March 4, 2025

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

LATEST NEWS

Employee Appreciation Week, a time dedicated to celebrating the hard work of UT System Administration staff, began yesterday with breakfast from Ruby Sunshine. That was just one of many activities and moments of special recognition planned for UTSA staff this week. A full schedule of events, including instructions for RSVP’ing for this afternoon's yoga class, and instructions to claim a free T-shirt are available on the Employee Appreciation Week event page.

As Employee Appreciation Week continues, remember this as a special opportunity to celebrate contributions, strengthen connections and foster a culture of gratitude that extends well beyond this week. Every contribution, big or small, plays a role in shaping the success of the University and fueling the momentum behind the greatest decade in UT history.

Last month, UT System President Randy Boyd delivered the 2025 State of the University Address, celebrating the University's record-breaking achievements, expanding research efforts and highlighting the UT System's growing impact across the state. Joined by UT campus chancellors and institute leaders, Boyd emphasized the collective momentum driving the UT System forward as we continue to deliver on our promise of making this the greatest decade in UT history.

“In 230 years, the University of Tennessee has never been stronger,” Boyd said. “We are at the halfway point of the greatest decade in UT history, and the numbers speak for themselves.”

The Grand Challenges Summit brought together over 400 individuals from the UT System, state and local government and community organizations in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The event focused on collaboration to address some of Tennessee’s most pressing issues: advancing K-12 education, strengthening rural communities and overcoming addiction.

The summit concluded with an inspiring keynote by Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, emphasizing that prioritizing people leads to solutions. The momentum from the summit continues with new working groups and follow-up meetings to drive meaningful change.

What an inspiring week at the 2025 UT Leadership Institute! With 50 leaders from across the UT System, this immersive program offered hands-on learning, including a Be One university simulation and a team building "trip to space" at UTC's Challenger Center. Participants also took part in engaging leadership discussions, all while building lasting connections with colleagues across the state. Special thanks to UT Chattanooga for being such a fantastic host.

Participants are now equipped to bring their new skills back to their teams, campuses and communities. Congratulations to all participants, including our very own UTSA employees:

A special thank you to the Engagement and Organizational Development team for making the program a success!

Be sure to check out the latest news and announcements on the "DASH...Did You Know?" page! Regular updates provide valuable insights and reminders about DASH. Stay informed and make the most of the platform by visiting frequently for new tips and information.

Be sure to address your “8 Dimensions of Wellness” in March by participating in some of UT Knoxville’s Be Well events, including:

See full details on the Be Well events page and stay in the know by subscribing to the Be Well Newsletter! Make March count towards your wellness improvement journey!

This coming Sunday, March 9, marks the beginning of daylight saving time—the period created to create more hours of sunlight. So remember to "spring forward" by setting your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night (the official time change occurs Sunday morning at 2 a.m. EST). 

While many are excited about the incoming spring season, for some the time change can have a negative impact on sleep patterns. Below are a few tips from WebMD for making the adjustment. 

There was no shortage of fun and exciting moments occurring across the UT System last month! From snow adventures to the 2025 State of the University, this month's photo recap album is sure to make you smile.

There are a lot of perks to being a UT System employee. So many, it can be easy to lose track of them all. To help keep you informed on what's available, we highlight a few perks each month we think you'll enjoy.

This month's incredible perk: Up to 20% off the best available rates at participating Wyndham Hotels & Resorts properties.

Whether you are looking for an upscale hotel, an all-inclusive resort or something more cost-effective, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has the right hotel for you! Their vast portfolio of hotels and resorts offer a variety of accommodations to meet all travel needs. Wherever people go, Wyndham will be there to welcome them.

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

UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST

Join the inaugural event of the Well Informed series today from 9 a.m.–1:45 p.m. ET, led by UT System Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Jessi Gold. This biannual series will address key wellness topics affecting students across the UT System, bringing together faculty, staff, community partners and experts to tackle critical student wellness issues.

Our goal is to equip faculty and staff with the knowledge to foster positive change, supporting the well-being of our campuses and communities. If you can’t attend in person at UT Chattanooga, you can still join us live online!

Hear from UT System President Randy Boyd, keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Loyd (chief medical officer at Cedar Recovery), and a panel of experts as they discuss the opioid crisis and overdose prevention.

The 2025 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend (April 5–6) is coming up, and UT System Administration employees have already committed to running and walking a total of 200+ miles — and counting! Will you add your miles to the total?

Run, walk, relay or volunteer and help UTSA compete in the Fittest Company Challenge while scoring some great perks:

Just enter "University of Tennessee System" under the Fittest Company Challenge when signing up.

But hurry, the deadline to receive the free commemorative T-shirt is Monday, March 10.

Click here for more details or contact Jason Moody at jmoody9@tennessee.edu.

The UT System's Week of Service is April 28-May 2, 2025. During the Week of Service, employees will be encouraged to participate in volunteer work and service. Many different service opportunities will be provided for employees during the month of April. Be on the lookout for more information!

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Organizational Development Business Partner, Engagement and Organizational Development

Brian Watkins joined the UT System team on Feb. 1. Watkins holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Tusculum University, as well as a professional certification in human resources. He has over 14 years of experience in public service, including 11 years as the human resources and capital director for the Tennessee School for the Deaf under the Tennessee Department of Education. Most recently, Watkins served as a leadership development consultant at UT Knoxville. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, watching sports and going on beach vacations.

Staff Associate Architect

Renee Lartigue joined the UT System team on Feb. 10. Lartigue is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but grew up in Memphis. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from UT Knoxville and has over 15 years of experience providing professional architectural services. Outside of work, Lartigue likes to stay active by spending time outdoors and devoting time to close family and friends.

Executive Director, Engagement and Organizational Development

Kelsey Fleming joined the UT System team on Feb. 24. Fleming holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master’s in public administration from Liberty University. Fleming's diverse professional career includes five years in the Marine Corps, four years with Amazon and one year with AmeriCorps. Outside of work, the Charles County, Maryland, native enjoys strength training, reading and exploring Knoxville with her dogs, husband Tanner and two sons.

Software Developer, Department of Technology Solutions

Mykhailo Kirovych joined the UT System team on Feb. 24. Kirovych, a native of Ukraine, holds an associate degree in software engineering and a bachelor's degree in computer science. He has over four years of experience in software engineering, including two years as a chief specialist in front-end development. When not working, Kirovych enjoys going to the gym, catching up on new Netflix series and expanding his knowledge in software development and modern technologies.

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.