The Academics
Sarah Catherine chose to transfer
Sarah Catherine Baker didn’t think UTC was the campus for her—at first. After having been home schooled, she chose to start her college education at a small, private school, but she just didn’t find everything she wanted. “I wanted a school that was a little bigger. UTC was just what I was looking for.” Since transferring to UTC as a Communication major, Baker has joined the newspaper staff as a sports reporter and a campus ministry as well as becoming an orientation leader. She hopes her UTC education will prepare her to be an international representative for a large nonprofit or organization, but for right now, she’s taking advantage of every opportunity UTC has to offer.
Simone chose honors
Simone chose UTC for the Brock Scholars program. “The Honors College at UTC is amazing: the staff is really invested and the community that comes with being an honors student is wonderful.” Simone is majoring in Political Science and participating in Mock Trial. “The team has been very welcoming, and it was really fun to represent UTC at tournaments where so many different colleges were competing.” Simone wants current high school seniors to know that, “UTC has given me caring friends, unique experiences, valuable lessons, and useful knowledge that I wouldn’t have if I were at any other school. Go Mocs!”
Sam chose skills
Lights. Camera. Action. For Sam Elder, the whole world is a potential idea for a movie. The English major hopes to write and direct films. “The UTC English Department has helped me immensely with improving my writing. I am learning to be a better story-teller. I know that UTC will give me the skills I need to fulfill my dream of working in films.”
Emily chose research
Emily chose UTC for the research opportunities. She is a biology major and hopes to become a geneticist and put her research experience to good use working with Doctors Without Borders. She has enjoyed becoming a committee chair in Freshmen Senate and being able to plan events to directly impact Campus. Emily wants incoming college freshmen to consider UTC because, “UTC is amazing and Chattanooga as a city is a great and interesting place to live. There is really no downside to going here; you get the neat atmosphere as well as a quality education from great professors."
Robert chose high achievement
Robert chose UTC because of the achievement opportunities it presented. In his first semester, he has enjoyed being a part of the High Achieving Mocs Living Learning Community. “I’ve met some amazing people through the HAM LLC,” he said. Robert is looking forward to remaining in Chattanooga during the summer, where he will still be close enough to Campus to participate in summer internships. His advice to current high school seniors considering colleges is, “I would say pick a college where you can grow. Don't chose a college based off of friends or wanting to get away.”
Kalani chose academics
For Kalani Porto-Siurano, choosing a college took finding the right balance natural beauty and outdoor opportunities, a vibrant metropolitan community, and a campus that offered the complete college experience. UTC had everything he was looking for. He is very active on campus but says that the most important element of his college experience has to be his education. The communication major hopes to join the U.S. Foreign Service when he graduates. “All of the amenities around a campus are selling points, but looking at the actual courses and degrees helped me choose UTC. In the end, you are here to get an education. “
Lauren chose research
Lauren chose UTC for the research opportunities and for its strong science program. She is majoring in Pre-Professional Biology. She plans to use her research experience and her degree to go to dental school and then go on to become an orthodontist. She advises incoming college freshmen to get involved on campus, saying, “So far this semester, I have met many new friends and I have gotten involved in new things that I never would have thought about doing.”