The Literacy First tutoring program is expanding again for 2025–26 through a partnership among Hamilton County Schools, Chattanooga 2.0, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Building on measurable reading gains at 12 schools, UTC’s Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education will place five teacher candidates at Brown Academy to provide one-on-one tutoring. The…
Chattanooga preservation group honors people, projects
Preserve Chattanooga recently held its 2025 Chattanooga Preservation Awards, celebrating individuals and projects that protect, restore, and promote the city’s historic fabric. Hosted in partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Interior Architecture and Design program, the nonprofit honored champions of preservation—ranging from architects and volunteers to restoration initiatives—that help safeguard Chattanooga’s heritage. The…
UTC Lands NSF Grant To Strengthen STEM Education
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) secured a $500,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to support a three-year program preparing and retaining middle and high school STEM teachers through hands-on research in microelectronics and artificial intelligence. Led by Dr. Raga Ahmed and supported by UTC faculty, the initiative—tied to local school districts—will connect educators…
Big dog on campus: Chief canine officer Gunny paws-itively impacts campus life at UTC
UTC has welcomed its first Chief Canine Officer, a 6-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer named Gunther (aka Gunny). Formerly a vapor wake dog, he now joins UTC Police Chief Sean O’Brien on campus several times per week to engage students and support campus life. His presence has already sparked more interaction and connection between students and…
Hamilton County Schools, VW partner at new tech center
Hamilton County Schools has partnered with Volkswagen to fund and operate the new Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center, launching a Volkswagen Engineering Preparatory Program for high school freshmen. The initiative aims to integrate industry-aligned engineering education into the curriculum. The partnership is meant to create engineering and university pathways from the school system to the University…


