UT System Connect Newsletter

January 7, 2025

In This Email:
1. Latest News
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
3. Employee Spotlight

LATEST NEWS

The day we have been talking about and working toward for nearly five years has arrived! DASH, the UT System's new state-of-the-art enterprise resource planning platform, launched yesterday. This accomplishment represents the culmination of years of effort, collaboration and dedication. It was a tremendous effort and would not have been possible without the countless employees who worked so hard to make this historic milestone happen. 

As a reminder before you log in for the first time, please take a moment to review the tips and resources available on the Friends of DASH page. 

The State of the University Address, a panel moderated by University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd, will be streamed live to employees on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 12 to 1 p.m. CST on tennessee.edu. During the address, President Boyd will provide a comprehensive overview of the UT System's present state and future directions. More information will be sent out soon. 

Leadership Tennessee, a nonprofit committed to fostering nonpartisan conversations on key matters in our state, announced the 31 individuals chosen for the Leadership Tennessee NEXT program's 10th class. Among the 31 are two from the UT System: Luke Lybrand, treasurer (left), and Tim Sigler, assistant vice president of government relations and advocacy (right). 

Erin Crisp (left) has been named assistant vice president for learner success and workforce pathways, focusing on expanding accessible education, supporting adult learners and driving workforce-aligned initiatives. Kate Hall (right) has stepped into the role of director of the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center, building on her impactful work addressing teacher shortages and launching innovative apprenticeship programs.

Employee Appreciation Week is the first week in March, and we can't wait to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of all those who help the UT System achieve its mission. To ensure employees get the most out of this year's celebration, we're issuing this short survey to get your ideas on what makes you feel appreciated.

To continue efforts to establish a process in DASH for what is currently referred to as ledger reconciliation in IRIS, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer David Miller issued a university-wide exception to Fiscal Policy FI0115—Reconciling and Reviewing Department Ledgers, thus suspending it until further notice. 

On Monday, Jan. 27, all UT employees and students will receive a confidential survey from Gallup to gather feedback on free speech and viewpoint diversity across our campuses. Your input will help the University better understand these important issues. Your participation is encouraged — every voice matters.

This year, don't just resolve to be healthier - get paid with the Sharecare wellness program. Available to active higher education employees and their spouses enrolled in medical insurance with Partners for Health, Sharecare rewards users with cash incentives for completing activities like biometric screenings ($50) and annual physical exams ($25). 

The last month brought much fun and excitement across the UT System, including the UTSA holiday party, community volunteering events and multiple commencement ceremonies. Relive these moments and many more via our photo recap album.

Being an employee of the UT System comes with numerous perks, making it easy to lose track of them all. To help, each month we highlight a few perks we think you may enjoy. 

This month's incredible perk: 50% off camera systems plus two free months of professional monitoring from SimpliSafe.

SimpliSafe is an award-winning home security system offering a smarter way to protect your family and property without the headaches of the traditional security providers. It was named 'Best Overall Home Security of 2022' by U.S. News & World Report as well as 'Best of 2021' by PC Magazine, Popular Science and more.

To learn more about discounts available for UT System employees, visit  Employee Discounts.  

UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST

Start 2025 strong by joining your colleagues in the 2025 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon April 5–6 and compete in the Fittest Company Challenge!

You don’t need to run a full marathon to participate — there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s the 5K, a relay, walking or volunteering, every effort helps us rack up points toward victory. Make it a family affair! Immediate family members of employees can join in and contribute to our score too.

Perks for UTSA employees:

What is the Fittest Company Challenge?
It’s a fun, friendly competition between Knoxville businesses and organizations. Teams earn points for every mile completed or volunteer hour contributed. Running, walking or volunteering all count — no marathons required!

Sign Up Now
Lock in the lowest prices before Feb. 15 and be sure to click “Join a Corporate Team” when registering and select “University of Tennessee System.” Use the team password UTS2025 when prompted. Send any questions to Jason Moody.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Administrative Coordinator, Division of Academic Affairs

Nancy Dietrich joined the UT System team on Dec. 16. Dietrich holds several degrees with concentrations in education and has nearly 10 years of professional experience in higher education, including seven with UT System between 2015 and 2022. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, playing tennis, reading and hiking. 

Digital Content Strategist, Division of Communications and Marketing

Charles Julian Kemp joined the UT System team on Jan. 1. Kemp majored in communications at UT Chattanooga and has a cumulative seven years communications experience including time as a communications and marketing student worker at UT Southern and UT Chattanooga. A native of Memphis, he enjoys activities that allow him to express his creativity. 

The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service.