The Office of Community Engagement and Outreach hosted its 7th Annual Engagement and Outreach Conference October 1-2. This year's theme was “Advancing the Modern-Land Grant Mission: UTK's Response to Grand Challenges, Complex Problems, and Broader Impacts." Henry Taylor, Jr was the keynote speaker.

While many exemplary proposals were submitted, the following individuals exemplified research, relevance, reciprocity, and engagement that is sure to have significant impact. The Division of Access & Engagement congratulates the following PIs and Co-PIs on securing FY25 funding.

Five years before Ruby Bridges, two years before the Little Rock Nine, and one year before the Clinton 12, 85 Black students from the Scarboro community walked into two then all-white schools - Oak Ridge High School and Robertsville Junior High School - and bravely broke the color barrier in our public schools. On October 3, as part of the 7th Annual Engagement and Outreach Week, four of those courageous individuals shared their stories with members of the UTK campus in Fred Brown Hall. 

Earlier this year, Congress honored the Scarboro 85 with a resolution presented by Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. Read the press release here. 

On October 3, the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach facilitated a campus visit for 41 young scholars from Real Talk Mentoring, Inc. Students from Vine Middle Magnet and Maynard Elementary School toured campus, exploring prominent landmarks while also engaging in presentations at Hodges Library. The visit culminated with an exclusive tour of the Thompson Bowling Arena and Pratt Pavilion, providing students with an enriching and immersive experience.

Erin Darby, an engaged scholar and associate professor, was recently selected as one of the inaugural Athletics Professors of Excellence Award. Serving at UTK since 2011, her work stands at the intersection of history, art history, archeology, Jewish Studies, and Middle East Studies. She is an active field archaeologist and the co-director of the ‘Ayn Gharandal Archaeological Project (AGAP), an international excavation team uncovering a Roman military site in southern Jordan. Since 2013, the AGAP-affiliated Dig Jordan Study Abroad Program has brought scores of students to Jordan, working with the Center for Global Engagement to become the first UT faculty-led study abroad program to the Middle East. With the support of the Division of Access and Engagement, beginning in summer 2023, Darby has led a department project team working with Knox County Schools (KCS) to create teacher support materials for sixth and seventh grade Social Studies teachers. 

The awards, which are funded by Athletics and come with a $12,000 honorarium, recognize professional excellence and outstanding university citizenship at the departmental, college, or university levels. The Office of Community Engagement and Outreach would like to thank the Faculty Senate for their advocacy and partnership with the Provost and the Athletics Department to create this recognition of outstanding, engaged faculty. 

In 2022, UTK committed $50 million over five years to recruit top-tier faculty in seven cluster initiatives. Each cluster will work across disciplines to pursue research and scholarship goals that are impossible to realize alone. Together, they will build boundary-breaking research programs and develop innovative curricula to prepare students for emerging careers.

With the first hires joining UT this year, the cluster initiatives will begin to leverage shared momentum, cutting-edge facilities and unique partnerships to create real-world impact. UT is excited to welcome them to our community and see what they will achieve together.

Over the previous year, a task force consisting of community members, engaged scholars, and staff from UTK has collaborated to enhance the process of engaged research and derive insights from exemplary methodologies. As a result of these endeavors, individuals with an interest in this field, engaged scholars and community stakeholders, can access a wealth of information, support, and direction through the Division of Research Integrity & Assurance in the Office of Research, Innovation, & Economic Development. This updated website offers convenient access to resources such as the Engaged Research Process, Guidelines on Collaborative Research, the CERTIFICATION portal, and various other pertinent materials.

Join Dr. Rebecca Shearman, Program Director at NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships, on Thursday, October 24, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., as she leads a discussion on meaningful and responsible community engagement in federal grant proposals. With NSF increasingly requiring researchers to involve community members, Dr. Shearman will explore how to foster authentic partnerships that align with community needs. Drawing from her experience as a faculty member and NSF Program Director, she will offer insights on successful collaboration strategies.

The Office of Community Engagement and Outreach, in collaboration with the Judith A. Herbert Writing Center is pleased to announce the establishment of a Community-Engaged Scholarship Writing Group for the 2024-25 academic year. The group will launch on Tuesday, October 29, from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Participants in this writing group will have the opportunity to explore various avenues and strategies for publishing and presenting community-engaged scholarship. This initiative is also designed to facilitate networking among scholars dedicated to community engagement, while also encouraging participants to allocate dedicated time in their schedules for writing.

Each month, the Engagement Scholarship Consortium offers webinars and online professional development and networking opportunities for faculty, practitioners, graduate students, and university leaders. On October 31, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Brandon Kliewer, associate professor of civic and organizational leadership with the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at UTK, will discuss the process of creating a Ph.D. program focused on community-engaged research, as well as the challenges and opportunities that arise when mentoring students conducting community-engaged dissertations.

The Office of Assessment Culture and Education (ACE) is collaborating with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility for Thoughtful Thursday on October 31.  This session will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies for fostering equal access for all, and participants will learn how intentionality and education can transform your workplace into a supportive environment for employees with disabilities.

The Community Engagement Seminar Series is a bi-monthly professional development opportunity that is open to all members of the campus and broader community. The upcoming session titled, "Building Partnerships in Knoxville" will be facilitated by Community University Research Collaboration Initiative (CURCI) directors Jon Shefner and Lisa East, along with Tanika Harper, CEO of the Shora Foundation. Please utilize the button below to register to attend in person or on zoom on Friday, November 1, from 2:00 -3:00 p.m.

Metropolitan Universities, the journal of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU), provides an opportunity for scholarly peer-reviewed online publication that centers the relationship between communities and campuses. In a recent issue, a variety of authors composed research and praxis articles exploring various facets of campus-community relationships. From case studies on anchor institution models and place-based education to exploration of dual enrollment, community partnerships, trauma-informed practices, and global education in online spaces, this issue broadly addresses complex themes inquiring into higher education and community relationships. How do we deepen our institutional engagement with community, overcome barriers, increase access, and foster student success? Register below to hear the authors and editors discuss key ideas from the most recent issue on November 21, at 1:00 p.m. 

In true Volunteer spirit, there is a strong desire to assist our neighbors affected by Hurricane Helene. UT Public Safety has compiled resources for those looking to help.

As the search and recovery mission progresses, the list of supplies and needs may continue to grow. For the quickest impact, the East Tennessee Foundation has established a fund specifically for donations to the affected counties.

For more ways to contribute, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service offers an ongoing volunteer sign-up page, along with a list of opportunities to volunteer and donate. They also provide guidance on effective donation practices to maximize impact. UT Public Safety and the Jones Center will regularly update their page to keep the UT community informed about current needs. 

The Governor's Volunteer Stars Awards (GVSA) is Tennessee's premier volunteer recognition initiative.  We strive to recognize outstanding individuals, businesses and nonprofits from across the state. Since 2008, participating counties conduct a call for nominations and recognize one outstanding youth and one outstanding adult volunteer. They also recognize one business and one non-profit from each of Tennessee’s three Grand Divisions for their outstanding community involvement and service. Nominate a volunteer from Anderson, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Sevier, and Union by completing this form by October 24. To nominate volunteers from other Tennessee counties, please contact the county coordinator for details. 

The mission of the Gulf-South Summit on Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Through Higher Education is to promote networking among practitioners, research, ethical practices, reciprocal campus-community partnerships, sustainable programs, and a culture of engagement and public awareness through service-learning and other forms of civic engagement. The 2025 Gulf-South Summit will be held at Belmont University in Nashville, TN from March 26-28, 2025. The theme is "Celebrating Harmony. Learning from Dissonance."  Conference proposals are being accepted through 6:00 pm. on Friday, October 25. 

The Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning aims to increase service and volunteerism across Tennessee. The conference encourages collaboration between service leaders and participants to address needs in Tennessee while utilizing service and service-learning as a vehicle of change. Volunteer Tennessee invites you to submit a proposal to present a workshop or panel session at the Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning, to be held February 17-18, 2025, at the Franklin Marriott in Franklin, TN.

Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) is dedicated to helping classroom teachers make STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning fun and exciting for students in U.S. schools. TAF funds innovative STEM projects designed by teachers for use in their own schools and classrooms. Teachers at public and nonprofit private schools throughout the United States are eligible to apply. Applications for grants of more than $5,000 are due November 1 and May 1 each year. The upcoming application deadline for grades 6-12 for up to $5,000 is December 1. 

Princeton in Asia (PiA) fosters mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia through immersive work fellowships in host organizations and communities.. PiA Fellows work at some of Asia’s most innovative business and social enterprises; they teach at kindergartens, secondary schools, polytechnics, and universities; and they write for newspapers and create content for international media platforms. In the 2025-26 fellowship cycle, they expect to offer 60 positions. The deadline to apply is Thursday, November 1. To be eligible, you must have a bachelor’s degree. 

The Volunteer Tennessee Award of Excellence for Volunteerism and Service-Learning annually recognizes K-12 schools (both private and public) that actively promote student involvement in volunteerism and community service. Applications are due November 15. Winners will be recognized at the 2025 Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service Learning in Franklin, TN.

The Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS) works with U.S. and international scientists and engagement practitioners to build capacity, advance scholarship, grow partnerships and provide resources to help them engage with and demonstrate the impact of research in their communities and society. ARIS Awards recognize Engaged Knowledge Generation (accomplishing societal impacts through the research activity itself, engaging the public in the research process, participating in knowledge generation) and Engaged Knowledge Transition (accomplishing societal impacts through activities that are supported by but are complementary to the research itself.) Awards will be presented in the following categories: Impact Goals Award, Impact Innovations Award, Enduring Achievement Award, and Emerging BI Leader. Travel expenses for ARIS winners to San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be covered by ARIS. Nominations are open now and due December 6. 

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation works to promote a just, equitable, and sustainable society. The Foundation’s civil society program provides grants internationally to support national, regional, and global-level organizations working to protect the space for civic engagement, enhance community philanthropy development, and increase access to justice in communities around the world. The education program funds projects in the United States to expand learning opportunities and support for children, particularly those from low‑ and moderate-income communities. The environment program primarily funds organizations in the Great Lakes region, but also makes grants to selected organizations in other countries to help ensure that international investment and trade support sustainable development and reduce environmental degradation.

The Brady Education Foundation seeks to close the educational opportunity gaps associated with race, ethnicity, and family income. The Foundation pursues its mission by promoting collaboration among researchers, educators, and other stakeholders via the funding of research projects and program evaluations that have the potential of informing private funders and public policy. They are currently accepting Research Project (RP) proposals and Existing Program Evaluation (EPE) proposals that have the potential to provide data that will inform how to address disparities in educational opportunities associated with race, ethnicity, and family income. Proposals are due on December 1.

If you are conducting community-engaged research, scholarship, or outreach work, we invite you to share your activity with us. Your work is important and deserves to be elevated to the highest extent possible. Please complete the Engagement Project Form here. 

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Contact Us

Office of Community Engagement and Outreach

within the Division of Access and Engagement

301 Andy Holt Tower

Knoxville, TN 37996

865-974-4742

communityengagement.utk.edu

communityengagement@utk.edu