Accolades

Nate Koerber Presents at AERA Annual Meeting in Toronto

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Nate Koerber, a student in the Leadership Studies program, presented a paper, which he co-authored, titled Allies in Resistance: Black-White Mentorship for Engaging Post-Truth Narratives Within an Urban Teacher Program at the AERA annual meeting in Toronto, Canada, on April 8.

This study examines the mentoring relationship between two Black women professors and two White men working as graduate assistants (GAs) in an Urban Teacher Program (UTP). This work presents an example of mentoring, collaboration, and allyship in anti-racist teacher education that pushes back against “post-truth” and “fake news” as they manifest in narratives about urban schools in the conservative Appalachian region.

Instrumental case study methodology informed by Critical Whiteness Theory and tenets of CRT is used to analyze the relationship carefully crafted within this UTP by Black women professors mentoring White men GAs. Findings hold significance for future research on allyship, teacher education program design, and real-world education contexts P-16+, particularly within an urban education context.

Marisa Moazen named Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research & Engagement

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Marisa Moazen, director, Office of Undergraduate Research at the University of Tennessee, has been named Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research & Engagement. Marisa is an alum of and adjunct assistant professor with the Higher Education Administration program in the department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Congratulations to Dr. Moazen!

Koerber and Ritchie Researching School and School Governance in UK

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Damian Hinds, Member of Parliament and Secretary of Education of the United Kingdom (left), and Ian Potter, CEO of Gosport Fareham Multi-Academy Trust (right), with Nate Koerber and Margaret Ritchie. Nate and Margaret are conducting research of school and school governance in the United Kingdom.

Sonya Hayes Chosen as One of the New Editors for AERA Newsletter

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Sonya D. Hayes

Sonya D. Hayes, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, has been chosen as one of the new editors for AERA’s Division A newsletter.  She will serve a two year appointment beginning in May.

Tanisha Jenkins

Tanisha Jenkins, HEAM PhD Student, Featured in Knoxville News Sentinel’s “Top 40 Under 40”

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Tanisha Jenkins, PhD student in Higher Education Administration at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, is featured as one of Knoxville News Sentinel’s “Top 40 under 40”. Her goal is to promote academic success, leadership development and equality for all students at UT. She is the Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Life and the Frieson Black Cultural Center.

Photo from Knox News Sentinel

M Aaron Christian

ELPS Graduate M. Aaron Christian selected for the Tennessee Governor’s Academy for School Leadership

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UTK VOLS Lead graduate, M. Aaron Christian, was recently selected  for the Tennessee Governor’s Academy for School Leadership, one of only 29 assistant principals selected from across the state of Tennessee.

Aaron was nominated by the Washington County Director of Schools and will start the 1 year program in January.

Aaron states that: “I attribute these early successes to the education I received during my time in the VOLS Lead cohort. Not only was the program rigorous and well designed, it was, most importantly, immediately applicable. I am regularly able to overcome a lack of experience by relying on my education received at UTK.”

Aaron is currently Assistant Principal at Boones Creek Middle/Elementary School in Washington County.

Online Leadership Studies Program at The University of Tennessee – Knoxville made the ranking of 24th for Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership.

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SR Education Group, a leading education research publisher founded in 2004, has just unveiled their 2019 rankings on GuidetoOnlineSchools.com.The new best online colleges lists are the first to offer all-encompassing rankings of online colleges using up-to-date alumni salary data from PayScale and tuition rates across degree level and program. Inclusion on this list shows high return on investment and commitment to affordability, two key factors for prospective students. The University of Tennessee – Knoxville made the ranking at 24th for Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership.

The full list is available here: https://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/degrees/educational-leadership#best-value-masters

The methodology for these rankings employs median mid-career salary data, as well as manually researched tuition rates. Since salaries differ by degree level and program, SR Education Group utilizes bachelor’s, master’s, and program specific salary data for the rankings. Manually collected tuition rates are also specific to degree level and program.

“We are excited to offer the most comprehensive and diverse collection of online school and program rankings. Our resources give prospective students transparent and accessible information to help them make important decisions about investments in their education and future career paths,” said Sung Rhee, CEO of SR Education Group.

Grant Kobes

Honors Leadership Program Student Leads Vex U Robotics Team to World Championship and International Community Service Award in its First Year

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It is common to find Leadership Studies minor students in the traditionally recognized student leadership positions and honors. Each graduating class of the Leadership Studies minor, since its inception in Fall 2015, has included at least one TorchBearer and Chancellors Honors Award recipients including 2 Extraordinary Campus Leadership and Service recipients. By its 4th graduating class in Spring 2019, the LSM alumni will include 5 student government executive officers (including 2 presidents and 2 vice presidents) and a President of the Panhellenic Council. It might be helpful to share that in addition to our students graduating as exemplary student leaders, this year a freshman pursuing the honors leadership studies minor and a member of the inaugural Honors Leadership Program shows what our students can do with a little support and nudge.

Grant Kobes – a first year Honors Leadership Program student completing an assignment for his first foundations of leadership course within the minor – created a strategic leadership plan to found and serve as the chief engineer for UTK’s Vex U Robotics Team, YNOT.  Grant secured a team mentor and started a new student organization after writing a budget, constitution, holding interest meetings/ individual member skills evaluations/ and officer elections.  His team spent the fall serving as volunteer referees and judges at high school events in order to gain experience with game strategy.  With no sponsor or work space, Grant and his teammates created their first robot iteration in the floor of his dorm room!  Team YNOT had an amazing first season, ranking 5th in world in autonomous programming and driver skills, and competing at the 2018 Vex Robotics World Championship.

One of Grant’s top leadership goals is reflected in Team YNOT’s mission statement: a focus on mentoring younger teams in the Knoxville community. Their work last year included creating an alliance of more than 15 area high school teams, all of which were personally coached by UTK’s team members.  The impact of this collaboration was recognized and praised by judges, resulting in team YNOT receiving the prestigious Community Award at this year’s World Championship.  This award is presented to the university level team that has demonstrated the most meaningful leadership and influence toward promoting STEM education in their local community.  Grant’s goal is to use competitive robotics to recruit the most talented high school students from the Knoxville area to the Tickle College of Engineering in the coming years.

Grant was also honored with an invitation to attend the 2018 Vex Robotics Event Partner Summit in Greenville, Texas.  This all-expense paid trip allowed leaders in Vex robotics from around the world a chance to meet at Vex headquarters to discuss the coming season.  As the youngest attendee in Vex history, Grant connected with many key individuals at both the state and national level.

This summer, Grant recruited over 50 new members while promoting his team at 11 of 13 orientation sessions.  His leadership philosophy focuses on personally getting to know each perspective student’s strengths and interests so that he can help them become a valued team member.  Grant invites anyone interested to contact him at gkobes@vols.utk.edu or the team Instagram @YNOTrobotics.