The agreements create a more seamless transition for Columbia State students pursuing bachelor’s degrees while reinforcing a shared commitment to student success, workforce development, and regional collaboration across Southern Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama.

Through the co-admission partnership, eligible students will receive coordinated advising and degree planning support from both institutions, helping them navigate a clearly defined pathway from associate degree completion to enrollment at �������. Students participating in the program are guaranteed admission to ������� upon completion of their degree at Columbia State, provided they meet program requirements

“Co-admission sends a clear message to students: your educational journey does not stop after earning an associate degree,” said Dr. Prentice Chandler, ������� Provost. “This partnership creates a pathway intentionally designed to support student success and help students continue building toward their academic and professional goals. We are proud to strengthen that pathway alongside Columbia State.”

As part of the transfer agreement, students will benefit from coordinated advising between both institutions and priority registration opportunities at ������� during the semester they graduate from Columbia State.

In addition to the student-focused agreements, the institutions also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand professional development opportunities for employees of both institutions. The partnership includes two educational support opportunities for Columbia State employees pursuing a degree at �������: the First Flight Scholarship, which provides three free credit hours during the first semester of enrollment, and the University Partnership Scholarship, which provides a 25% tuition discount.

“We want Columbia State faculty and staff to know that if beginning or completing a degree is part of their personal or professional goals, ������� is here to support them,” said Melinda S. Arnold, PhD, ������� Chancellor. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to investing in people, strengthening our region, and creating opportunities that positively impact students, employees, and communities alike.”

The agreements further expand collaboration opportunities between faculty and staff at both institutions while supporting broader workforce and educational needs throughout the region.

“This partnership represents the continued evolution of a long-standing relationship between our institutions,” Arnold said. “Together, we are building stronger pathways for students, expanding opportunities for continued learning, and reinforcing the important role higher education plays in changing lives and strengthening communities.”

The agreements were developed collaboratively by leaders from both institutions following months of planning and coordination focused on improving student access, transfer experience, and educational opportunity throughout the region.

Columbia State and ������� leaders pictured (left to right): Dr. Denise Carr, Columbia State vice president for Academic Affairs; Cissy Holt, Columbia State vice president for Student Affairs; Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president; Dr. Melinda Arnold, ������� chancellor; and Dr. Prentice Chandler, ������� provost.

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The ceremony, held outdoors on the historic Campus Green, represented the campus’s 156th commencement and the fifth since joining the University of Tennessee System. Under clear skies and in front of proud families, friends, faculty, and staff, graduates crossed the stage in a setting that reflected both the university’s rich heritage and its forward momentum.

This year’s ceremony also marked a meaningful milestone for campus leadership, as it was the first commencement presided over by Chancellor Melinda S. Arnold, PhD.

“This day represents the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and commitment from our students,” said Arnold. “We are proud to celebrate each graduate and the impact they are prepared to make in their communities and careers.”

Degrees awarded included 153 Bachelor of Science, 36 Bachelor of Business Administration, 15 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 20 Master of Business Administration, 7 Master of Science, and 5 Bachelor of Arts degrees, spanning a wide range of academic disciplines.

The Class of 2026 reflects the strength and diversity of �������’s academic programs, with graduates representing fields such as education, business, nursing, and the sciences. Notably, 58 graduates hailed from Giles County, underscoring the university’s continued commitment to serving its local community.

Regional impact was also evident, with 34 graduates from Lawrence County and 23 from Maury County.

As graduates turned their tassels and joined the ranks of , the ceremony stood as both a celebration of individual achievement and a reflection of the university’s continued growth and momentum.

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The two-day conference will welcome more than 40 participants from across Tennessee and Alabama, including ������� faculty and students, as well as middle school, high school, and postsecondary educators. The event reflects �������’s continued focus on connecting academic experience with real-world application and preparing students for a rapidly evolving landscape.

“This conference reflects the kind of work we are committed to doing at �������,” said Chancellor Melinda S. Arnold, PhD. “We are creating opportunities for students and educators to engage with new ideas, learn from one another, and better understand how tools like AI are already shaping the world around us.”

The conference will feature 13 presenters and volunteers and will include dedicated tracks for both educators and students. Sessions will highlight practical applications of AI in classrooms—particularly in math and science—while also exploring broader implications for the future of education and workforce development.

The event is supported through a collaborative network of partners, including , which is providing sponsorship to support participant experience, as well as academic partners from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Moraine Valley Community College. Both institutions bring specialized expertise through grant-funded initiatives focused on advancing AI education and educator pathways.

Dr. Prentice T. Chandler, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Experience, will open the conference with remarks highlighting the importance of integrating emerging technologies into education across the region.

“AI is not a future concept—it is already influencing how we teach, learn, and prepare students,” said Chandler. “Bringing together educators and partners in this way allows us to share ideas, build capacity, and ensure our students are equipped for what comes next.”

In addition to faculty and educators, ������� students will participate in the conference, gaining exposure to AI tools and concepts that align with their academic and career interests.

The conference also reflects �������’s role as a convener within the Southern Middle Tennessee corridor, bringing together partners across education and industry to expand opportunities and strengthen pathways for students.

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A total of 234 students are expected to receive degrees, representing a wide range of academic programs across the university. 

The Class of 2026 highlights the variety of �������’s academic offerings, with more than 150 students earning Bachelor of Science degrees across disciplines including elementary education, behavioral sciences, biology and kinesiology. The university will also award graduate-level degrees, including 20 Master of Business Administration degrees and seven Master of Science degrees.

Of the graduating class, 58 students are from Giles County, underscoring the university’s continued role in serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing graduates for careers in the region.

For student body president Kaitlyn Leigh Scroggins, commencement marks both a personal milestone and an opportunity to represent her classmates.

“It is an honor to speak as the student voice at commencement, and it has been an honor to be the student voice this semester,” Scroggins said. “My time at ������� has been rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed my four years at this university, and every student holds a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to stand with everyone one last time as we finish strong together.”

Scroggins, a biology major from Ardmore, Tennessee, plans to apply to veterinary school after a gap year.

Commencement will begin at 10 a.m. and is open to family members, friends and the community. It will include traditional elements such as the academic procession, invocation and musical performances, along with remarks from university leadership and student representatives. The full program is available on the commencement webpage.

In the event of inclement weather, commencement will relocate inside the Curry Athletic Center and take place in two separate ceremonies at 10 AM and 1 PM. The ceremony will be available via

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Kenneth W. Vickers, Ph.D., professor of history and chair of the School of Social Sciences, opened the ceremony with welcome remarks, followed by greetings from Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Prentice Chandler. Faculty members from across the school presented awards to students who demonstrated exceptional performance in their respective disciplines:

The William E. Rutherford History Award was presented to Emma Grace Eubank by W. Cochran Pruett, instructor of history.

Richard Schoeberl, Ph.D., program chair and director of graduate studies for criminology and homeland security, presented the Stanley E. Newton Award for Academic Excellence to Kacey Lee Torrence. He also presented the Shelton-Roberts Award for Moral Courage in Criminal Justice to Avery Faith Keenon.

The Dr. James Cooper Award for the Advancement of Social Work was presented to Elijah Reese Mashburn by Alicia Webb, Ph.D., associate professor of behavioral science. Webb also presented the Behavioral Sciences Award in Human Services to Holli Brooke Loveless and the Behavioral Sciences Award in Psychology to Emily Grace Hovis.

The ceremony also included an Alpha Chi presentation led by Jennifer Aust, Ph.D., recognizing academic excellence among top students. The annual event is held each spring to recognize student achievement and celebrate academic excellence. The School of Social Sciences prepares students for careers in fields including criminal justice, social work, behavioral science and related disciplines, with a focus on academic rigor and real-world application.

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The School of Social Sciences hosted its annual Awards Day ceremony April 17 in Gault Auditorium, recognizing students for academic excellence across multiple disciplines.

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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 .

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The Rural Disability Resource Network Rural Disability Mini-Conference brought together campus and community stakeholders for a half-day of learning, connection and practical strategy sharing. The event highlighted �������’s role as a convener for regional impact, linking education, workforce readiness and community-based support.

The Rural Disability Resource Network, a UT System–wide collaboration, is focused on increasing awareness of and access to services for families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in rural Tennessee. The network brings together partners across multiple UT campuses, state agencies and nonprofit organizations to better connect resources, identify gaps and develop solutions that support long-term success.

The conference featured a keynote from disability advocate Madelyn “Midge” Smith, who shared insights on building stronger, more inclusive communities through collaboration and authentic partnership. Smith, who leads community and partnerships for the Wable app, emphasized the importance of visibility, connection and sustained advocacy in rural spaces.

Attendees participated in breakout sessions led by state and regional experts, covering topics including dyslexia and structured literacy, multi-tiered systems of support and behavior strategies, postsecondary transition, family engagement and community-based programming. Sessions focused on evidence-based approaches designed to equip educators and families with tools they can immediately apply.

In addition to professional development, the conference created opportunities for direct connection with organizations providing critical disability resources across Tennessee. Supported in part by the Grand Challenges Grant Program, the network is also working to expand access to information, develop distributable resource materials and host additional workshops to support families as students transition into adulthood.

The day’s focus on connection and access continued into the evening with �������’s annual F.I.R.E. Resource Fair, held at the Curry Athletic Center. The event featured more than 40 agencies and organizations offering services, support and career opportunities for students across disciplines. Together, the conference and resource fair reinforced �������’s commitment to building stronger communities, expanding access to opportunity and supporting individuals and families across southern Middle Tennessee.

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We are pleased to confirm that the ������� Commencement Ceremony will take place on the Campus Green as planned. Thank you for your patience as we monitored the weather conditions this week.

For your added convenience, the ceremony will also be streamed live on the ������� Roku app and our  channel. We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you, in just a few short hours!

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