7 AM—Dr. Kumar Yelamarthi (Dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science)

· Joined UTC in July 2025 after serving as associate dean of academic affairs in Tennessee Tech’s College of Engineering, where he supported more than 3,100 students and 85 faculty across seven departments and 18 programs.

· Leads the College of Engineering and Computer Science with a “students first” philosophy and a focus on industry partnerships, workforce development, and preparing graduates for jobs that do not yet exist.

· Actively builds connections with regional partners like TVA, EPB, Volkswagen, and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce to strengthen the talent pipeline and align education with workforce needs.

· Sees UTC’s location and infrastructure as unique assets for innovation, citing access to resources like a quantum lab and proximity to numerous major corporate headquarters.

7:15 AM—Dr. Chris Smith (Director, School of Nursing)

· Leads UTC’s School of Nursing and serves as chief health affairs officer, guiding campus health initiatives and community engagement.

· UTC’s School of Nursing includes 3 BSN and 6 doctoral programs that are tied into affordability … community outreach through programs like the MobileMOC mobile health clinic … and new programs such as the launch of a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program this fall to help meet urgent workforce needs across the region and state.

· Recognized last week with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Patriot Award for exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve employees, reflecting her commitment to creating a culture of care, collaboration and trust.

7:30 AM—Dr. Lori Bruce (Chancellor)

· Became UTC’s 19th chancellor on June 30, 2025, following a national search.

· Brings nearly three decades of leadership in academic affairs, research growth and strategic planning.

· As provost at Tennessee Technological University, expanded annual research funding from $16 million to more than $46 million.

· Led more than $350 million in campus infrastructure improvements, from new science and engineering facilities to major renovations.

· Launched multiple new academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. levels to align with workforce needs.

· Recently appointed to the UT-Battelle Board of Governors, which oversees the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

· Committed to strengthening connections between world-class research and real-world impact, creating new opportunities for UTC students.

· Grew up on a working farm 90 minutes from Chattanooga in Lincoln County, Tennessee, where her parents instilled the values of hard work, service and education.

· Believes in “student success at the heart of everything we do,” focusing on access to college, support and career readiness.

· Sees every challenge as an opportunity to innovate, partner with the community, and elevate UTC’s role in the region and beyond.