master educator with K-12 experience as a teacher (1990-2005), principal (2005-2007), data/curriculum coordinator (2007-2010), Assistant Director of Schools for Instruction (2010-until retirement), and an adjunct professor (East Tennessee State University (2019-2020), Carson Newman (2024- Present), and Co-founder Designing Leaders.

She is a lifelong resident of Campbell County and has been actively invested in the betterment of education to make a positive difference in the lives of students. Through her professional positions in both her home county and later in Greeneville City Schools, her commitment remained steadfast.

A 1986 Campbell County High School graduate, Dr. Bryant entered the University of Tennessee where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Educational Specialist Administration and Supervision degree. In 2016 she earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from East Tennessee State University. After devoting 34 years to the advancement of education for students and colleagues, Dr. Bryant retired. Upon retirement, she co-founded Designing Leaders, offering custom consulting for education, business, and technology by providing solutions to grow leadership and cultivate the next generation of leaders.

While serving as Greeneville City Assistant Director of Schools, Dr. Bryant led in the development, planning, and implementation of a fully on-line K-12 school as well as the Teacher Leader Academy and Aspiring Administrator Academy. She has served as a board member for the Diversity and Inclusion Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and a committee member for the Tennessee Department of Education Accountability Advisory Committee. She was selected as Greeneville City District Supervisor of the Year for 2023-2024.

Kim Hall

Dr. Kimberely Bingham Hall is a distinguished three-time graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, earning both her master’s and doctoral degrees from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

Dr. Hall has dedicated herself to the private sector of higher education where she has served in a variety of institutional leadership roles including faculty member, Academic Dean, Executive VP/Provost, and Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement & Effectiveness. She is considered an authority and leading voice on the value of proprietary higher education.

Additionally, Dr. Hall has made numerous contributions beyond her campus to the peer review process of accreditation. Her positions of leadership include Board of Trust of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and Tennessee Representative to the SACSCOC Executive Council.

Dr. Hall serves on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee College Association and has presented and published on a variety of higher education topics.

Dr. Hall is a graduate of Leadership Knoxville and is a past member of the Knoxville Chamber Partnership Higher Education Forum, the American Association of University Women, and the Association for the Study of Higher Education. She is a member of South Harriman Baptist Church.

Terri Hopkins

Dr. Theresa Hopkins is a Master Teacher for the Center for Enhancing Education in Mathematics and Sciences. She has taught mathematics in public schools in middle Tennessee, working with students in grades 7-12 and was named building-level teacher of the year 3 times and system-level teacher of the year once.

Moving back to Knoxville in 2000, Hopkins returned to UT Knoxville and earned her MS and PhD degrees in teacher education. As a graduate student, she worked with student interns as they completed their student teaching experience, serving as a mentor and evaluator.

As a Post-Doctoral fellow, she taught courses for the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education. Most recently, Hopkins has served as a mathematics teacher, lead teacher, and Director for the Tennessee Governor’s Academy for Mathematics and Science, a residential high school for advanced juniors and seniors from across the state.

Throughout her career, Hopkins has focused on professional development – her own and that of fellow teachers. She has presented at a number of local, state, regional, and national conferences for mathematics teachers and mathematics teacher educators.

Emily McDonald

Emily Ann McDonald has taught high school mathematics in Hamilton County Schools since 2015. She began her teaching career at Red Bank High School, where she gained experience teaching Algebra 1 through Calculus. She currently teaches Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and Statistics at University High, a partnership between Hamilton County Schools and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

McDonald was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) 2023 by the White House for her passion, dedication, and impact in the classroom. Also, she received the Chattanooga Technology Council 2024 Tech Educator of the Year Award, the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network 2024 Excellence in STEM Teaching Award, the Tennessee Educational Technology Association 2021 Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Hamilton County Schools High School Teacher of the Year in 2019. In 2025, McDonald was selected for the “20 Under 40” class by Chatter Magazine in Chattanooga.

McDonald strives to provide innovative ways to incorporate STEM concepts in her mathematics lessons through the integration of technology, student choice, and community partnerships. By integrating real-world problems through problem-based learning, McDonald aspires to make mathematics accessible and relevant for all students. Her students participate annually in the Mathematics Poster Competition at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

McDonald has presented at several local, state, regional, and national mathematics conferences and educational technology conferences. McDonald is a Google Certified Trainer, Google Innovator, and Desmos Classroom Fellow. She has been awarded grants from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Junior League of Chattanooga, Tennessee Valley Authority STEM Grant, Chattanooga Public Education Foundation Teacherpreneur Program, and Tennessee Mathematics Teachers Association. In 2023, McDonald completed a six-week summer teacher research experience in Maryland as part of the Research Experiences for STEM Educators and Teachers hosted by the Army Educational Outreach Program. Also, she was a participant in the National Museum of Mathematics Rosenthal Prize Summer Institute. She is currently participating in the Medal of Honor Heritage Center Teacher Fellowship program.

Suzanne Parham

Suzanne Parham is the Executive Principal of Farragut Intermediate School in Knox County Schools, where she leads a community of approximately 1,186 students in grades three through five, supported by a leadership team of three assistant principals and a staff of more than 120 employees.

Under her leadership, Farragut Intermediate School has earned recognition as a Tennessee Reward School for five consecutive years, received the Governor’s Civic Seal Award, been named one of USA Today’s Top 100 Elementary Schools, and consistently ranked among the top three schools in Knox County Schools. Her work is grounded in high expectations for student learning, strong instructional systems, and a commitment to developing educators as leaders.

Parham holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Florida State University, a Master of Science in Education and Reading Specialist Certification from the University of Tennessee, an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of Tennessee. She is also a graduate of the Knox County Schools Leadership Academy.

In addition to her service at Farragut Intermediate School, Parham serves as a District Director for the Tennessee Principals Association, contributing to statewide leadership development and professional advocacy. She also serves the Town of Farragut through active civic engagement, including service on the Town of Farragut Tree Board and as a consulting member to the town’s educational advisory efforts and related municipal committees. Her work reflects a sustained commitment to public service, community partnership, and the advancement of education.

Alesha Shumar

Alesha Shumar is Associate Professor, Fred O. Stone University Archivist, and Assistant Director of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives. She oversees more than 4,000 linear feet of multi-format collections, stewarding the university’s history while expanding access to primary sources that enrich teaching, learning, and research.

Shumar joined UT Libraries in 2010 after serving as Archivist for the Frick Collection at the University of Pittsburgh. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and geography education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh. Her passion for archives began as a student employee for her alma mater’s special collections and was further shaped by processing archaeological artifacts during a study abroad experience in Cyprus.

Among the first archivists in the country to be certified as a Digital Archives Specialist by the Society of American Archivists, Shumar is a leader in advancing digital access to archival collections. Deeply engaged in campus life, she also curates’ university history displays across campus that celebrate distinguished faculty, traditions, and institutional legacy, bringing the past to life for new generations of students and scholars.

Antoinette Williams

Antoinette Williams is a dedicated educator, veteran, and community leader whose service to UT and the Knoxville community exemplifies the Volunteer spirit. A proud UT alumna, she earned her Master of Science in Education from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Originally from Merritt Island, Florida, she served in the US Navy before beginning her career in education.

With over two decades of teaching experience, Williams currently teaches seventh grade social studies at Knoxville’s West Valley Middle School, where she also serves as yearbook advisor and a member of the leadership team. She has been named Teacher of the Year at the building-level in 2016, 2020, and 2022.

Williams’ service extends far beyond the classroom. She has served on the Knox County Schools Teacher Advisory Council and Minority Advisory Council and was honored as WBIR Teacher of the Week and TEA Distinguished Educator. At UT, she has been a UT Promise mentor and President of the Black Alumni Council, where she championed mentorship, engagement, and endowment growth.

A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Williams is known for her tireless volunteerism—from mentoring students and writing notes to prospective Volunteers, to supporting Smokey’s Pantry and alumni events. Her unwavering dedication, leadership, and generosity make her a true embodiment of the Volunteer spirit which was recognized by Williams receiving the UT Alumni Service Award in 2025.

Eliezer Castaneda

2026 EHOH Scholarship Recipient

Eliezer Castaneda is an exceptional student and future educator who consistently demonstrates kindness, professionalism, and attentiveness to others. When challenges arise, he readily offers support, reflecting his collaborative and service-minded spirit.

Thoughtful and detail-oriented, Castaneda carefully designs instruction to meet student needs. For a Read Aloud assignment, he selected a text with his multilingual learner in mind and created a supplemental presentation to enhance engagement and understanding for the entire class. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Castaneda brings strong cultural and linguistic awareness to his work with diverse learners.

Holtz and Rosenberg Present the Presidential AI Challenge at the Inaugural AI Tennessee Summit

April 16, 2026 by Rebekah Goode

Holtz and Rosenberg Present the Presidential AI Challenge at the Inaugural AI Tennessee Summit

At the inaugural AI Tennessee Summit, Emily Holtz and Joshua Rosenberg represented the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences as both attendees and featured presenters, sharing their work on the Presidential AI Challenge and how it is being shaped in collaboration with educators and students across Tennessee.

Their session with Reid Jackson, Computer Science Educator and AI Program Lead at L&N Stem Academy, centered on how the Presidential AI Challenge is being implemented in real, K-12 educational settings, and how classroom-based experimentation and feedback are shaping its direction. The presentation drew a steady audience of educators, researchers, and policymakers interested in how AI initiatives translate beyond theory into practice.

For Josh Rosenberg, Haslam Family Professor and associate professor of STEM Education in the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE), the experience stood out as a defining professional moment. He shared, “This was a statewide collaboration involving a group of wonderful faculty (Memphis, Fisk, MTSU) and educators (Metro Nashville, Knox County, Roane County, Alcoa, Shelby County, and Murfreesboro City), so it was an honor to share a bit on our work at the AI Tennessee Summit. It was a career highlight!”

Emily Holtz, assistant professor of elementary education in TPTE, emphasized the collaborative foundation behind their presentation, noting, “For me, being invited to the AI Summit and asked to share our work done in partnership with faculty, teachers, and students across Tennessee was a truly meaningful opportunity.”

For Holtz, that sense of meaning was rooted in something deeper. “What stood out most was how much stronger this work becomes when it’s shaped alongside teachers, students, and community partners and grounded in real classrooms and real questions,” she said. “It’s a reminder that the future of AI in education is not just about innovation, but about whose perspectives are informing the work and how those closest to it are part of the process.”

Together, their presentation underscored a central theme of the summit: initiatives like the Presidential AI Challenge gain their strongest footing when they are built with educators and students, not just for them.

Learn more about the inaugural AI Tennessee Summit at aitennessee.ai.

2025 Educators Hall of Honor Inductees

August 28, 2025 by Rebekah Goode

2025 Educators Hall of Honor Inductees

The Educators Hall of Honor Class of 2025 includes: Sarah DeYoung, Susan Espiritu, Marica Goldenstein, Bob Kesling, Charmaine Mamantov, Saundra McGuire, Sherry Morgan, David Royse, and Kirsten Salonga. Keep reading to learn about each inductee.

To see photos of from year’s induction ceremony, click here.

Sarah DeYoung

Sarah DeYoung attended Maryville College and had the honor of being selected co-chair of the All College Council which she co-chaired with the college president. Sarah graduated from Maryville College with a bachelor’s degree in English. She received her master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Tennessee. Her career positions included Admissions Counselor and Financial Aide Counselor at Maryville College, and Financial Aide Director and Director of Academic Advising for the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee.

“Sarah’s leadership qualities made her an invaluable team member in the dean’s office. She was a natural leader and problem solver, always reliable and resourceful, extremely dedicated and hardworking. She always took the initiative to figure out what needed to be done with minimal guidance from me. For example, she developed procedures, protocols, and processes over the years for managing student services within the college and across departments. Those strategies ensured the smooth delivery of services to faculty in their advising roles to students, and to students, as recipients of that advising. I always valued her expertise and direction on student services processes. When I had to be away from the office, I depended on Sarah to step in and she always delivered ably.” — Delores E. Smith, Professor Emerita, UT Dept. of Child & Family Studies

Susan Espiritu

Susan Espiritu retired from Knox County Schools after 35 years as an educator where she taught multiple grades in both elementary and middle schools. She also served as an academic coach for classroom teachers and concluded her career serving 16 years in the assistant and principal positions in three local elementary schools where she was voted by her peers the National Principal of the Year for Tennessee in 2012.

From Laura Haun, close family member, “I have been fortunate to watch and learn from Susan Espiritu over the years as an educator in many different capacities. Her life and service to education have gone far beyond the awards and accolades that she has received.

For over four decades, I’ve been privileged to watch her dedication to using and developing innovative teaching methods that foster learning in students of diverse ages, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. She has challenged other educators not to fall into complacency when things are going well but to continuously grow and continue to find new ways of imparting knowledge while creating a fun environment.

The impact she has made in education and so many other industries is the epitome of the multiplier effect, where her influence has multiplied far beyond the results that she achieved on her own. While many educators chose the profession as a direct result of her example, many professionals are better in other industries because she taught, led, and guided them. I successfully run a division of the largest privately owned media company in the US because of the tenacity, development mindset, and innovative characteristics I learned from her. I pursued and received my DBA in Organizational Management so I could educate high school and college students in the same manner that she did. Additionally, Kalea Derry, her youngest daughter, became a teacher and college counselor because of Susan’s example.”

Marcia Goldenstein

Marcia Goldenstein taught painting and drawing at the University of Tennessee from 1976 to 2013 and recently earned the position of Professor Emeritus. Throughout her career she received numerous research, travel and exhibition grants and awards and was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Excellence in Advising Award in 2006. In addition to her extensive teaching experience, Goldenstein exhibited throughout the Southeast and her home state of Nebraska. Her work is included in private and corporate collections all over the country.

Marcia received her B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in Painting and Drawing from the University of Nebraska. She taught at the University of Tennessee School of Art for 36 years. She has been a visiting artist at the National Academy of Fine Arts, Bratislava, Slovakia; Sichuan University, Chengdu; Beihang University, Beijing; University of Texas, San Antonio; Arizona State University; University of Indianapolis; Tudor Hall, UK; College of the Ozarks; Knoxville Museum of Art; Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts, Wroclav, Poland, and many other schools and museums. She has an international exhibition record and is represented in numerous public and private collections in the US, Europe, and China.

In 2021 Professor Goldstein was awarded a Tennessee Arts Commission Fellowship.In 2016 she was named Outstanding Alumna at the University of Nebraska Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. She has also received numerous awards for her paintings.

She is currently Professor Emerita of Painting and Drawing at the University of Tennessee School of Art.

Bob Kesling

For more than 21 years, Bob Kesling has served as the “Voice of the Vols” and is a beloved figure representing the men’s UT basketball team and football program. To say he expertly educated listeners everywhere in the x’s and o’s of sports is an understatement.

He began his association with the University of Tennessee in 1972 as a walk-on fullback for the Vols, and his broadcasting career began in 1974 as a film editor for the Bill Battle Show. Bob served as John Ward’s spotter for Vol Network radio broadcasts in 1976, and from 1978-1999 he served as the voice for the Lady Vol basketball team.

Bob served as the basketball pre-game host and play-by-play announcer in 1989, and then in football broadcasts as a sideline reporter and play-by-play announcer in 1992. His other announcer credits include SEC football & basketball championship games, NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, as well as Tennessee baseball.

Bob has graciously served as our emcee for the Educators Hall of Honor induction ceremony for more than a decade and we thank him for his professionalism and dedication.

Charmaine Mamantov

Charmaine Mamantov is a chemist, published scientist, 89-year-old grandmother of nine (eight of them women in science), and University of Tennessee emerita faculty member. During her 44-year career, Charmaine embraced new technologies such as computer-based grading and the ever-present, SmartBoard.

Charmaine Bienvenu Mamantov came to Knoxville in 1961 with her late husband, Gleb. As his research partner, Charmaine had her name on several books, papers, and a patent. In 1976, she earned a UT doctorate in education, and taught freshman chemistry with tireless verve.

They visited Gatlinburg on their 1956 honeymoon and returned for Gleb’s appointment to the Department of Chemistry. They researched batteries and molten salt chemistry.

Charmaine graduated from Our Lady of Mercy girls’ Catholic high school in St. Martinville, Louisiana, and was the valedictorian in a class of twelve.

Along with teaching, the Mamantov legacy includes financial support: Charmaine has given to UT for more than 40 years, notably to the Department of Chemistry, which is looking to replace the aging Buehler Hall.

Saundra McGuire

Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire is the Director Emerita of the Center for Academic Success and retired Assistant Vice Chancellor and Professor of Chemistry at LSU. Prior to joining LSU, she spent eleven years at Cornell University, where she received the coveted Clark Distinguished Teaching Award. She has delivered keynote addresses or presented workshops at over 400 institutions in 46 states and ten countries. Her book, Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate into Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation, was released in October 2015 and is a Stylus Publishing bestseller. The student version of this book, Teach Yourself How to Learn: Strategies You Can Use to Ace Any Course at Any Level, was released in January 2018.

The most recent of her honors include the 2017 American Chemical Society (ACS) Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students to Pursue Careers in the Chemical Sciences and induction into the LSU College of Science Hall of Distinction. She also received the 2015 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Lifetime Mentor Award and the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. She is an elected Fellow of the ACS, AAAS, and Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations. In November 2007 the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring was presented to her in a White House Oval Office Ceremony. Additionally, she has achieved Level Four Lifetime Learning Center Leadership Certification through the National College Learning Center Association.

She received her B.S. degree, magna cum laude, from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her master’s degree from Cornell, and her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she received the Chancellor’s Citation for Exceptional Professional Promise. She is married to Dr. Stephen C. McGuire, a professor of physics at Southern University. They are the parents of Dr. Carla McGuire Davis and Dr. Stephanie McGuire, and the doting grandparents of Joshua, Ruth, Daniel, and Joseph Davis.

Sherry Morgan

Dr. Sherry Morgan is a native of East Tennessee. She is the daughter of a blue-collar father who proudly served his country as a tail gunner in World War II and a mother who raised three children in the Powell community of Knoxville.

Sherry always knew she wanted to attend the University of Tennessee. She arrived on the Hill in the fall of 1967 as the first in her immediate family to attend college. She enrolled in the College of Home Economics to pursue her dream of working in retail merchandising. That first fall at UT, a high school classmate who was also a freshman asked her out as his homecoming date. More than 50 years later, she and Charlie are still inseparable.

Sherry graduated from UT in 1971 and went to work for Millers Department Store. One of her first assignments was to help open the company’s anchor store at the new West Town Mall in 1972. After a few years of working in retail, which included weekends and evenings, Sherry realized that she and Charlie were ships passing in the night, so she made the decision to go back to school and get her master’s in Elementary Education. That decision changed Sherry’s life and subsequently the lives of thousands of students she would impact over her more than 30 years in education.

She began her career in education at Chilhowee Elementary School where she gained experience across a spectrum of grades from kindergarten to the 6th grade. Her passion to influence the lives of young people led to a desire to have a broader impact. So, she once again returned to UT to pursue her doctorate. This led to 26 years in educational administration including eight years as the Superintendent of Schools for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville.

Throughout her career, Dr. Morgan was known as an innovator, unifier, and a champion for the educators she led and the students she served. Despite being retired for almost 15 years, Dr. Morgan continues to have a profound impact in the educational community and the Knoxville community at large. She has always embodied the Volunteer creed through her deeds and has dedicated her life’s work to giving light to others.

David Royse

Dr. David M. Royse has over thirty-nine years’ experience in the education field. He taught middle and high school band in the Kentucky public schools for five years, then spent ten years as a music education faculty member at Kansas State University, where he was a 1998 recipient of the William L. Stamey Undergraduate Teaching Award from the KSU College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Royse was hired at the University of Tennessee in the fall of 2000, where he served as Coordinator of Music Education from 2002 until his retirement at the end of Fall Semester 2024. A frequent presenter at state and national conferences, he authored or co-authored articles in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Contributions to Music Education, Music Educators Journal, and Teacher Magazine.

He is a Past President for the Southern Chapter of the College Music Society. He was the recipient of a 2004 University of Tennessee Citation for Excellence in Advising and the 2012 University of Tennessee School of Music Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Royse is a 2022 inductee into the Tennessee Music Education Association Hall of Fame.

Kirsten Salonga

Kirsten Salonga graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in ecology and evolutionary biology, and a minor in secondary education. Among many other awards, she received the Brent and Rachel Trentham Endowed Scholarship in 2015.

Through the VolsTeach program, Kirsten was able to earn licensure to teach secondary science while completing her bachelor’s degree, and today she is an ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) Environmental Science & Biology teacher at Justice High School in Falls Church, Virginia.

Recently Kirsten received the American Field Service 2025 Educator of the Year Award and is serving as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair for the Virginia Association of Science Teachers.

In 2024, National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions selected Kirsten as one of 35 PreK-12 classroom and informal educators from across the continent to be part of their 16th cohort of Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. As a Fellow, she had the opportunity to embark on a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic voyage, “Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness,” aboard one of Lindblad Expeditions’ state-of-the-art expedition vessels, National Geographic Quest. Throughout her voyage, Kirsten had hands-on, field-based educational and research opportunities, as well as a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience that she will use to inform her curriculum and inspire her students to become environmental stewards.

Celebrating 2025 CEHHS Top Grads

May 12, 2025 by Rebekah Goode

Celebrating 2025 CEHHS Top Grads

As commencement season unfolds, the College of Education, Health & Human Sciences proudly honors our graduating students with the highest cumulative GPAs. These exceptional Vols have demonstrated outstanding dedication and academic excellence throughout their time on Rocky Top.

Scroll down to learn more about the incredible achievements of our Top Grads from the Class of 2025!

Congratulations, Vols! We can’t wait to see the amazing things you’ll do next.

Allyssa Boring

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

Major: Human Development and Family Sciences, Community Outreach

What You’ve Loved Most: The faculty is phenomenal. They have always been so kind and supportive, not to mention their amazing teaching skills!

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Don’t worry too much about finding the “right path.” It will find you!

Next Steps: I am starting my master’s program here at UT in June. I will be completing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling over the next two years and will then go through the process to become a therapist.

Kaylee Burnett

Hometown: Mableton, GA

Major: Human Development and Family Sciences, Community Outreach

What You’ve Loved Most: I love all of the opportunities that I was pushed to try like a practicum, a new language, and senior thesis.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Say “yes” to everything while you can and soak in every moment!

Next Steps: I’ll be doing therapeutic recreation as a life enrichment assistant at a skilled nursing facility!

Emma Butler

Hometown: Medina, TN

Major: Nutrition, Dietetics

What You’ve Loved Most: The Nutrition program here is so caring and supportive. All of the professors I had wanted me to excel within the program and in my professional development. In addition, my cohort was small, so I became friends with everyone. We all lift each other up and want each other to succeed.

Next Steps: Once I graduate, I am continuing my education at the University of Tennessee to obtain my master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Kennedy Click

Hometown: Greeneville, TN

Major: Audiology and Speech Pathology, Minor in Business Administration

What You’ve Loved Most: The AUSP major provides so many opportunities to try new things and meet new people! I have loved learning sign language, serving at Camp Koinonia, and building genuine friendships within my cohort!

Favorite UT Tradition: I love so many of UT’s traditions, but I had so much fun roasting s’mores at the Torchbearer to celebrate graduating!

Next Steps: I am pursuing my doctorate degree in audiology at UTHSC in the fall!

Katherine Cofer

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

Major: Elementary Education

What You’ve Loved Most: All of my professors were incredibly supportive and deeply committed to equipping us with the skills and knowledge to become exceptional educators for our future students.

Next Steps: I will be a 2nd grade teacher at Sequoyah Elementary School this upcoming school year!

Molly Coleman

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

Major: Human Development and Family Sciences, Community Outreach

What You’ve Loved Most: I love my program because of the amazing professors, supportive peers, and the strong sense of community. I am so grateful for everything I have learned and all the experiences that have helped me grow!

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Take care of your mental health and take advantage of every opportunity to learn.

Next Steps: I am completing a Child Life Practicum at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, during Summer 2025!

Adalea Davis

Hometown: Robbins, TN

Major: Human Development and Family Sciences, Early Childhood Education

What You’ve Loved Most: I think the best part of CEHHS is the professors! Every CEHHS professor I’ve had has been so kind and willing to provide any support needed! The literacy studies professors have provided me with over three years of research assistant experience, and my early childhood education professors have guided my growth as a future teacher.

Favorite UT Tradition: I love football gamedays! The outfits, Italian ice, and school spirit are so fun!

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Try everything! You’re only 20 in college once.

Next Steps: I’m attending the University of Michigan for a master’s degree in elementary education!

Skylar Fromm

Hometown: Dalton, GA

Major: Therapeutic Recreation

What You’ve Loved Most: The Therapeutic Recreation program at UT helped me discover my passion for helping others and making a difference in their lives. Through internships and my experience at Camp Koinonia, I gained hands-on experience working with individuals with disabilities, which made a huge impact on me. I am so grateful for how this program made my time at UT exciting, meaningful, and truly special.

Favorite UT Tradition: My favorite UT tradition is the iconic checkerboard Neyland. There’s nothing like seeing the stadium decked out in orange and white and feeling the energy of the crowd. I especially love when the stadium gets “Neyland loud.” It’s a sound and feeling you can’t explain unless you’ve experienced it. That roar, that passion—there’s nothing like it, and it makes being a Vol unforgettable.

Next Steps: I will be attending the University of Tennessee this fall to pursue my master’s degree in Sports Management. I’m excited to continue my education on Rocky Top and take the next step toward a career in the sports industry.

Abbie Hadener

Hometown: Boynton Beach, FL

Major: Nutrition, Dietetics

What You’ve Loved Most: I really love all the hands-on learning opportunities that the dietetics concentration provides us with. It has been amazing getting to practice the skills we learn with standardized patients in our practicum classes!

Favorite UT Tradition: My favorite tradition at UT is the checker Neyland game!

Next Steps: I will be attending the Masters of Nursing program at Vanderbilt University!

Jessica Herbert

Hometown: Canton, GA

Major: Audiology and Speech Pathology

What You’ve Loved Most: I love how united the faculty is in my program. I appreciate how they all collaborate together to ensure the students’ understanding of the content.

Sidney Keck

Hometown: Dandridge, TN

Major: Audiology and Speech Pathology

What You’ve Loved Most: One of my favorite aspects of my experience in the Audiology and Speech Pathology program has been the incredible relationships I’ve built during my final year of undergrad. My professors and classmates have made this year truly unforgettable, and this program gave me some of my best friends!

Favorite UT Tradition: My favorite UT tradition is checkering Neyland each year for big football games.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Soak in every moment. These last four years have went by so fast, so be present and enjoy each moment while you’re in it!

Next Steps: I am attending the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to pursue a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

One Last Thing: I’m incredibly grateful to God for blessing me with an unforgettable four years and an amazing support system—especially my family and friends who have supported me every step of the way.

Grace Kilgore

Hometown: Naperville, IL

Major: Nutrition, Community Nutrition

What You’ve Loved Most: The opportunities through this program have been so special. I loved working with Nourish Moves for my practicum and going to the farmers market each week! But most importantly, what I have loved most about UT has been the people I have met here. The Volunteer pride and spirit in this community is incredible.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Say “yes” to everything! And it is never to late to be more intentional with your time and relationships.

Next Steps: I am taking a gap year before pursuing medical school!

Molly Kate Merryman

Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN

Major: Elementary Education

What You’ve Loved Most: I have gained many valuable experiences through my placements at schools across Knoxville, which have prepared me to be an elementary school teacher!

Favorite UT Tradition: I have loved spending Saturdays in the fall cheering on the Vols in Neyland Stadium! There is nothing quite like the atmosphere and fans here!

Next Steps: Next year, I will attend grad school at UT while student teaching at an elementary school in Knoxville.

Isabella Reynolds

Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN

Major: Deaf Studies, Educational Interpreting

What You’ve Loved Most: Getting involved with the campus and Knoxville community! My program encourages us to attend local events and volunteer regularly, which has been very rewarding. I’ve loved the student organizations and events on campus where I’ve met so many wonderful people. The frequent free food is also a bonus!

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Go out and try new things. I know it may be scary, but all those anxious moments will pay off with fond memories and lasting connections.

Maxwell Riester

Hometown: Waynesville, NC

Major: Kinesiology

What You’ve Loved Most: I love UT because of its strong sense of community and family-like environment. From the moment I toured campus as an incoming freshman, I felt welcomed and supported. Since then, I have made incredible memories and built friendships that will last a lifetime.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Have fun! It can be easy to get caught up in exams and deadlines, but spending time with friends and enjoying life outside of academics is just as important. The last four years have gone by insanely fast, so make the most of the time you have here!

Next Steps: I will be attending the Quillen College of Medicine at ETSU.

Delaney Stone

Hometown: Cleveland, TN

Major: Audiology and Speech Pathology, Minor in American Sign Language

What You’ve Loved Most: What I love most about my program is the relationships I have made with my cohort and professors. I love how close knit we all are, and they make everyday enjoyable! The +1 year is not without its challenges, but it has been so much fun and I’ve loved every minute!

Favorite UT Tradition: My favorite UT tradition is the Band march at every UT football game. I love to cheer on the band and high-five Smokey with my family before we enter the game!

Next Steps: I will be pursuing my Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Abigail Welden

Hometown: Anderson County, TN

Major: Elementary Education

What You’ve Loved Most: I love the internship experience in CEHHS most! Interning during my senior year allowed me to learn from hands on experience and meet so many wonderful students!

Favorite UT Tradition: My favorite UT tradition is painting the rock!

Alexis Wirth

Hometown: Peoria, IL

Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management

What You’ve Loved Most: I really like a lot of the HTM faculty.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Keep going. Beautiful days and memories that you can only imagine right now are ahead of you.

Not Pictured:

Sydney Brooks
Major: Sport Management

Kaylie Emitt
Major: Elementary Education

Madison Fritts
Major: Elementary Education

Kate McCarville
Major: Therapeutic Recreation

Michayla Mears
Major: Nutrition, Dietetics

Charlotte Nance
Major: Education, Secondary Social Science

Anna O’Guin
Major: Elementary Education

Caroline Podvin
Major: Nutrition, Biomedical Nutrition Science

CEHHS Top Grads | Class of 2024

May 15, 2024 by Rebekah Goode

CEHHS Top Grads | Class of 2024

During the commencement season, the College of Education, Health & Human Sciences spotlights students who are graduating from our college with the highest cumulative GPAs in their class. Learn about the Class of 2024 Top Grads down below!

Congratulations, Vols! We are so excited to see where the future takes you.

Emily Archibald

Hometown: High Point, NC

Major: Audiology & Speech Pathology

What You’ve Loved Most: I love how close I was able to get to my audiology and speech pathology cohort! Having every class together senior year forced us all to become very close. They became my biggest motivators and support system through hard classes and grad school applications.

Favorite UT Tradition: Checkered Neyland Stadium!

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Soak in every moment and say yes to all positive opportunities because four years go by so quickly.

Next Steps: Attending the University of South Carolina to pursue my Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Tori Bateman

Hometown: Atoka, TN

Major: Child & Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Integrated Birth-Kindergarten

What You’ve Loved Most: The amazing, caring instructors and the ability to complete a teaching licensure program completely online.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Trust yourself and your abilities!

Next Steps: I have accepted a position as a Kindergarten Teacher with Tipton County Schools for the 2024-2025 school year.

Fun Fact: I am a Munford High School graduate. I maintained a full-time position as an Educational Assistant for Lauderdale County Schools while completing my bachelor’s degree, all while holding a perfect GPA.

Liza Burroughs

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

Major: Audiology & Speech Pathology

What You’ve Loved Most: My favorite thing about AUSP is the relationships I’ve been able to make with my professors. They are all such kind and intelligent people and have been such a great guidance to me throughout my academic career.

Next Steps: Starting to work on a doctorate of audiology at UT in the fall!

Rebekah Davis

Hometown: Fayettville, TN

Major: Special Education

What You’ve Loved Most: I love how welcoming the special education program is; my professors and classmates have made my college experience so enjoyable! I am excited to watch everyone in my cohort provide the best education for their future students with the guidance received from our professors.

Favorite UT Tradition:My favorite UT tradition is the checkerboard game at Neyland Stadium. The atmosphere is like no other, and it’s such a nice view to see our school colors represented around the stadium.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Become involved in clubs and events.

Next Steps: Following my graduation, I will be working towards my master’s degree in special education. I plan to graduate in May of 2025 and teach in a comprehensive development classroom.

Mikayla Hain

Hometown: Lovettsville, VA

Major: Elementary Education, K-5

What You’ve Loved Most: I love how my professors want us to succeed and will go above and beyond for their students.

Favorite UT Tradition: My favorite UT tradition is the checkerboarded football and basketball games.

Next Steps: I will be continuing my education here at UT to receive my master’s degree in elementary education.

McKenna Herrmann

Hometown: Bristol, TN

Major: Special Education

What You’ve Loved Most: I love my professors the most! My major has some of the most educated, knowledgeable, and supportive professors. I am so grateful that I have gotten the opportunity to work with and be educated by these amazing people.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Take advantage of all of the services and supports that UT and CEHSS have to offer. Lean on your professors and cohort. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or support!

Next Steps: I will be teaching in a satellite classroom at Halls High School, working with students in special education who need behavioral supports!

Makayla Kindle

Hometown: Greeneville, TN

Major: Child & Family Studies, PreK-3 Education

What You’ve Loved Most: I love all of the faculty and staff in the CEHHS! Everyone I’ve had the privilege of working with in the CEHHS has been so kind and patient, and genuinely cares about the success and well-being of the students.

Favorite UT Tradition: One of my favorite traditions is walking around the seal on Ped Walkway until graduation, as there is some superstition that walking across the seal before then would mean a delay in finishing your degree!

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Take a breath and believe in yourself! It probably feels impossible right now, but it will feel so rewarding later!

Next Steps: This summer I will be taking graduate-level classes in pursuit of my master’s, and will begin my student teaching internship this coming fall.

Abby McConnell

Hometown: Franklin, TN

Major: Child & Family Studies, Community Outreach

What You’ve Loved Most: My favorite thing about my program is the practicum! My placement gave me some of the best experiences, connected me with wonderful supervisors, and helped me find my passion. I’m so grateful for the experience and miss my placement site very much!

Favorite UT Tradition: My favorite UT tradition is checkering Neyland! It’s so fun to be a part of!

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Soak up every single second of being here! These four years have flown by and given me the best friends and memories.

Next Steps: I’m pursuing my master’s in Human Development Counseling on a school counseling and clinical mental health counseling dual track from Vanderbilt University.

Haitham Rghebi

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

Major: Kinesiology

What You’ve Loved Most: Something that I really love about the Kinesiology Department is how most professors made an effort to connect and engage with students like me. Along with helping me network throughout my undergraduate experience, it showed me how passionate they are about what they teach. It just made me more excited to learn and ask questions along the way.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: It’s crazy to think about all the personal and professional growth I underwent these past four years. Freshman Haitham would have never imagined how he’d get this far, but I would tell him to stay true to himself and enjoy the present moment. It’s not worth stressing yourself out over the unforeseeable future. With hard work, passion, and integrity, everything will fall into place as it’s meant to be.

Next Steps: Now I’m in the process of applying to medical schools, so that will definitely keep me busy over the coming months. Shortly after graduation, I’ll be traveling to Italy to shadow physicians as a way to continue immersing myself in the medical field and gaining a more world-minded approach to healthcare.

Ella Scott

Hometown: Decatur, TN

Major: Child & Family Studies, Community Outreach

What You’ve Loved Most: What I love most about CEHHS are the exceptional professors who serve as guiding lights for every student. Their dedication and expertise have deepened my understanding of child development and family dynamics. I am immensely grateful for their mentorship, which has ignited my passion and prepared me for making a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families, and my community.

Favorite UT Tradition: My favorite UT tradition is not stepping on the university’s seal! Legend has it that stepping on it can extend your time to graduation. It is a quirky tradition, but I find it rather fascinating!

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Balance is key! Make time for studying, but also for rest, hobbies, and socializing. Optimize time by prioritizing tasks and avoiding procrastination. Peak performance comes from a healthy mix of work and play!

Next Steps: Next up for me is attending graduate school right here at UT pursing my graduate studies in Human Development and Family Science. I am excited for the opportunity to dive deeper into my passion for understanding human development and relationships.

Payton Sowder

Hometown: Cleveland, TN

Major: Child & Family Studies, PreK-3 Education

What You’ve Loved Most: What I love the most about CEHHS is the community of professors and students who have a passion for teaching, working with children, and making an impact in education.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: You are capable of doing more than you think you can! Be organized and disciplined in school, but also prioritize time for yourself and enjoy your time on Rocky Top because it flies by!

Next Steps: I will be getting married at the end of May and then will begin the job-embedded program through Lee University to finish my teacher licensure requirements while working as a lead PreK teacher in Cleveland, TN.

Troy Wilson

Hometown: Robbins, TN

Major: Recreation & Sport Management

What You’ve Loved Most: The thing I love most about UT is the sense of belonging that I have found during my time here. The friendships and connections that I have made during my four years here will go with me forever.

Favorite UT Tradition: My favorite UT tradition is actually a newer one, that being the Fans Checker games. I remember seeing the first Checker Neyland game on TV, and it was surreal to not only be part of three during my time as a student but also to take part in multiple Checker TBA and a Checker Lindsey Nelson game.

Advice You’d Give to your Freshman Self: Go out and start meeting people now. You never know who that person sitting in the chair next to you in class is or who they will become. Some of my closest friendships at UT have started in my sports management classes.

Next Steps: I am going to pursue a career in intercollegiate athletics development with the goal of eventually becoming a Division I athletics director. I hope to begin that journey soon with a full-time position within the Tennessee Fund as a development assistant for internal operations.

Not Pictured:

Alice Bassett
Major: Kinesiology

Makayla Bollier
Major: Audiology & Speech Pathology

Kiersten Dutrow
Major: Special Education

Kiersten Griffith
Major: Kinesiology

Lindsay Holmstead
Major: Audiology & Speech Pathology

Melia McCarter
Major: Hospitality & Tourism Management

UT College of Education, Health and Human Sciences Receives $3.7 Million for Multi-Institution Special Education Doctoral Program

January 5, 2022 by Rebekah Goode

UT College of Education, Health and Human Sciences Receives $3.7 Million for Multi-Institution Special Education Doctoral Program

Preparing the next generation of special education teachers and researchers through a collaborative, multi-institution project

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — It’s not every day that faculty researchers have an opportunity to design and implement a project using the same grant competition that funded their own doctoral training. For Tara Moore, associate professor of special education in the Department of Theory & Practice in Teacher Education (TPTE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, this is becoming her reality.

Moore and colleagues, Zoi Traga-Philippakos, and Kristen Secora, will receive a $3.7 million grant from the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to provide doctoral-level training for future researchers and preparers of special education personnel. This project, Researching Interventions in Special Education (RISE) Scholars Network, is a collaboration between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and Texas A&M University.

Tara Moore longed for a career where she could connect with and give back to her community after completing her undergraduate studies in sociology at UT. She moved back to her hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee, and began working as a special education teacher in her home district. From there, she began her training to become a licensed special education teacher.

While teaching, Moore became especially interested in students who exhibited challenging behaviors and learning difficulties. She pursued graduate studies at Vanderbilt University where she learned more about how to serve and support these students.

“I went on to enter the Special Education PhD program at Vanderbilt, where I was funded by the same OSEP doctoral training grant competition as the one that is funding the RISE Scholars Network,” explained Moore.

“After completing my doctoral training, I was really lucky to be able to find a position at UT, a top tier university for teacher preparation, where I can continue to give back to communities, teachers, and students in my home state,” Moore continued, “I am thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to our PhD students here at UT.”

Kristen Secora, assistant professor of deaf education and special education in TPTE and a speech pathologist by training, expressed similar sentiments.

After working in the public school system to complete her national certification, Secora “realized that a lot was lacking from intervention practices in public schools related to developing and expanding language for kids.”

“I joined the faculty at UT to support current and pre-service educators with the training and resources they need in order to best support communication for their students,” shared Secora. “I love that I get to do that by investing in the next generation of educators and related service providers.”

The RISE project will provide support to twelve PhD candidates across the three universities. While the universities involved might seem random, they are actually the result of an intentional, coordinated effort by the partnering institutions.

Zoi Traga-Philippakos, associate professor of literacy education in TPTE, explained, “I was contacted by a colleague at the University of Nebraska who was instrumental in coordinating the collaboration across the three universities. The goal was to submit a leadership grant in true collaboration with the other faculty and institutions.”

During the RISE program, doctoral candidates will develop social and professional networks with students and faculty from the partnering institutions; learn from leaders in the field; and work collaboratively to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions designed to improve outcomes for students with disabilities and learning and behavioral difficulties. Perhaps what’s most unique about this project is that scholars and faculty will have opportunities to travel to the three partnering universities to foster cross-university collaboration and networking.

“When we were writing the proposal, my colleagues and I kept saying, ‘We want to be students in this program!’” Moore recounted, enthusiastically. “We are all very excited!”

In addition to the educational and professional supports, RISE will provide funding to the PhD candidates. Participating scholars could receive up to five years of funding totaling over $230,000, which will cover tuition, health insurance, travel expenses, dissertation support, technology needs, and an annual living stipend.

Ellen McIntyre, CEHHS dean, is equally excited about the launch of this groundbreaking project: “I am thrilled we are able to provide scholarships for doctoral candidates to get the very best training possible through these exceptional faculty members. They will prepare these new scholars with the best science and a focus on the needs kids, teachers, and schools will have in the future.”

For Traga-Philippakos, involvement in this project aligns beautifully with her personal mission and self-described “calling” in life.

Hailing from a family that values education and educators, “I loved reading and learning from a young age, and I think my calling was the world of education,” she recalled. “I have a strong belief in the power of education to be a source and force of change, and I strive, through my research, to create equal learning opportunities for all learners so that they can make choices.”

In her work at UT, Traga-Philippakos focuses on designing interventions and assessments and works directly with classroom teachers and students in research, evaluating such interventions and their professional development models. “Recently, I have added to my research interests teacher preparation programs and the ways we, as knowledgeable researchers and teaching faculty, prepare future teachers to support young learners in classrooms,” she explained.

It is undeniable that the RISE program will change lives, both of those participating in the program and of the students and communities they will serve. From this initial cohort of PhD candidates at the three partnering universities will grow a strong network of scholars that will change special education teacher preparation training as we know it. For now, we’re excited to see this groundbreaking project unfold.

“My first childhood dream was to be a scientist. I landed into the field of special education somewhat accidentally,” said Moore, “But having the opportunity to complete my graduate studies fully funded truly changed not only my career, but also my life in so many ways.”

“Now, as a faculty member in special education, my work is centered around my interests and my passions: I’m a scientist, I’m a teacher, I mentor students to conduct research, and I help to prepare and support teachers to use effective approaches to improve student outcomes. I am so happy to pass on this opportunity to the next generation of special education leaders!”

If you would like to learn more about the RISE Scholars Network or apply to the program, visit risescholarsnetwork.org.

To download a PDF about the RISE Scholars Network project, click here.

Food4VOLS Program Fights Food Insecurity on Rocky Top

September 27, 2021 by Rebekah Goode

Food4VOLS Program Fights Food Insecurity on Rocky Top

“No hunger. No waste.” These four words lead the charge for an exciting, new food recovery initiative on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus known as Food4VOLS.

Tyler White | Chef and Program Manager for the Culinary Institute

It all started during a meeting with Tyler White, chef and program manager for the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management’s Culinary Institute, and Jay Price, sustainability manager in the Office of Sustainability. The two recognized a distinct need at the university and a unique opportunity to address it. “At any given point during a semester one out of three students experiences food insecurity on college campuses,” explains White. At the same time, perfectly good, unused food has historically been discarded around our campus at profound rates.

Jay Price | Sustainability Manger in the Office of Sustainability

So, where to begin? Once the framework was developed for tackling food insecurity while simultaneously cutting down on food waste, White and Price teamed up with Vol Dining and the Office of the Dean of Students to organize the food recovery and distribution efforts. The food recovered from Vol Dining locations varies from fresh produce to cooked food that was prepared for distribution but never sold. Without the Food4VOLS recovery efforts, this food otherwise would have been thrown away.

According to White, “This initiative diverts upwards of ten tons (20,000 pounds) of food from being discarded on campus. Vol Dining employees are very excited about the program and have embraced the new recovery process. They are happy to see the food being used to feed those in need instead of going to waste.”

Here’s how the Food4VOLS process works:

First, food is recovered from various Vol Dining locations. The food then makes its way to the Culinary Institute, where volunteers and students, led by Tyler White, use the recovered food to build recipes and prepare nutritious meals. After everything is packaged and ready for distribution, the meals are delivered to the Big Orange Pantry, located on the ground floor of Greve Hall. Once at the BOP, students, faculty, and staff are able to pick up a tasty, ready-to-heat meal, along with any other food or supplies they may need, entirely free of charge.

The Food4VOLS meals and menu options are never set in stone because the ingredients are not known to the Culinary Institute until they receive the recovered food. So far, Food4VOLS meals have included: gumbo, eggplant lasagna, stuffed peppers, spaghetti, buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese, breakfast sandwiches, enchiladas, fried rice, salads, steak and rice bowls, and freshly baked bread. For White, there’s something exciting about building a recipe on the spot using only what is provided; it makes the food prep process especially creative and fun. Above all, he and his food prep team strive to offer variety in their meals while meeting the dietary needs of the students, faculty, and staff who will receive them.

Three images of Food4VOLS volunteers preparing food

Since its launch at the beginning of the Fall 2021 semester, food4VOLS has provided over 1,000 meals to those in need, while also diverting over 3,000 pounds of food from being discarded.

“The only drawback we are seeing is that the need for the program is larger than we anticipated,” said White. While initially planning to create twenty-five meals a day to distribute to the Big Orange Pantry, the Food4VOLS team has produced an average of seventy-five meals, often running out before the end of the day.

“We are spending more time preparing meals and spending more money on supplies than we initially intended,” White continues, “This is a good problem, in that we are helping more people with food insecurity, but at the same time, it is depleting our resources which forces us to fundraise to keep pace with the needs on campus.”

The good news is that there are ways to help Food4VOLS continue to grow at UT and keep fighting food insecurity in our campus community. First, individuals are invited to volunteer their time by signing up to prepare meals. Interested volunteers can sign up to serve through the Jones Center for Leadership and Service. Secondly, individuals can make a financial donation to the Food4VOLS Impact Fund, which allows the initiative to continue to thrive and bring on more volunteers to assist in food collection, meal production, and meal distribution.

“From a chef standpoint, I look forward to seeing what meals we will prepare and the difference we can make on campus addressing food insecurity. From a program standpoint, I hope to see the program capable of being able to prepare meals that can be distributed to others in the Knoxville area suffering from food insecurity,” said White. “The end goal Food4VOLS is to reduce food insecurity on our campus and create a template of the program that can be replicated on other college and university campuses across the US.”

If you would like to learn more about Food4VOLS, visit rhtm.utk.edu/food4vols or download a PDF infographic.

NSF Grant to Advance Racial Justice in Elementary Education Mathematics

July 1, 2021 by Rebekah Goode

NSF Grant to Advance Racial Justice in Elementary Education Mathematics

Black and Latinx parents in urban schools will lead change and advance racial justice in their children’s elementary mathematics classes with the help of a National Science Foundation-funded research project conducted by Frances Harper, assistant professor of STEM and Mathematics Education in the Department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education.

Harper, who was recently awarded a $697,306 CAREER grant for this project, explains, “Mathematics education research tells us a lot about how to support Black and Latinx children to become confident and capable learners and doers of mathematics. Unfortunately, the politics at play in urban schools and racial stereotypes about mathematics ability make it so that few Black and Latinx children ever have an opportunity to engage with mathematics through those research-based practices.”

Through critical, community-engaged scholarship and in collaboration with ten Black and Latinx families, ten teachers, and two community organizations, the research team will co-design and co-study two educational programs aimed at advancing racial justice in elementary mathematics.

While Black and Latinx families often persist in supporting their individual children, a shift toward collective organizing among parents as change agents in school mathematics is necessary for meeting the needs of every student. This project explores possibilities for localized change lead by parents. By making explicit how to foster and increase Black and Latinx parents’ engagement in solidarity with community organizations and teachers, this project could provide a model for other communities and schools seeking to advance racial justice in mathematics education.

“I’ve had an opportunity to work with some amazing teachers who are dedicated to making mathematics education more equitable in their classrooms, but the impact of teachers is limited,” said Harper. “I am very excited to work with another group of stakeholders who are passionate about supporting Black and Latinx children in elementary mathematics – the children’s parents and caregivers! Parents and caregivers are uniquely positioned to advocate for their children’s best interests and to demand school-wide reforms to encourage research-based practices.”

Here is how the project will work: The first program will seek to build parents’ capacity to catalyze change across classrooms and schools within their local communities; and the second program will provide teacher professional development that supports elementary teachers of mathematics to learn with and from Black and Latinx families. A mixed methods research design that utilizes narrative inquiry and social network analysis will facilitate refinement of the educational program models by addressing two research objectives: (1) to understand the lived experiences of Black and Latinx parents as they build capacity to lead change and (2) to study the development, nature, and impact of parent-teacher-community partnerships that promote a shared vision for racial justice in mathematics.

“By the end of the project,” explains Harper, “the goal is to bring together a dedicated group of teachers, parents and caregivers, and community partners who can lead change in the mathematics education of Black and Latinx children.”

$1 Million Grant Bringing Culturally Relevant Robotics to Two Knox County Schools

September 15, 2020 by Rebekah Goode

$1 Million Grant Bringing Culturally Relevant Robotics to Two Knox County Schools

Three faculty from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) were recently awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Computer Science for All program. This funding will bring Culturally Relevant Robotics to Fair Garden Preschool and Sam E. Hill Primary School in the Knoxville area. The research team is made up of Frances Harper, assistant professor in CEHHS’ Theory and Practice in Teacher Education, Lori Caudle, and Margaret Quinn, both assistant professors in CEHHS’ Child and Family Studies. Amir Sadovnik, assistant professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in UT’s Tickle College of Engineering, and Darelene Greene, preschool instructional coach for Knox County Schools, as well as community stakeholders, school administrators, preschool teachers, and Black and Latinx children and their families will help with the work of the grant.

Photos of Frances Harper, Lori Caudle, and Margaret Quinn

Through the Culturally Relevant Robotics Program, children from culturally and linguistically diverse groups will use robots and other digital technologies to support computer science learning in ways that build on home- and community-based resources and experiences. Families and teachers will work alongside the research team as they investigate the impact of the program on Black and Latinx children’s development of computational thinking and their sense of belonging in computer science. Although computational thinking is recognized as a critical, 21st century skill needed for academic and career success, little research has been done on the early access and socialization of computer science among young children from these demographics.

Children using a robot to navigate a gridded map of their community

Across the three years, the Culturally Relevant Robotics Program will positively impact hundreds of preschoolers, families, and preschool teachers in Lonsdale and East Knoxville communities. It will increase and improve the teaching of computer science in local, urban preschool and provide families and educators with teaching models that meet the specific needs of their diverse communities. Additionally, this project will improve preschool curriculum by highlighting the ways that intersectional identities, such as race, gender, and class, can impact how children view themselves within the world of computer science. Developing an interest in computer science and robotics for children at an early age could lead to an increase in computer science degrees and diversify the computer science workforce.