UT System Connect Newsletter

June 4, 2024

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

LATEST NEWS

The University of Tennessee System, along with our campuses and institutes, will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and the enslaved were free. Below is information about how to participate in a variety of celebrations and observances around Knoxville.

We are excited to share that new DASH town hall dates have been announced! Mark your calendars to join us for these important sessions as we learn together about how to prepare for our transition. Demonstrations, Q&A and key takeaways will be highlighted as we look ahead to go live in January.

Reporting: Thursday, Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. EDT
Training: Thursday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. EDT
Business Readiness: Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. EDT
What to Expect on Go-Live Day: Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. EST

Be on the lookout for more details to come and check the Friends of DASH website for updates and more detailed agendas!

Last month, 8,813 students graduated from all across the University of Tennessee System - a new record! One of those graduates was the UT System Administration's (UTSA) very own Chelsea Mongeon! Mongeon joined the UTSA team in April 2022 and currently serves as a senior human resources generalist, managing a broad range of systemwide administrative and strategic duties. Congratulations!

Congratulations are in order for two members of our Institutional Effectiveness (IE) Business Intelligence team! Rachel Borashko (top), Jake Hagenow (middle) and Nick Humesky (bottom) recently obtained their Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate certifications. The certification equips participants with the skills to plan, implement and manage a data analytics solution using Microsoft’s most cutting-edge software as a service platform. From preparing and cleaning data, to creating and implementing complex models, to exploring and analyzing data using a variety of tools, this certification positions the members of the Institutional Effectiveness Business Intelligence team to serve as an exemplar of best practices and as leaders among the many UT developers and consumers of data.

Did you know that more than 343 million people fell victim to cyber attacks last year? Or that data breaches rose by 72% between 2021 and 2023? Our data and digital services are at significant risk due to the vast amount of sensitive information stored digitally and shared on networked systems. So, what’s the solution? Being conscious and disciplined about cybersecurity and your digital habits. Thanks to the UT System’s Learning Management System, K@TE, staying current on your cybersecurity training is easy and convenient.

UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST

Join the UT System Institutional Effectiveness team July 9–11 for the 2024 IE Summit, where data practitioners across all UT campuses and institutes will explore the future of data-driven excellence. During a one-hour virtual session each day, participants will engage with colleagues through insightful sessions on AI technologies, data stewardship and the evaluation of our data dashboards. Don't miss this opportunity to shape the next chapter in supporting the UT mission through data—register now to be part of the conversation!

Join UT System President Randy Boyd for a Smokies baseball game on Friday, Aug. 23. Please mark the date on your calendars and keep an eye out for more information in your inbox!

Last month the Employee and Organizational Development team launched two resource groups in an effort to provide more support for UTSA staff. The Young Professionals of System (YPS) group aims to create an environment for young professionals to build relationships, share learning opportunities and explore what the UT System has to offer through meet-ups and online communication. If you are interested in or have questions about YPS, please contact Sarah Crichton.  There is also a Students of System (SOS) group for employees who are currently pursuing educational advancement. SOS aims to foster an environment where members can exchange resources, share experiences and receive encouragement. For more information or questions regarding SOS, please contact Alyssa Thom. 

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Financial Associate, Department of Technology Solutions

Allison Keasling joined the UT System on May 13. A Knoxville native, Keasling has a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University, is a certified administrative professional, and is a member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Keasling has experience in retail, radio and the mortgage industry. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with family and her dogs.

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.