{"id":67618,"date":"2025-04-24T06:36:46","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T10:36:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=67618"},"modified":"2025-04-28T14:37:41","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T18:37:41","slug":"final-reflection-a-journey-of-growth-purpose-and-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/final-reflection-a-journey-of-growth-purpose-and-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Final reflection: A journey of growth, purpose and community"},"content":{"rendered":"

Destiny Pope said that when she arrived at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in fall 2021, she wasn\u2019t sure where her college career would take her.<\/em><\/p>\n

Now, she\u2019s preparing to walk across the McKenzie Arena stage during May 3 undergraduate commencement ceremonies\u2014joining her twin sister, Dynasty, who is earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in health and human performance.<\/em><\/p>\n

Destiny will officially graduate in August with a bachelor\u2019s degree in human resource management from the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. A Chattanooga native and 2021 graduate of Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, she has been an active student leader throughout her time at UTC\u2014with significant involvement in the Decosimo Success Center and the First in Fletcher program.<\/em><\/p>\n

Her efforts and campus involvement paid off: Before graduation, she had already secured a full-time recruiter position with Insight Global following a competitive four-round interview process.<\/em><\/p>\n

===============================================================<\/p>\n

Click here for more UTC Commencement 2025 stories<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

===============================================================<\/p>\n

As a participant in ThinkAchieve, an experiential learning program at UTC, she was asked to write a personal reflection. For Pope, what started as a class requirement quickly became something more.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI think when I was doing that, I really just kind of had a flashback to me walking on this campus as a freshman,\u201d she said. \u201cThat was my gratitude on paper\u2014to simply put it honestly.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The piece that follows, Pope said, is not only a thank you to the programs and mentors that shaped her\u2014including Decosimo Success Center Director Kimberly Thomas and ThinkAchieve Experiential Learning Coordinator Bengt Carlson\u2014but also a message to future students about the power of getting involved and finding purpose.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so amazing to me and so heartfelt to me when God can take somebody like me and just kind of blast them off and allow them to soar so high,\u201d she said. \u201cAll credit to God.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chuck Wasserstrom<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Destiny

Destiny Pope, Wednesday, Apr. 23, 2025, in Fletcher Hall. Photo by Angela Foster.<\/p><\/div>\n

Looking back on my time at UTC, one of the most defining aspects of my college experience has been my involvement with the First in Fletcher Council and the Decosimo Success Center. These spaces have not only nurtured my professional growth but also helped shape my identity as a first-generation college student, a student leader, and an aspiring human resources professional. It\u2019s been a journey filled with challenges, learning curves, meaningful connections, and transformative moments that I\u2019ll carry with me long after graduation.<\/p>\n

Since joining First in Fletcher as a sophomore, I\u2019ve had the incredible opportunity to serve on two different council committees. These roles have pushed me to grow both personally and professionally, giving me a front-row seat to what it means to lead with intention and serve with purpose. This semester, I continued my involvement as a member of the Marketing Committee, where I explored a new dimension of engagement within the College of Business. Through creating social media content that highlighted impactful women during Women\u2019s History Month and sharing our personal testimonials about First in Fletcher, I saw firsthand how consistent and thoughtful engagement can elevate visibility and strengthen a community\u2019s identity. It was rewarding to witness our increased brand recognition and know that I played a part in helping foster that connection.<\/p>\n

Beyond the technical skills, what has mattered most to me are the relationships and mentorship I\u2019ve found. The Decosimo Success Center and First in Fletcher have been cornerstones of my college life. I\u2019ve been able to connect with Ms. Emily and the other advisors, forming a tight-knit network of support that has carried me through the highs and lows of this journey. As a first-gen student, learning to navigate college systems can be overwhelming\u2014but I\u2019ve not only learned to navigate them; I\u2019ve learned how to thrive.<\/p>\n

One pivotal moment was when the Success Center encouraged me to attend the Power of We event\u2014something I initially hesitated to do. That small push made a huge difference. It set off a chain of events that led me to take more initiative in my career, culminating in my summer internship as a Talent Acquisition Intern at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. That experience solidified my passion for human resource management and gave me a deeper understanding of the field I plan to pursue.<\/p>\n

Another major milestone was when the College of Business encouraged me to engage with Insight Global. What began as a conversation turned into a four-round interview process that ultimately led to a job offer for a recruiter position\u2014secured even before graduation. These moments have been more than just professional wins; they\u2019ve been personal affirmations that I belong in these spaces and that I have something valuable to contribute.<\/p>\n

Curiosity also led me to a larger initiative this semester\u2014one that I\u2019m particularly proud of. I began conversations with leaders within the College of Business to explore how the First in Fletcher model could be implemented across other colleges at UTC. With the support of Dr. (Artanya) Wesley, Ms. Stacie Grisham, and Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste, I\u2019ve started laying the groundwork for this vision. These conversations are about more than just expanding a program\u2014they\u2019re about fostering a culture of belonging and increasing student retention by making sure more students feel seen, heard, and supported.<\/p>\n

Throughout this experience, I\u2019ve learned how to advocate for students, how to build meaningful connections, and how to turn a concern into action. I\u2019ve learned the power of being a bridge\u2014someone who can connect ideas with people, and people with opportunity. Working at the Decosimo Success Center for nearly two years has been the scariest\u2014yet most rewarding\u2014risk I\u2019ve ever taken. What started as a leap of faith turned into one of the most transformative experiences of my college career. From the very beginning, Ms. Kim, the director of the Decosimo Success Center and one of the driving forces behind First in Fletcher, welcomed students like me with open arms. She created a space where we could grow, belong, and lead. Watching her advocate so fiercely for First in Fletcher, and being able to count on her unwavering support, has shown me what it truly means to lead with strength, integrity, and vision.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s not only been a mentor, but a facilitator of change\u2014and her example has left a lasting impact on how I aspire to lead in the future. From Ms. Kim, who helped expand my circle of influence, to the many leaders who have poured into me along the way, I\u2019ve been blessed with a community that believes in me\u2014and because of that, I\u2019ve learned to believe in myself.<\/p>\n

Over the past few months, I\u2019ve come to realize just how deeply meaningful giving back is to me. What once started as a small desire to be more involved has grown into a true passion for service and community. This semester, I challenged myself to volunteer in more diverse ways, seeking out opportunities that would allow me to connect with different people and causes. I had the joy of supporting my twin sister during her first 5K marathon, lending a hand at the Chatt Foundation by serving dinner to those in need, and helping clean up litter and debris around a local community recreation center. Each experience reminded me that volunteering isn\u2019t just about helping others\u2014it transforms you. It opens your eyes to lives and stories beyond your own, deepens your empathy, and inspires you to become an active force for positive change in your community.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, my time at UTC\u2014especially through First in Fletcher and the Decosimo Success Center\u2014has been nothing short of life-changing. It\u2019s been a season of discovery, growth, and purpose. As I prepare for the next chapter, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit ready to continue making a difference. I\u2019ve been inspired, empowered, and shaped by my time here\u2014and I\u2019m excited to take everything I\u2019ve learned and pass it on, creating ripples that go far beyond me.<\/p>\n

Learn more<\/h4>\n

Visit UTC<\/a><\/p>\n

Gary W. Rollins College of Business<\/a><\/p>\n

Human Resource Management<\/a><\/p>\n

How to apply<\/a><\/p>\n

\""Over

“Over the past few months,” Destiny Pope said, “I\u2019ve come to realize just how deeply meaningful giving back is to me. What once started as a small desire to be more involved has grown into a true passion for service and community.”<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As a participant in ThinkAchieve, an experiential learning program at UTC, Destiny Pope was asked to write a personal reflection. For Pope, what started as a class requirement quickly became something more.<\/p>\n

Continue Reading <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1493,"featured_media":67762,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_slider":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_featurette":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[661,70,123864,15,3,122313,57,8244,122426,64,7290,8338],"tags":[123825,122776,125515,123827,48408,125531,125532,124899,123388,122344,123828,124776,123829,48024,48041,8335],"class_list":{"0":"post-67618","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-academics","8":"category-advancement-and-alumni","9":"category-campus","10":"category-community","11":"category-experiential-learning","12":"category-college-of-business","13":"category-honors-and-awards","14":"category-management","15":"category-news","16":"category-student-servicees","17":"category-students","18":"category-thinkachieve","19":"tag-artanya-wesley","20":"tag-bengt-carlson","21":"tag-commencement-2025","22":"tag-creating-the-mocs-experience","23":"tag-decosimo-success-center","24":"tag-destiny-pope","25":"tag-dynasty-pope","26":"tag-first-in-fletcher","27":"tag-human-resource-management","28":"tag-kimberly-thomas","29":"tag-leveraging-our-special-place-as-chattanoogas-university","30":"tag-mocs-learn-mocs-do-mocs-lead","31":"tag-operating-with-excellence","32":"tag-shewanee-howard-baptiste","33":"tag-stacie-grisham","34":"tag-thinkachieve","35":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nFinal reflection: A journey of growth, purpose and community | UTC News Archive: Jul 2007 - Oct 2025<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As a participant in ThinkAchieve, an experiential learning program at UTC, Destiny Pope was asked to write a personal reflection. 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