Held at East Campus, the annual event brought together more than 80 athletes from across Giles County Schools and the surrounding community for track and field competitions. The games also included adult participants with intellectual disabilities, reinforcing the inclusive nature of the event and its reach across age groups.

Hosted in partnership with Special Olympics Tennessee Area 34, the Spring Games provided athletes the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, build confidence and compete in a supportive environment. Special Olympics offers year-round sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities, creating opportunities for physical fitness, leadership and community engagement.

“We are proud to host the Special Olympics at East Campus. These athletes are incredibly deserving of a day that celebrates their hard work,” said Dr. Claire Paul, program coordinator of special education and assistant professor in the Grissom School of Education. “It is meaningful to partner with Special Olympics and to create opportunities for our campus community to be part of that experience.”

The event was supported by volunteers from across the ������� campus and community, including faculty, staff, students and partner organization KBG. Volunteers assisted with event operations, athlete support and coordination throughout the day. 26 athletes will move on to the Tennessee Summer Games in Nashville in May.

������� continues to strengthen its connection to the region while supporting opportunities that promote inclusion, engagement and community impact though events like the .

Jessica Powers, EdD

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University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd visited the ������� campus on Wednesday, meeting with senior leadership and engaging with campus and community partners.

During his visit, Boyd emphasized the importance of workplace culture and campus safety, identifying both as top priorities across the UT System. Conversations throughout the day reflected strong Firehawk pride and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.

“Workplace culture and campus safety were the focus at ������� — top priorities across the UT System,” Boyd shared following the visit on X. “Conversations with the campus community reflected strong Firehawk pride and a commitment to continuous improvement.”

In addition to campus meetings, Boyd spent time in Pulaski connecting with regional partners and learning more about initiatives that are expanding opportunity across southern Middle Tennessee.

He visited the , where students and community members are supported through mentorship, resources and hands-on opportunities to bring ideas to life. Boyd also highlighted the university’s partnership with TCAT Pulaski, which is helping strengthen workforce pathways and support regional economic growth.

The visit highlights �������’s continued role as a driver of opportunity in the region and reflects ongoing alignment with UT System priorities which are focused on student success, community engagement and workforce development.

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Arnold officially assumed the role of chancellor on July 1, 2025, bringing decades of experience in higher education leadership and beyond. Her tenure comes at a pivotal time for �������, which joined the University of Tennessee System in 2021 and continues to expand its academic offerings and regional impact.

During the ceremony, UT System President Randy Boyd formally conferred the medallion of office, symbolizing Arnold’s authority, and responsibility as chancellor. Boyd emphasized the university’s growing importance as a driver of workforce development and opportunity in southern Middle Tennessee.

“Today isn’t the starting line. It’s a continuation of tremendous progress already in motion with strong leadership in place and a community fully invested,” said President Boyd.

In her remarks, Arnold highlighted student success, community engagement, and workforce alignment as central priorities for the university’s future. She pointed to the institution’s unique position as the only four-year and graduate institution serving a 13-county region near the Tennessee-Alabama border. Arnold also emphasized the importance of partnerships, noting collaborations with local employers, school systems, and community organizations as essential to advancing �������’s mission.

The ceremony included participation from university leadership, faculty representatives, and community partners, reflecting the broad support for Arnold’s vision. As ������� approaches its five-year anniversary as part of the UT System, the investiture underscored both the institution’s rapid progress and its ambitions for the future.

“Education is our most powerful force multiplier. It turns the spark of a single life into an unstoppable engine of progress that drives us all forward,” Arnold said. “At �������, we aren’t just teaching for today. We are investing in the leaders who will define our tomorrow.”

Jessica Powers, EdD

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The ������� has been selected by Lumina Foundation to participate in , a national initiative focused on strengthening career-connected learning and expanding high-impact practices that prepare students for the workforce. Only 16 institutions across the nation were selected.

This initiative reflects a broader trend across higher education that is placing greater emphasis on how academic experiences specifically translate into real-world skills and career outcomes. For ������� students, that means more intentional connections between coursework, hands-on learning, and employer expectations. 

As the work unfolds, our focus will remain clear: ensuring students graduate not only with a degree, but with the experiences and competencies needed to succeed in meaningful careers and contribute to the region’s workforce.

Read the full announcement here.

Jessica Powers, EdD

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Conrad is one of just 37 higher education leaders nationwide chosen to participate in the 2026 DCLI cohort, which brings together department chairs and academic leaders who play a critical role in advancing institutional mission, academic excellence, and student success.

The semester-long institute launched this week in Washington, D.C., with an intensive in-person convening focused on the evolving leadership demands facing higher education. Through a combination of peer learning, strategic skill-building, and national engagement, participants explore key topics such as aligning departmental goals with institutional strategy, navigating complex conversations, managing resources, supporting faculty success, and sustaining personal and professional well-being.

“Department chairs sit at the heart of academic operations,” said Charles L. Welch, president and CEO of AASCU. “Through DCLI, we are equipping leaders with the tools, perspective, and community they need to strengthen their departments and institutions”.

Conrad’s selection reflects �������’s continued investment in leadership development and academic excellence, as well as the university’s commitment to supporting faculty leaders who contribute meaningfully to student-centered learning and institutional growth.

The Department Chair Leadership Institute is made possible with support from Academic Search and is recognized nationally as a premier leadership development opportunity for academic leaders at public universities.

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PULASKI, Tenn. — The ������� has announced the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Fletcher as Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration, effective December 15, 2025. Dr. Fletcher’s appointment follows the announcement last week of Kyle Hensley as �������’s next Vice Chancellor for Advancement, marking continued momentum in building a strong executive leadership team for the university’s next chapter of growth and transformation.

A Proven Leader in Higher Education Finance and Operations

Dr. Fletcher brings more than 18 years of progressive experience across private accounting and higher education finance. She most recently served as Director of Budget and Financial Planning at East Tennessee State University, where she co-led the university’s annual budget planning process and contributed to several major cross-campus initiatives, including: university-wide budget model redesign; academic restructuring implementation; chart of accounts modernization; cloud-based ERP/Oracle implementation; strategic financial modeling for capital and operational investments.

She holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, with research focused on leadership preparation for administrative roles across the sector. Her career reflects a commitment to transparent budgeting, collaborative decision-making, and data-informed planning—all essential components of institutional resilience and long-term growth.

In her new role, Dr. Fletcher will oversee �������’s financial operations, budget strategy, facilities and capital priorities, and administrative services that support the university’s strategic plan.

A Strengthened Leadership Team for �������’s Next Chapter

Dr. Fletcher’s appointment comes alongside the recent addition of Kyle Hensley as Vice Chancellor for Advancement, announced last week by the University of Tennessee Foundation. Hensley’s role will focus on advancing philanthropic engagement, donor relations, and alumni partnerships in collaboration with UTFI.

The UTFI release announcing his appointment can be found .

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Women’s flag football is among the fastest-growing sports in the United States, and �������’s addition of the sport underscores the university’s commitment to providing innovative and inclusive athletic opportunities for students.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has partnered with NFL FLAG to expand women’s flag football nationwide, providing funding, training, and program support for member institutions. Beginning in Spring 2026, the NAIA will transition its women’s flag football postseason to a qualification-based invitational tournament. Through the NAIA–NFL FLAG partnership, participating schools gain access to high-quality coaching resources, equipment, and promotional tools to build successful, sustainable programs.

By joining NAIA-sanctioned competition, ������� athletes will have the opportunity to compete against top talent from across the country and showcase their skills on a national stage—enhancing both individual development and the university’s athletic reach.

As a proud member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), ������� will help expand women’s flag football within the region, joining Brewton-Parker Christian University (GA), Life University (GA), Point University (GA), and Thomas University (GA) in offering the sport.

The timing of �������’s announcement aligns with a pivotal development in Tennessee athletics: the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) voted in June 2025 to recognize women’s flag football as an official state championship sport. This milestone creates a clear pathway for female athletes to continue their participation at the collegiate level.

By introducing intercollegiate women’s flag football, ������� is uniquely positioned to recruit talented high school athletes from across Tennessee who are already competing in TSSAA programs. As the only University of Tennessee campus and just the second four-year institution in the state to offer the sport, ������� continues to lead the way in fostering opportunity, competition, and growth for student-athletes.

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PULASKI, Tenn. – Dr. Prentice Chandler, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Experience at the �������, has been selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to join the 2025 cohort of the Academy for New Provosts (ANP)—a prestigious national leadership development program designed for provosts serving at public colleges and universities across the country.

Now in its sixth year, the Academy for New Provosts brings together 26 higher education leaders for an intensive learning experience that combines in-person and virtual sessions. Participants gain strategies for addressing the complex and evolving responsibilities of today’s provost, including fostering academic innovation, aligning student success initiatives, and advancing institutional transformation.

Dr. Chandler, who joined ������� in November 2024, leads the university’s integrated division of Academic Affairs and Student Experience—a model that unites academics and student life around one shared goal: delivering an exceptional and personalized student experience. His participation in the AASCU program reflects �������’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and leadership development at every level.

“This recognition underscores both Dr. Chandler’s leadership and the strength of �������’s momentum as we continue to grow and evolve as Tennessee’s newest and most agile public university,” said Melinda Arnold, PhD., Chancellor of �������. “We are proud to see him represent our campus in this distinguished national cohort.”

The 2025 Academy for New Provosts convenes October 28–31 in Washington, D.C., with additional virtual programming throughout the year. For more information about the Academy for New Provosts and the 2025–2026 cohort, .

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October 22, 2025

PULASKI, Tenn. — University of Tennessee Southern Chancellor Melinda Arnold, PhD. delivered her first State of the University address on Wednesday, outlining a bold, future-focused framework that redefines how the university aligns its people, programs, and priorities around one shared goal: an exceptional student experience.

In her address, Arnold emphasized that the changes announced are not about structure for structure’s sake, but about building intentional alignment that connects every part of the university—from academics to operations—to strengthen communication, collaboration, and impact.

“We’re innovating not for novelty, but for alignment—with who we are and how we serve,” Arnold said. “This framework places the student experience at the center of all we do—ensuring that every decision, every division, and every investment directly supports student success.”

At the heart of the plan is a redesigned leadership and organizational model that positions UT Southern for sustainable growth and long-term impact. Key among the updates is the creation of Integrated Enrollment and Brand Strategy, a new division that unites recruitment, admissions, and marketing to expand enrollment and elevate the UT Southern brand. The university will also introduce a new Academic Affairs and Student Experience division, bringing academics and student life together under one umbrella to strengthen continuity and connection from classroom to career.

These efforts are guided by UT Southern’s first Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, developed in partnership with Huron Consulting Group and a cross-campus team. The plan centers on three pillars: marketing and recruitment, student success, and academic alignment with workforce demand.

“This is how transformation happens—not through isolated change, but through alignment,” Arnold said. “We’re creating a connected ecosystem that enables every member of this community to contribute to student success and institutional momentum.”

The address also previewed key investments in data infrastructure and scholarship expansion, new academic pathways in high-demand fields, and expanded community partnerships to advance access and workforce readiness across Southern Middle Tennessee.

Arnold concluded by reaffirming her commitment to transparency and shared governance, announcing a series of campus Town Halls beginning in November to engage faculty and staff in continued dialogue.

“UT Southern is writing its own playbook,” Arnold said. “We measure our success not by scale, but by impact—and by the lives we change through the power of a connected, student-centered university.”

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Pulaski, Tenn. – The ������� is excited about the launch of the NOVA Entrepreneur Center, expanding the university’s leadership in creating opportunity for Southern Middle Tennessee. Housed at Makeshift on the Square in downtown Pulaski, the center connects students and community entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and networks needed to turn ideas into action and fuel regional growth.

The NOVA Entrepreneur Center provides ������� students and community members with hands-on training, practical support, and collaborative opportunities designed to help bring new ventures to life. By strengthening the university’s role as a partner in economic development, the center creates new pathways for innovation that extend �������’s impact well beyond the classroom.

“This is a transformational moment for our campus and for the 13-county region we serve,” said ������� Chancellor Melinda Arnold, PhD. “The NOVA Entrepreneur Center reflects our deep commitment to expanding opportunity, building pathways for students, and fueling economic growth across Southern Middle Tennessee. By creating a centralized hub of innovation, we are empowering both students and community entrepreneurs to succeed—right here at home.”

The Center complements �������’s existing academic programs in business, management, and entrepreneurship while directly connecting with the region’s small business community. In addition to rigorous academics in the Johnston School of Business, students gain access to the , a regional hub for innovation and venture development that provides mentorship, resources, and opportunities to put ideas into action. This combination of classroom excellence, a culture of entrepreneurship, and a focus on lifelong growth prepares ������� graduates to lead with integrity and make a lasting impact in the global business world.

������� led the grant proposal effort that secured the funding and support to establish NOVA EC through a grant, underscoring the university’s leadership in building new opportunities for Southern Middle Tennessee. This success was made possible through the instrumental partnership of the UT Research Foundation, whose collaboration and support helped advance the proposal and bring the project to fruition in alignment with �������’s vision for regional innovation. The initiative reinforces �������’s mission to serve as a catalyst for community and economic vitality, in alignment with the UT System’s statewide vision for impact.

������� extends its appreciation to all involved in achieving this success. The NOVA Entrepreneur Center is established in collaboration with the , including �������, the , the , and the , whose collective expertise strengthens the center’s reach and impact across the region.

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