Hello! We are so excited to welcome you to the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach’s 5th Annual Engagement and Outreach Conference, “Community Engagement: Strategies, Solutions, and Impact.” You are joining more than 225 people that have registered for the conference, and both days of sessions are sure to inspire you!
We are especially excited to host this year’s conference as it is the first time in two years that this gathering has been in-person. Our speakers have been preparing and are ready to engage with you in more than 25 sessions.
Here are a few things to help you be prepared for your conference:
- Parking is available at the Vol Hall Parking Garage, 1545 White Avenue, Knoxville. Please get a ticket as you enter the garage, and pick up a parking voucher at the registration table. You will need your ticket and parking voucher as you exit the parking deck.
- A campus map is available here.
- The Student Union is located at 1502 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville.
- Mask wearing is optional, and we respect your personal decision.
Below you will find information about sessions, times, locations and speakers.
Monday, October 3:
Keynote Speaker
Gwen McKenzie was elected as City Councilwoman for the 6th District on November 7, 2017, and was sworn in on December 16, 2017. She was reelected in 2021 for another four-year term and sworn in on December 18, 2021.
She was selected as the first African-American Woman to serve as Vice Mayor in December 2019.McKenzie is a lifelong resident of the 6th District and has been active in the community for many years.
Workshops, Roundtables, Symposia, DAE Lightning Talks
Time |
Segment |
Room |
Speakers |
8:30 AM |
Welcome |
Student Union (SU) Ballroom |
Tyvi SmallJaviette SamuelMayor Indya KincannonMayor Glenn Jacobs |
9:00 AM |
Opening Plenary |
Student Union (SU) Ballroom |
Gwen Mckenzie |
9:30 AM |
Break |
||
9:40 AM |
Knowledge is Power: Using Participatory Action Research to Strengthen University-Community Engagement and Generate Problem-Solving Data |
SU 262A |
Stan Bowie |
9:40 AM |
Stop “Race-ing” Away Your Valued Relationships: Engaging Trust Conversations with Persons of Color |
SU 262B |
Amelia Hart |
9:40 AM |
Baggage Claim: Carrying Diversity Through Turbulent Times |
SU 262C |
Jeremy Kirk |
10:40 AM |
Break |
||
10:45 AM |
Navigating Challenges and Developing Solutions in University-High School Outreach |
SU 262A |
Kirsten Benson |
10:45 AM |
Gun Violence |
SU 362C |
Bob Kronick |
10:45 AM |
The Visions of Justice Practicum: An Interdisciplinary Collaboration |
SU 262 |
Wendy Bach |
10:45 AM |
Engaging with UT Part 1: Office of Community Engagement and Outreach, Jones Center for Leadership, Center for Career Development |
SU 362A |
Quannah WashingtonLaura KetolaMary Beth Woodward |
10:45 AM |
Youth Development Roundtable Part 1 |
SU 362B |
Justin Crowe |
11:45 AM |
Break |
||
11:50 AM |
Youth Development Round Table Part 2 |
SU 362B |
Justin Crowe |
11:50 AM |
Community Engagement, Education, and Ecosystem Empowerment in Forestry Programs |
SU 262A |
Mara Lind |
11:50 AM |
Teaching Tennesseans How to Live Well with Chronic Conditions |
SU 262B |
Jessica Taylor |
11:50 AM |
The Evolution of Engineering Outreach from Silos to Systems |
SU 262C |
Anne Skutnik |
11:50 AM |
UT-TSU Extension as the Vehicle for Engagement – Building Pathways to Serving More Diverse Audiences Statewide |
SU Ballroom B |
Eleanor Lopez |
11:50 AM |
Engaging with UT Part 2: Center for Global Engagement, Extension, and Africana Studies Abroad Program |
SU 362A |
Rachel RuiJanet FoxAmadou Sall |
12:10 PM |
Community Riparian Restoration Program for Tennessee |
SU 262A |
Madison Johnson |
12:10 PM |
University of Tennessee Extension and Community Partners Address Food Insecurity in a Rural Tennessee County During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
SU 262B |
Kristen Johnson |
12:10 PM |
Tennessee Smart Yards |
SU 262C |
Andrea Ludwig |
12:30 PM |
Lunch and Networking |
||
1:00 PM |
Poster Session |
SU 270 |
UT Undergraduate and Graduate Students |
1:00 PM |
Let’s Interest Kids in Engineering Subscriptions Boxes |
SU Ballroom A |
Laura Knight |
1:05 PM |
An Alumni Mentorship Program for Underrepresented Minority Nursing Students |
SU Ballroom A |
Kimberly Brown |
1:10 PM |
Know Your Value/s: Strategies for Success for Scholars of Color |
SU Ballroom A |
Katherine Chiles |
1:15 PM |
Ijams Nature Center Community Weaving Project |
SU Ballroom A |
Stefanie Benjamin |
1:20 PM |
Hispanic Film Festival |
SU Ballroom A |
Betsabe Navarro |
1:25 PM |
Navigating the (In)Accessible: CEHHS DEI Summit |
SU Ballroom A |
Dorian McCoy |
1:30 PM |
Deaf Night at the Theatre |
SU Ballroom A |
Hana Sherman |
1:35 PM |
UTK, TSU, Fisk University Art Student Exchange and Group Exhibition |
SU Ballroom A |
Althea Murphy-Price |
1:40 PM |
STEM Reading Design Challenge at Willow Brook Elementary School |
SU Ballroom A |
Thura Mack |
1:45 PM |
Tell Our Story: Knoxville Asian Immigrant Stories |
SU Ballroom A |
Rachel Rui |
1:50 PM |
Access & Achievement |
SU Ballroom A |
Nora Vines |
1:55 PM |
Austin-East Literary Arts Explosion |
SU Ballroom A |
Misty Anderson |
2:00 PM |
Thank You and Wrap Up |
SU Ballroom A |
Javiette Samuel |
Concurrent Sessions and Speakers
Concurrent sessions are 25 minutes each and present research and engagement surrounding civic and community engagement, regional engagement, international engagement, and scaling community engagement.
Stan Bowie Dr. Stan L. Bowie has been a social worker for 46 years and has been on the faculty of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Social Work for the past 23 years. Dr. Bowie teaches courses in community organization, organizational management and leadership, research methods, and social welfare policy in undergraduate and graduate programs. Link to full bio Amelia Hart lectures in the Department of Accounting and Information Management. Her experience in accounting spans both the academic and professional arenas. Within the academy, Dr. Hart has over 15 years of experience at private and public universities in roles that include lecturer, assistant professor, and associate professor. Within the profession, Hart has served in such roles as management consultant and controller and has worked in both public and private accounting. Link to full bio Jeremy Kirk Jeremy Kirk is the Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee. Kirk is integral to the College regarding its goals of developing a more welcoming and inclusive campus climate; attracting and retaining students, faculty, and staff from historically underrepresented backgrounds; and building stronger relations with community stakeholders throughout Tennessee. Link to full bio Kirsten Benson Kirsten Benson is the Director of the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center. Her research focuses include writing studies, writing program administration, and writing center theory and practice. She teaches courses in qualitative research methods in composition studies, composition pedagogy, public writing, and persuasive writing. Link to website Bob Kronick Robert Kronick is a professor of educational psychology and counseling. He is best known for bringing health, community, and social services to children within their elementary schools through the University Assisted Community Schools program. Link to full bio Wendy Bach has been a Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee College since 2010. Her work is nationally recognized in both clinical legal education and poverty law. Professor Bach has dedicated her career to representing children and families in poor communities in a variety of legal settings. Her scholarship focuses on the interaction between systems of support and care and systems of punishment in poor communities. Link to full bio Mara Lind Mara Lind is an Urban Forestry Major at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She is passionate about creating environmental change for future generations and believes the key to invoking this same passion in others lies in the communication of issues. She has always had an interest in writing and wants to ground this interest in science journalism, bridging the gap between scientists and citizens. Link to full bio Jessica E. Taylor Anne Skutnik Anne Skutnik is the Engagement and Outreach Coordinator with the Academic and Student Affairs office in the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. She also serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator at CURENT, an engineering research center located in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Tennessee. Link to staff spotlight Eleanor Lopez Dr. Eleanor Lopez is a Plant Pathogen and Insect Diagnostician at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Lopez earned her Doctor of Plant Medicine from the University of Florida, an innovative degree program that combines efforts of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Nematology, and Agronomy departments. Link to website Madison Johnson Kristen Johnson Dr. Kristen Johnson has been an Assistant Professor and Nutrition Specialist with the University of Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Department since 2017. Dr. Johnson is a registered dietitian and has a doctorate in Foods and Nutrition and a Certificate of Gerontology from the University of Georgia. Link to full bio Andrea Ludwig Andrea Ludwig is an Associate Professor for Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science. She focuses on stormwater management, urban waters, stream and wetland Restoration, sustainable landscaping, and ecological engineering. Link to full bio Althea Murphy-Price is a Professor in the School of Art in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. She has earned her Master of Arts in Printmaking and Painting from Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana and also her Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Murphy-Price’s interests in hair texture, style, color, and its cultural associations have influenced her interest in the elaborate decoration of form and space. She has described her creative process parallels an approach to styling hair. Link to full bio Kimberly Brown Kimberly Brown is a clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing. Brown is a leader in the College of Nursing and demonstrates success in implementing DEI-focused initiatives in numerous courses in the undergraduate nursing program. This past May, Brown was named the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She is a first-generation African American college graduate from a rural community in East Tennessee. Kimberly Brown has earned her BSN from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, her MSN from King University, and her DNP with a specialization in Administration from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Link to website Katherine Chiles Katy Chiles teaches and writes about African American and Native American literature, early American literature and culture, critical race theory, and print cultures. Affiliated with the Africana Studies program, Professor Chiles teaches courses such as Major Black Writers, the Antebellum Black Atlantic, Black American Literature and Aesthetics, and Critical Race Theory. Link to staff spotlight Wendy Bach has been a Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee College since 2010. Her work is nationally recognized in both clinical legal education and poverty law. Professor Bach has dedicated her career to representing children and families in poor communities in a variety of legal settings. Her scholarship focuses on the interaction between systems of support and care and systems of punishment in poor communities. Link to full bio Michelle Christian Michelle Chrisitan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Her research focuses on understanding how racial inequality occurs within the global political economy. Christian has conducted field research in Kenya, Uganda, Costa Rica, and the US, and oversaw research in South Africa, Indonesia, China, and India as part of a collaborative international and interdisciplinary research project. Link to full bio Stefanie Benjamin Stefanie Benjamin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism at the University of Tennessee. Her research aligns within the nexus of social equity and critical tourism scholarship exploring marginalized populations’ lived experiences and counter narratives. Benjamin is interested in amplifying underrepresented voices within the tourism landscape through practice, research, and education. Link to full bio Betsabe Navarro Dr. Betsabé Navarro is a senior lecturer of Spanish at the University of Tennessee. She studied English at the University of Granada, earned her Master’s degree on Pedagogy of Teaching English as a Foreign Language at the University of Alcalá de Henares, and completed her Ph.D. in English Studies (Literature and Cultural Studies) at the University of Santiago de Compostela. Link to full bio Camille Hall Dr. J. Camille Hall is a Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Social Work and is the Associate Dean for Equity & Inclusion at the College. Hall received both her Bachelor of Social Work and Masters of Social Work degree from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Dr. Hall received her PhD from Smith College, in Northampton, Massachusetts. Prior to joining the faculty, Dr. Hall served as BSW Program Director at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. Link to full bio Dorian L. McCoy Dr. Dorian L. McCoy is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, at the University of Tennessee. He is also an Associate Professor of Higher Education and also serves as an Associate Department Head in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Dr. McCoy received his PhD in Educational Leadership and Research from Louisiana State University and A&M College, his Master of Education (Higher Education – College Student Personnel) from the University of Arkansas, and his Bachelor of Business Administration – Management from Henderson State University. Link to full bio Laura Knight Laura Knight is an Assistant Professor of practice in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and an advocate for expanding the numbers of future industrial engineers through education and community outreach. Collaborating across communities, industries, and academic disciplines is a vital part of her endeavors and success. Link to full bio Thura Mack Thura Mack is a coordinator of Community Learning Services and Diversity Programs at the University of Tennessee. She leads the Libraries’ outreach to schools in Knoxville and the surrounding community. Thura holds a bachelor’s degree from Knoxville College and a master’s in library science from the University of Tennessee. Link to full bio Rachel Rui Rachel Rui is both the Communications Director and the Director of the Office of Asian Engagement in the Center for Global Engagement. As the Communications Director, her responsibilities include strategic planning and execution of communication strategies to build a global brand for UT and providing services to CGE units for their communication needs. Her work at the Office of Asian Engagement focuses on building and maintaining partnerships in Asia, promoting cultural diversity, increasing students and faculty’s mobility, and improving community outreach. Rui obtained both her Master’s and PhD degrees in Communication and Information from the University of Tennessee. Link to full bio Nora Vines Nora Vines is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Child and Family Studies Department. Nora is passionate about early childhood education, specifically supporting teachers in realizing their own expertise while growing their capacity for literacy knowledge. Her areas of interest and expertise include early literacy acquisition, orthographic knowledge development, and responsive literacy-focused professional development. Link to full bio Manasi Apte Manasi is a trained scientist and science communicator with an expertise in creating & delivering content across various platforms. She strives to harness the awesome power of “stories” (amongst many other tools) to make science approachable, accessible, & understood by everyone. Manasi enjoys collaborating and sustaining relationships across disciplines to create meaningful learning and engagement experiences for all. Link to LinkedIn Misty Anderson Misty G. Anderson is a Professor of English, the James R. Cox Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, and holds courtesy appointments as an Adjunct Professor in both the Theater and Religious Studies departments at the University of Tennessee. Professor Anderson has earned her BA from Yale University and her MA and PhD from Vanderbilt University. Link to full bio Leticia Flores Leticia Flores is the Director of the UT Psychological Clinic. She also serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. She specializes in working with late adolescents and adults regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Dr. Flores received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and completed a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle. Link to full bio Hana Sherman Hana Sherman is a Grants, Education and Outreach Manager at Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville. Hana graduated with honors from New York University with a BFA in Theatre and also earned her MBA in 2020 from the Professional MBA program at the University of Tennessee. Link to full bio Heather Hall Heather Hall is the Career Coach for Inclusion Initiatives. In this role, she leads outreach to inclusive scholar organizations, classes, and campus units and provides identity-specific career development programs and services focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Heather also connects employers who practice inclusive hiring practices to scholars and the campus community. She serves on the SafeZone Facilitation Team in partnership with the Pride Center. Heather has earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Link to full bioWorkshops
Associate Professor
Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and InclusionRoundtables and Panels
Director, Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center
Professor of Educational Psychology and Counseling
Symposia
Student
Community Health Specialist, Arthritis Education Program Coordinator
Director of Student Success, Tickle College of Engineering
Executive Director, Asian Cultural Center
Student
Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences
Associate Professor
Division of Access and Engagement Speakers
Clincial Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
Associate Professor, Sociology
Associate Professor, Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism
Senior Lecturer of Spanish
Professor, Social Work
Associate Professor, Higher Education
Assistant Professor of Practice and Outreach & Engagement Coordinator
Professor & Coordinator of Community Learning Services & Diversity Programs, UT Libraries
Director & Director of Communications, Office of Asia Engagement
Clinical Associate Professor, Child & Family Studies
Post Doctoral Researcher
Professor of English & Adjunct Professor of Theatre and Religious Studies
Director of UT Psychological Clinic
Grants, Education and Outreach Manager
Career Coach for Inclusive Initiatives
Tuesday, October 4:
Seeking Partnerships for Research Knowledge and Science: Working with Families Experiencing Economic Hardships
Time |
Segment |
Room |
Speakers |
9:00 AM |
Opening Remarks |
Student Union Ballroom |
Javiette Samuel |
9:10 AM |
Presentations |
Student Union Ballroom |
Various UT Faculty and Community Leaders |
12:00 PM |
Lunch and Learn |
SU 169 |
Eboni Winford |
Event Speakers – Various UT Faculty and Community Leaders
Seeking Partnerships for Research, Knowledge, and Science (SPARKS) events pursue new research partnerships among UT Knoxville and UTIA faculty. The goal is to bring together more disciplines, focused on a common interest or research opportunity. SPARKS: Working with Families Experiencing Economic Hardships will be bringing together researchers and community partners to discuss families, health, equity, and socioeconomic disparities and obstacles.
Eboni Winford is a professor in the Psychology department at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In the Lunch and Learn session, Winford will present health equity as a framework for conducting studies involved with people with identities historically harmed by research initiatives. Participants will leave with recommended practices and guidance on ways to engage with community partners with diversity, equity and inclusion in mind.
Engagement & Outreach Week Events
Oct 3 |
8:00 AM |
Vital Leadership 2 |
Conference Building |
Oct 3 |
9:00 AM |
The Spirit of Día de los Muertos |
McClung Museum |
Oct 4 |
3:00 PM |
CURED (2020) Screening |
TBD |
Oct 4 |
7:30 PM |
Concert & Symphonic Bands |
Alumni Memorial Building |
Oct 5 |
9:00 AM |
2022 Artist in Residence Biennial |
Downtown Gallery |
Questions? Email communityengagement@utk.edu.