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.
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.
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