UT System Connect Newsletter

September 3, 2024

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

LATEST NEWS

Open enrollment is just a few weeks away, meaning you'll have the opportunity to make changes to your benefits for 2025. There are multiple changes to health care coverage for state of Tennessee employees this coming year, highlighted in the upcoming issue of For Your Benefit. This issue will cover everything you need to know about open enrollment, ensuring you are equipped to make the best decision for you and your family. Look for it in your mailbox in the coming weeks. 

What does the University of Tennessee System have in common with the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Yankees? Like all those great teams, the UT System has completed a three-peat, earning its Great Place to Work®  Certification for the third consecutive year.   

The Great Place to Work Certification is determined by what current employees say about their experience working for the UT System. This year, 75% of employees rated the UT System as a great place to work— one point higher than last year and 18 points higher than the average U.S. company. Additionally, 83% of UT System employees said when they joined the University, they were made to feel welcome.   

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. 

The next DASH town hall will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 3 p.m. EDT. DASH training is a popular topic across the UT System, so this town hall will focus on training plans and opportunities and serve as the kick-off to the DASH training season. Participation is easy and accessible! No registration is needed, just visit the Friends of DASH website to access the link for the town hall. 

All employees should have received a copy of the UT Tower Emergency Response Guide. It is a resource for you to review to ensure you are prepared in the event of an emergency at UT Tower.  

The UT System Rave Safety App also contains important contact information, provides push notifications in the event of severe weather and allows you to notify friends, family or co-workers of your status. 

UT System leadership takes employee safety seriously. These resources will help ensure a safe working environment.   

If you have any emergency management or environmental health and safety related questions, please contact Mike Gregory at mike.gregory@tennessee.edu or 615-415-4747. 

Last month, University of Tennessee System Administration staff were treated to a Tennessee Smokies baseball game.  UTSA staff could bring their families to Smokies Stadium in Kodak and enjoy America's favorite pastime with good food and great company.  

There are countless perks to being an employee of the UT System. So many in fact, that it's probably difficult to keep track. That’s why we're highlighting a perk you might enjoy every month.  

This month's incredible perk: discounted tickets to Dollywood!  

Dollywood, Tennessee's number one ticketed attraction, is recognized as one of the world's best theme parks and as a state of Tennessee employee you are eligible for savings of up to $34 on adult admission.  

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

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel

Jared Garceau joined the UT System team on July 1. Garceau is a licensed attorney from Knoxville whose legal career includes nine years as a private attorney and one year as chief legal officer for a federal contractor based in Maryville. When not working, he enjoys running, cooking, reading and spending time outdoors.  

Accounts Receivable Specialist, Accounts Payable

Celia Husted joined the UT System team on July 1. Originally from Dallas, Georgia, Husted has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in business management from Shorter University. When not working, she enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors with her husband Gavin and their two dogs Aubie and Moonie. 

Staff Auditor, Audit and Compliance

Amy Loveday joined the UT System team on July 8. Loveday has a bachelor's degree in English literature and a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in business analytics, both from East Tennessee State University. The Knoxville native has seven years of professional experience as a loan processor and one year of experience as an internal auditor with a local credit union. When not working, Loveday enjoys reading, traveling, painting and spending time with her pets.  

DASH Business Analyst, Technology Solutions 

Wesley Barber joined the UT System team on Aug. 5. Originally from Memphis, Wesley attended UT Knoxville where he earned a bachelor's degree in information sciences. He is no stranger to UT System Administration, having previously interned with the Institutional Effectiveness team. When not working, Barber enjoys playing golf and soccer.  

Staff Auditor, Audit and Compliance

Nik Henegar joined the UT System team on Aug. 5. A UT Knoxville alumnus Henegar has both a bachelor's and master's degree in accounting. Prior to accepting his new role, he worked with Audit and Compliance as an intern. When not working, Henegar enjoys reading.  

Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs

Matt Matthews joined the UT System team on Aug. 19. Matthews is originally from Hertford, North Carolina, but is not new to the UT System; he has been at UT Chattanooga for the last 10 years where he served as the interim mathematics department head, the associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and vice provost of academic affairs. Matthews has a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, Master of Science in applied mathematics and a Ph.D. in applied mathematics, all from North Carolina State University. Outside of work he enjoys cooking, baking, reading, playing pinball and spending time with his wife and kids.  

HR Generalist, Human Resources

Ashton Holt-Thornton joined the UT System team on Aug. 26. A native of Newport, Holt-Thornton has a Bachelor of Science in human resources management from UT Knoxville and has held internships within the human resources field at Blackberry Farm and Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. When not working, he enjoys hiking, traveling, plants, animals, spending time with friends and meeting new people.  

DASH Business Analyst, Technology Solutions

Karen Barton joined the UT System team on Sept. 1. Originally from Levittown, Pennsylvania, Barton attended Neumann College where she received her Bachelor of Science in computer science and management information systems. She has over 20 years in mainframe programming and three years in cloud technologies. When not working, Barton enjoys fishing, walking, traveling and spending time with family.  

Executive Director of Access and Engagement, Academic Affairs, Research and Student Success

Jeffrey Danso joined the UT System team on Sept. 1. Originally from Worchester, Massachusetts, Danso has a Master of Art in higher education from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. He has over 10 years of experience working in higher education including time at the University of Ohio and the University of Florida. When not working, Danso enjoys watching, playing and coaching soccer; visiting theme parks with his family; exercising and training; biking; cooking and trying new restaurants.  

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.