Run the World Luncheon

Janika Carney

Fine Art Landscape & Architectural Photographer
 

Janika Carney is a woman of West Indian heritage with diverse roots whose vibrant background shapes her love for family, faith, and life’s everyday beauty. Born in Miami, Florida, she moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, as a teen and became a passionate photographer dedicated to capturing meaningful moments. 

Guided by her belief in God and the power of love, Janika is known for her caring spirit, infectious smile, and unwavering support for others. Through her lens, she highlights the beauty in both the grand and the ordinary, always staying true to the values that matter most—faith, family, and living life to the fullest. 

Advice to Students:  

Trust yourself and embrace the journey. Life won’t always go as planned, but every challenge shapes you into who you’re meant to be. Stay open to growth, surround yourself with people who uplift you, and never be afraid to chase what you truly love.  

Brittany Harris

Assistant Principal
Thrasher Elementary School 

Brittany Harris is an experienced educational leader with 16 years of service in education. She currently serves as the Assistant Principal at Thrasher Elementary School, where she is dedicated to fostering a positive learning environment, supporting teachers in instructional excellence, and building strong relationships within the school community. A proud alumna of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Brittany is passionate about professional growth and implementing best practices in curriculum planning, classroom management, and student engagement. 

Advice for University Students 

"Success is not about knowing everything—it's about staying curious, being open to feedback, and pushing yourself to grow. Embrace challenges as opportunities, ask thoughtful questions, and never stop learning. The best leaders are lifelong learners!" 

Krysta Murillo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor School of Education 

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Krysta Murillo, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in UTC’s School of Education. She earned a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education at Penn State University in 2018. Her research interests include play in the early years, home-school partnerships, and cultural school readiness practices. She loves to travel with her family: Dr. Edwin Murillo, Associate Professor of Spanish, Mariana, 17, and Mia, 14.  

Advice: Do not hesitate to seek out resources and help along your educational and professional journey. It is always better to share a heavy load than to go it alone. 

Vanessa Parras, J.D.

Legal Access Coordinator

La Paz Chattanooga

Of Salvadoran descent, Vanessa holds a J.D. from the University of Tennessee and is an alumna of UTC. She comes with legal and community experience, having worked with Georgia Legal Services Program and the University of Tennessee Legal Clinic. Vanessa will work closely with legal providers, local pro-bono attorneys, and state non-profit attorneys in order to advocate for and assist in advancing youth client immigration cases in the Chattanooga area. 

Advice I would like to share: Believe in yourself. You can do or be anything if you believe it strongly enough. Failure along the way is part of the journey and how we learn. Get up the next day, dust yourself off, and keep going.  🙂 

Anovia Slaughter, Ph.D.

Ombudsperson
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Dr. Anovia Slaughter has 15 years of experience in the field of criminal justice. She currently serves as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's first full-time Ombuds for all university employees, including faculty, staff, and student workers. For the past 15 years, she has been listed with the Tennessee Supreme Court as a Rule 31 Family and Civil Law Mediator with a specialization in domestic violence. Dr. Slaughter has also spent approximately six years as a faculty member in higher education, teaching Criminal Justice and Justice Studies, and has dedicated over 14 years to the nonprofit sector. 

She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Law and Public Policy, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. 

Advice to students: "Be intentional about all things related to you, (e.g. your education, your career, your circle, your mentors, your life, your community involvement, your health, your boundaries, your fun, your rest and your decisions)! Remember to practice work-life-balance as much as you can." 

Yvette Stewart, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor and Literary Director
UTC College of Arts and Sciences

A native of rural North Carolina, “Dr. Yvette” (as she is affectionately called) has over 28 years of experience in education as a teacher, school administrator, state education leader, and district Curriculum Director. She serves as Assistant Professor and Literacy Director at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, leading literacy initiatives for the College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies and the Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education. Known for her energetic spirit and passion for young people, she enjoys traveling, family time, Dallas Cowboys football, running, and community service. She believes education is the most powerful tool for changing the world. 

My advice to students is to find something they are passionate about and live out that purpose in everything they do because passion and purpose go hand in hand. You may land many jobs in your life, but nothing compares to finding and doing what you love. 

Veronica Warren, Ph.D.

Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Delight B. Yokley, Ph.D.

Assistant Provost for Student Success
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Delight Yokley is a seasoned higher education leader with over 15 years in advancing academic and outreach programs that promote student retention and success. Specializing in building collaborative networks, she has a proven track record of enhancing support for students, especially those from underrepresented or at-risk groups. She currently serves as the Assistant Provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she is working on the University’s QEP focused on building learning communities for first-year students. Previously, she was the Dean of the Learning Commons at the University of Mount Olive.

Dr. Yokley holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education, with a certificate in Educational Research from Virginia Tech, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State University, and a B.A. in History from Messiah College. Outside work, she enjoys reading and international travel.

Piece of Advice:

College is a unique opportunity to discover who you are and find your voice. Take the time to meet new people, explore different perspectives, and learn about your strengths, passions, and values. This is a special time in life to focus on stepping into who you are becoming, as it lays the foundation for the journey ahead.