The accomplishment means every ������� nursing graduate in the most recent cohort successfully passed the licensure examination on their first attempt, continuing a five-year tradition of excellence and underscoring the strength of the university’s nursing program.

The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing examination required for graduates to become registered nurses and serves as one of the most important indicators of nursing program quality and student preparedness.

“This achievement reflects the dedication of our students, the expertise of our faculty, the support of our clinical partners, and the commitment we share to preparing highly skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals,” said Gennifer Moon, DNP, RN, Chair of the Jeanette M. Travis School of Nursing & Health Sciences. “Maintaining a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate for five consecutive years is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to the culture of excellence that defines nursing education at �������.”

The achievement comes as healthcare providers across Tennessee and the nation continue to face workforce shortages, increasing the demand for well-prepared nurses who can make an immediate impact in hospitals, clinics, schools, and community healthcare settings.

�������’s nursing program combines rigorous academic preparation with extensive clinical experiences, ensuring graduates are equipped to deliver high-quality patient care from their first day in practice.

“Student success remains at the heart of everything we do,” said Melinda S. Arnold, Ph.D., ������� Chancellor. “Achieving a perfect first-time NCLEX pass rate for five straight years demonstrates the exceptional quality of our nursing program and the transformative educational experience our students receive. We are incredibly proud of our graduates and the faculty members who have helped prepare them for meaningful careers serving communities across Tennessee and beyond.”

While a 100% first-time pass rate is a remarkable achievement, the true measure of success is found in the lives these graduates will touch. Through a personalized educational experience grounded in academic excellence and service, ������� prepares nurses who are ready to care for their communities, advocate for their patients, and make a meaningful difference every day.

For more information about nursing programs at �������, visit utsouthern.edu.

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The language and behavior reflected in the video are deeply troubling, inconsistent with the values of �������, and not representative of our campus community or the standards we uphold as an institution.

������� strongly condemns hateful and discriminatory language and remains committed to fostering a campus environment grounded in dignity, respect, and belonging for all members of our community.

We recognize the anger, disappointment, and hurt this situation has caused across our campus and community – and we continue to actively address this situation.

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We remain committed to fostering a campus environment grounded in dignity, respect, and belonging for all members of our community. We do not condone hateful or discriminatory language.

While the content in question did not occur on university property or as part of any official university activity, we recognize the concern and impact such language can have on members of our campus and community.

The university is reviewing the matter through the appropriate institutional processes and in alignment with applicable policies and laws.

We recognize the concern this situation has generated among members of our campus and community and appreciate those who have reached out directly to the university. ������� remains committed to supporting a campus environment where all members of our community are treated with dignity and respect.

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The agreements create a more seamless transition for Columbia State students pursuing bachelor’s degrees while reinforcing a shared commitment to student success, workforce development, and regional collaboration across Southern Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama.

Through the co-admission partnership, eligible students will receive coordinated advising and degree planning support from both institutions, helping them navigate a clearly defined pathway from associate degree completion to enrollment at �������. Students participating in the program are guaranteed admission to ������� upon completion of their degree at Columbia State, provided they meet program requirements

“Co-admission sends a clear message to students: your educational journey does not stop after earning an associate degree,” said Dr. Prentice Chandler, ������� Provost. “This partnership creates a pathway intentionally designed to support student success and help students continue building toward their academic and professional goals. We are proud to strengthen that pathway alongside Columbia State.”

As part of the transfer agreement, students will benefit from coordinated advising between both institutions and priority registration opportunities at ������� during the semester they graduate from Columbia State.

In addition to the student-focused agreements, the institutions also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand professional development opportunities for employees of both institutions. The partnership includes two educational support opportunities for Columbia State employees pursuing a degree at �������: the First Flight Scholarship, which provides three free credit hours during the first semester of enrollment, and the University Partnership Scholarship, which provides a 25% tuition discount.

“We want Columbia State faculty and staff to know that if beginning or completing a degree is part of their personal or professional goals, ������� is here to support them,” said Melinda S. Arnold, PhD, ������� Chancellor. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to investing in people, strengthening our region, and creating opportunities that positively impact students, employees, and communities alike.”

The agreements further expand collaboration opportunities between faculty and staff at both institutions while supporting broader workforce and educational needs throughout the region.

“This partnership represents the continued evolution of a long-standing relationship between our institutions,” Arnold said. “Together, we are building stronger pathways for students, expanding opportunities for continued learning, and reinforcing the important role higher education plays in changing lives and strengthening communities.”

The agreements were developed collaboratively by leaders from both institutions following months of planning and coordination focused on improving student access, transfer experience, and educational opportunity throughout the region.

Columbia State and ������� leaders pictured (left to right): Dr. Denise Carr, Columbia State vice president for Academic Affairs; Cissy Holt, Columbia State vice president for Student Affairs; Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president; Dr. Melinda Arnold, ������� chancellor; and Dr. Prentice Chandler, ������� provost.

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Presented during the annual Women and Philanthropy Symposium, the award recognizes women whose leadership, generosity, and service create lasting impact across the University of Tennessee System and beyond. Speer’s commitment to expanding access to higher education, including her instrumental support of the merger that established �������, continues to shape opportunities for students across Southern Middle Tennessee.

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The ceremony, held outdoors on the historic Campus Green, represented the campus’s 156th commencement and the fifth since joining the University of Tennessee System. Under clear skies and in front of proud families, friends, faculty, and staff, graduates crossed the stage in a setting that reflected both the university’s rich heritage and its forward momentum.

This year’s ceremony also marked a meaningful milestone for campus leadership, as it was the first commencement presided over by Chancellor Melinda S. Arnold, PhD.

“This day represents the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and commitment from our students,” said Arnold. “We are proud to celebrate each graduate and the impact they are prepared to make in their communities and careers.”

Degrees awarded included 153 Bachelor of Science, 36 Bachelor of Business Administration, 15 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 20 Master of Business Administration, 7 Master of Science, and 5 Bachelor of Arts degrees, spanning a wide range of academic disciplines.

The Class of 2026 reflects the strength and diversity of �������’s academic programs, with graduates representing fields such as education, business, nursing, and the sciences. Notably, 58 graduates hailed from Giles County, underscoring the university’s continued commitment to serving its local community.

Regional impact was also evident, with 34 graduates from Lawrence County and 23 from Maury County.

As graduates turned their tassels and joined the ranks of , the ceremony stood as both a celebration of individual achievement and a reflection of the university’s continued growth and momentum.

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The two-day conference will welcome more than 40 participants from across Tennessee and Alabama, including ������� faculty and students, as well as middle school, high school, and postsecondary educators. The event reflects �������’s continued focus on connecting academic experience with real-world application and preparing students for a rapidly evolving landscape.

“This conference reflects the kind of work we are committed to doing at �������,” said Chancellor Melinda S. Arnold, PhD. “We are creating opportunities for students and educators to engage with new ideas, learn from one another, and better understand how tools like AI are already shaping the world around us.”

The conference will feature 13 presenters and volunteers and will include dedicated tracks for both educators and students. Sessions will highlight practical applications of AI in classrooms—particularly in math and science—while also exploring broader implications for the future of education and workforce development.

The event is supported through a collaborative network of partners, including , which is providing sponsorship to support participant experience, as well as academic partners from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Moraine Valley Community College. Both institutions bring specialized expertise through grant-funded initiatives focused on advancing AI education and educator pathways.

Dr. Prentice T. Chandler, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Experience, will open the conference with remarks highlighting the importance of integrating emerging technologies into education across the region.

“AI is not a future concept—it is already influencing how we teach, learn, and prepare students,” said Chandler. “Bringing together educators and partners in this way allows us to share ideas, build capacity, and ensure our students are equipped for what comes next.”

In addition to faculty and educators, ������� students will participate in the conference, gaining exposure to AI tools and concepts that align with their academic and career interests.

The conference also reflects �������’s role as a convener within the Southern Middle Tennessee corridor, bringing together partners across education and industry to expand opportunities and strengthen pathways for students.

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A total of 234 students are expected to receive degrees, representing a wide range of academic programs across the university. 

The Class of 2026 highlights the variety of �������’s academic offerings, with more than 150 students earning Bachelor of Science degrees across disciplines including elementary education, behavioral sciences, biology and kinesiology. The university will also award graduate-level degrees, including 20 Master of Business Administration degrees and seven Master of Science degrees.

Of the graduating class, 58 students are from Giles County, underscoring the university’s continued role in serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing graduates for careers in the region.

For student body president Kaitlyn Leigh Scroggins, commencement marks both a personal milestone and an opportunity to represent her classmates.

“It is an honor to speak as the student voice at commencement, and it has been an honor to be the student voice this semester,” Scroggins said. “My time at ������� has been rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed my four years at this university, and every student holds a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to stand with everyone one last time as we finish strong together.”

Scroggins, a biology major from Ardmore, Tennessee, plans to apply to veterinary school after a gap year.

Commencement will begin at 10 a.m. and is open to family members, friends and the community. It will include traditional elements such as the academic procession, invocation and musical performances, along with remarks from university leadership and student representatives. The full program is available on the commencement webpage.

In the event of inclement weather, commencement will relocate inside the Curry Athletic Center and take place in two separate ceremonies at 10 AM and 1 PM. The ceremony will be available via

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Dr. Rebecca Todd Garvin, Prof. Cochran Pruett and Prof. Nan Wakefield will present their proposal, “Before the Sign: Building the Linguistic Landscape Through Community Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Research.” The presentation highlights work from a ������� interdisciplinary team spanning the history, computer science and English departments.

The project, known as the Maplewood Project, brings together faculty, archaeologist Claiborne Sea and community leaders in Pulaski to examine how language, history and place intersect. The research focuses on documenting and interpreting the region’s linguistic landscape through collaborative, community-based approaches.

Garvin will also co-present a second paper, “(Dis)embodied LL Narratives of Post-Crisis,” with Dr. Stefania Tufi, head of the Italian linguistics program at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.

That study explores post-crisis narratives in both Italy and the United States, analyzing how they are represented through printed materials, images, public signage and memorial landscapes. The research includes a focus on Italian cultural and historical expression following World War II.

The Linguistic Landscape Workshop is an international forum for scholars examining the role of language in public spaces, bringing together researchers from across disciplines to explore how language can shape identity, memory and community.

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Established in 1966, the UTAA awards program honors outstanding faculty across the University of Tennessee System. ������� began participating in the program in 2023.

Faculty are nominated by students, with final selection determined by campus leadership. In nominations, students consistently highlighted Young’s dedication, accessibility and impact on their academic and professional development.

Students described Young as “kind, patient, respectful, resourceful” and credited her with providing consistent support throughout their academic careers. Several noted her guidance during Praxis exam preparation and clinical experiences, emphasizing her role in helping them build confidence as future educators.

Young reflected on the recognition and the impact of her work with students.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive the ������� Teacher of the Year award,” Young said. “I am grateful to be part of such an incredible community of educators. Most importantly, I am thankful for my students as they are my ‘why.’ They inspire and challenge me every day to grow and do this work with purpose.”

“What truly sets her apart is her accessibility and compassion,” one student wrote. “She is consistently willing to go above and beyond to support her students, ensuring that no one feels overlooked or unsupported.”

Young is a dedicated educator, having spent 29 years in K-12 education before joining ������� full-time in March 2023 as the Grow Your Own Coordinator. During her tenure in K-12, Young taught kindergarten, served in leadership roles in Giles and Fayetteville City Schools and led partnerships with local industry. Young has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Grissom School of Education since 2017.

Young will be recognized at the UTAA Board of Governors meeting in June in Knoxville. As part of the award, she will receive a $1,000 stipend, along with travel and event accommodations. The recognition reflects �������’s continued emphasis on high-quality instruction and student-centered learning.

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