A new program designed to help Tennessee’s community college students better navigate the transition to UT has gained $1 million in support and recognition from the National Science Foundation.

Following the establishment of the Tennessee Promise program, which provides two years of free community college to the state’s students, faculty members in the Tickle College of Engineering met to come up with a plan to accommodate transfer students and position them for success in the college.

The team focused on the five-year graduation rate for engineering transfer students—71 percent, compared to 85 percent for traditional students who enter as freshmen.

“Transfer students face a unique set of challenges compared to traditional students,” said materials science and engineering Professor David Keffer, leader on the project. “We sought to develop a program, based on input from many directions, to create an experience for transfer students which addresses well-identified academic and social obstacles to successful completion of their degree.”

Tim Ezzell, research scientist in the Department of Political Science, and Rachel Chen, professor in the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management, have received a $200,000 competitive grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission—a federal economic development agency—to conduct the one-year study to better understand Appalachian tourism and identify opportunities to grow tourism activities and encourage business development.

It is the largest and most comprehensive study of tourism ever conducted by the commission, which covers 205,000 square miles across 420 counties in 13 states.

The Office of Research and Engagement is soliciting nominations for several 2017 Chancellors Awards. Two of the awards are brand new this year and are specifically related to undergraduate researchers and their faculty mentors. 

Find details for each of the awards at the following links.