2026-2027 John C. Stophel Distinguished Students

The Rollins College of Business John C. Stophel Distinguished Student Award is presented annually to recognize high potential business students who have made significant and meaningful civic contributions to UTC and the Rollins College of Business while maintaining a strong academic record.

Students must provide evidence of exceptional extracurricular leadership and community service. Community engagement evidenced by a pattern of strong contributions to the Rollins College of Business, UTC, civic organizations is highly valued, as well as activities resulting in lasting impact and quantifiable results. Award recipients must be an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Business.

 

Professional headshot of Dylan DeHart

Dylan DeHart

Dylan is a senior Business Finance student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is deeply involved on campus and in the local community, primarily serving as the President and Chief Investment Officer of the SMILE Fund, a student-managed investment fund with approximately $4.5 million in assets under management and over 150 members. Dylan is also entering his third year as a Resident Assistant, a role that allows me to support our on-campus community while continuing to develop my leadership skills.


Currently, Dylan is expanding his professional experience as an Investor Relations Intern at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). He is incredibly passionate about finance, community engagement, and building a strong foundation for a successful career.


Although he has become deeply rooted in the Chattanooga community, Dylan actually grew up in a military family and moved 18 times before finally calling this city home. He is excited to see where  his current experiences lead and look forward to ideally launching my post-graduate career at TVA.

Professional headshot of Reagan Frase

Reagan Frase

During her time at UTC, Reagan understood the importance of leadership and service through organizations on campus. She served as Vice-President for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Director of Community Service & Vice-President of Chapter Operations for Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), and President Elect for Dean's Student Advisory Council (DSAC). She was also a Rollins Scholar and served as a mentor for the freshman Rollins Scholars.

Thankful for the opportunity to have hands-on experience in Human Resources, Reagan served as HR Intern for Walden Security and Motherson SAS. Over the summer, she was a part of the Honors Internship Program with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) where she gained a diverse experience in HR. Through these internships, Reagan has had the opportunity to fully understand and immerse herself in the world of HR. Additionally, she served as the TN FBLA State Officer Coach where she mentored and led the current TN FBLA State Officers throughout their term. In this role, Reagan prioritized building them up as leaders and encouraging them to be their best professional self before entering life after high school.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Reagan plans on pursuing her Master's Degree. She aspires to become a Human Resource Manager and continue to prioritize servant leadership and compassion towards all. 

Professional headshot of Ainsley Henderson

Ainsley Henderson

Ainsley is a senior from Franklin, TN, currently studying accounting and business analytics in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. She plans to graduate in May 2027.

Balancing academics and extracurriculars, Ainsley has maintained a 4.0 GPA and Dean’s List recognition every semester at UTC thus far while staying involved in various organizations. She spent three semesters conducting stock research for the SMILE Fund, starting as a junior analyst and quickly progressing to lead analyst in the Technology Sector. In Spring 2026, Ainsley volunteered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the first time, and she spent roughly 84 hours over the course of the semester preparing tax returns and connecting with local taxpayers. She is also currently a student member of IMA and Beta Alpha Psi.

Outside of RCOB, Ainsley is a Brock Scholar and stays involved in the Honors College as a production editor for the NCHC Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA). She also participated in honors travel seminars that gave her the opportunity to explore the U.K. in 2024 and Japan in 2026 with her peers and faculty.

Ainsley’s professional experience through her fellowship with EPB’s Strategic Research team continues to sharpen her critical thinking, data analysis, and communication skills. Upon graduation and the completion of her undergraduate honors thesis, Ainsley will begin her journey toward CPA licensure as she seeks to put her education and unique experience to use in the accounting field.
 

Professional headshot of Jayda Turner

Jayda Turner

Jayda is a senior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, majoring in Human Resource Management. Originally from Knoxville, TN, she has immersed herself in the UTC and Chattanooga communities through leadership, service, creativity, and professional experiences.


During her time at UTC, Jayda has been actively involved in several campus organizations and leadership opportunities, including Student Government Association, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, NAACP, and other student organizations. She is also the founder of Her Wellness at UTC, a women’s health organization dedicated to promoting education, advocacy, and access to resources surrounding women’s physical, mental, and reproductive health.


Alongside her academic and leadership experiences, Jayda is a freelance photographer and the owner of her own photography business. Her business has allowed her to develop her creativity, communication, professionalism, and entrepreneurial skills while building a brand of her own.


Professionally, Jayda has also gained real-world experience through her internship with Unum, where she has developed skills in human resources, employee leave operations, communication, and workplace support. These experiences have strengthened her passion for working with people and creating positive workplace environments.
 

Professional headshot of Briana White

Briana White

Briana is currently a senior at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, pursuing a degree in accounting with a minor in Innovations in Honors (IIH).


While at UTC, Briana has remained actively involved in organizations that support both the university and the Chattanooga community. She serves as the Social Media Officer for Beta Alpha Psi, the UTC student influencer for the Tennessee Society of CPAs, an academic coach, and a member of the Student Accounting Advisory Board. Through these roles, Briana has strengthened her leadership, communication, and community engagement skills while representing the Rollins College of Business.


Through the Innovations in Honors program, Briana participated in a two-semester, community-focused project in collaboration with the City of Chattanooga. She helped develop a mentorship initiative, coordinated with community stakeholders, and contributed to a set of recommendations designed to support the project’s continued development. At the conclusion of the project, Briana and her team presented their work to community leaders at Chattanooga City Hall.


Briana has gained experience in public, corporate, and governmental accounting through several internships and professional opportunities. Most recently, she completed a corporate tax internship with Unum, where she supported quarterly tax processes, conducted tax research, and developed tools to improve the consistency and efficiency of the team’s work.
 

Gary W. Rollins College of Business

Gary W. Rollins College of Business