UTK Family Experience

Supported by UT’s AI Tennessee initiative, a team of fourth- and fifth-grade students from Alcoa Intermediate School won their age group in the national Presidential AI Challenge in Washington, D.C. The team’s winning proposal, called Homework Helper, is an AI tool designed to reduce homework-related anxiety by helping students manage their time and guiding them through problem-solving without providing answers.

Elementary Students Win National AI Competition With Support From UT Supported by UT Knoxville’s AI Tennessee, a team of Alcoa, Tennessee, elementary students won their age group in the national Presidential AI Challenge.

UT alumnus Randy “Komrade” Bresnik has been named the commander of NASA’s Artemis III mission, which is the next phase in the space agency’s plan to return humans to the moon. Bresnik graduated from the Tickle College of Engineering in 2002 with a master’s degree in aviation systems through the UT Space Institute. He is one of nine UT graduates who have ventured to space as astronauts.

UT Alumnus Bresnik Selected to Command Artemis III Mission - Tickle College of Engineering UT graduate Randy Bresnik has been named the commander of NASA’s Artemis III mission, the next phase in the plan to return to the moon.

This fall, UT will welcome 16 first-year students as the 2026 class of Haslam Leadership Scholars. Established in 2008 with a gift from Jimmy and Dee Haslam and Jim and Natalie Haslam, the scholarship program honors the Haslam family’s legacy of developing community-minded and intellectually gifted young leaders. The program’s mission is to attract, cultivate and retain future Tennessee leaders.

Haslam Leadership Scholars To Welcome 16 First-Year Students The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will welcome 16 first-year students into the 2026 class of Haslam Leadership Scholars.

The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation celebrated its most ambitious competition season yet at its annual awards ceremony, where student and doctoral entrepreneurs from across the UT System competed for a share of a $50,000 prize pool. First place went to Arbor AI, founded by Patrick Ragozzine, a JD student in the Winston College of Law.

AI Law Tool Wins UT Boyd Venture Challenge as Competition Expands Systemwide with $50,000 Prize Pool - Haslam College of Business The competition saw winners from UT and UTC, and the ACEI also celebrated other winners during its annual awards ceremony.

UT is celebrating another national recognition from Forbes, landing on the publication’s list of best employers for new graduates for the sixth consecutive year. Employers were assessed on several criteria, including salary, benefits, advancement opportunities, AI adoption, work-life balance and company image.

UT Recognized as One of Nation’s Best Employers for New Graduates The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been named a best employer for new graduates by Forbes for the sixth consecutive year.

Are you looking for a meaningful way to stay connected to Rocky Top while supporting current and future Volunteer families? Consider becoming a 2026-27 Tennessee Family Ambassador!

Tennessee Family Ambassadors serve as volunteers and representatives for the Tennessee Family Association and Family Experience, helping strengthen the connection between families and the University of Tennessee community.

Family Ambassadors support Family Experience events, assist with recruitment and admissions initiatives, participate in webinars and panels, and help engage Volunteer families in their local communities and beyond.

🧡 If you're passionate about UT and want to help create an exceptional experience for Vol families, we encourage you to apply!

📅 Application deadline: Wednesday, July 8 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Learn more and apply today at tiny.utk.edu/familyambassador

Did you miss Session 2 of the Tennessee Family Series? In Session 2, we were joined by staff from the Center for Basic Needs, Center for Financial Wellness, and One Stop Student Services. During the session, our panelists discussed how to review your student’s tuition bill, financial wellness while in college, how to access the Big Orange Pantry, and much more.

We hope to see you at the next session on June 25 at 7 p.m. (EST) for Session 3: Academic Success with the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration, Academic Success Center, First Year Experience, VolBooks, and Undergraduate Academic Advising.

View recordings & register for upcoming Tennessee Family Series sessions here:

Tennessee Family Series Explore the Tennessee Family Series for essential webinars on supporting your student's success, with recordings available for later viewing.

UT is launching the Knoxville Quantum Accelerator, also known as K-Quantum, to advance the region’s position as a leader in quantum technologies and systems. Unlike the digital computing systems we rely on today, quantum systems use elements of quantum mechanics — the complex behavior of atoms and subatomic particles — to process vast amounts of information quickly and in new ways. This enables breakthroughs in applications ranging from drug discovery and advanced manufacturing to cryptography and optimization.

UT Launches Knoxville Quantum Accelerator To Advance Tennessee's Future UT Knoxville is launching the Knoxville Quantum Accelerator to advance the region’s position as a leader in quantum technologies and systems.

Sixteen students have been named Gilman Scholars and awarded a collective $55,000 in scholarships from the U.S. Department of State to support studies or internships abroad. The program aims to expand study abroad opportunities for students from all academic fields and backgrounds, helping them develop skills essential to the nation’s security and economic prosperity.

Sixteen Students Earn Gilman Scholarships for International Study and Internships Sixteen UT students have received Gilman Scholarships from the U.S. Department of State to support their studies or internships abroad.

Congratulations to our Grand Prize Winner, Melissa Cox, and shoutout to our top 10 participants on the leaderboard, who will each receive a VolShop gift card!

Thank you to everyone who participated in Family Appreciation Week—we loved celebrating our incredible Volunteer families all week long.

Stay tuned for more opportunities to stay engaged and connected with Rocky Top!