Abby Clark, a junior elementary education major at UTC, has been selected as the first preservice teacher to receive a fellowship from the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
Clark and other fellows will spend the next year visiting historic landmarks such as Gettysburg National Military Park, meeting Medal of Honor recipients and studying history from a teaching perspective, with the goal of better incorporating it into the classroom.
“It’s my first official professional teaching opportunity,” says Clark, a native of Franklin. “I’m incredibly grateful for the chance. Part of me still wonders, ‘Why me?’ but I’m excited. I know this experience will deepen my understanding of history and its importance.”
Clark will learn from two senior fellows, Becky Dubose and Brittany Haynes, who will serve as her mentors. Both teach in Hamilton County Schools.
Maranda Wilkinson, director of education at MOHC, says becoming part of a teaching community is essential for new educators.
“Coming into the teaching world right now is tough. Studies show that many teachers leave before five years in the classroom. We want to support those teachers and help them build their social networks. We’re excited to have Abby as part of this group.”
Wilkinson says the importance of Clark entering the workforce with this experience cannot be overstated.
“To have a fellowship on your CV as you’re walking into your first job is huge for a preservice teacher. We want to give back. As a teacher, I used to speak at industrial roundtables in our school district, the county and the Chamber of Commerce. We’d always say education is a community effort. It’s our job to give back and to ensure that education remains a community effort.”
Dietetics educator Mavadiya honored
Assistant professor Hemangi Mavadiya, who joined UTC’s faculty in August, has been named Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the Year by the Chattanooga Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The award recognizes excellence in teaching, mentorship and contributions to the preparation of future nutrition and dietetics professionals. CAND is a professional organization affiliated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Mavadiya teaches and advises students in UTC’s Master of Public Health nutrition and dietetics track. She’s a registered dietitian nutritionist and a national board-certified health and wellness coach, with prior experience as a clinical dietitian in Southern California. She holds a Master of Public Health in nutrition from Loma Linda University in California and earned her Ph.D. in public health from the University of California, Irvine.
“Receiving the Outstanding Dietetics Educator of the Year Award from the Chattanooga Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is especially meaningful to me because it reflects recognition from local nutrition and dietetics professionals who are directly engaged in education, practice and community health,” Mavadiya says.
Professor Eric Hungenberg, head of UTC’s Department of Health and Human Performance, says Mavadiya has made an immediate impact in the classroom.
“She’s hit the ground running,” Hungenberg says. “It’s rare to see a faculty member take such initiative in the classroom to adapt courses, innovate and design experiential learning opportunities.”
He says the recognition from CAND reflects both Mavadiya’s teaching approach and the department’s emphasis on applied learning and professional preparation.
“The Chattanooga Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has long supported our program, our faculty and our students,” Hungenberg says. “They care deeply about creating experiential learning opportunities, and the things Hemangi is doing exemplify that.”
Much of Mavadiya’s teaching and research focuses on small, actionable habits. Her research interests include diet-related behaviors, cancer survivorship and cancer epidemiology, with an emphasis on how modifiable choices influence long-term health outcomes.
“Small changes are important,” she says. “Research shows that starting a meal with protein or vegetables can help with satiety. These small shifts can add up over time.”
Associate professor Amir Alakaam, director of UTC’s MPH program, nominated Mavadiya for the award.
“Student feedback highlights her ability to translate complex nutrition concepts into clear, practice-based applications and to make challenging material approachable,” Alakaam says.
For Mavadiya, the recognition reinforces her commitment to teaching and student success.
“It feels good to be recognized for the work you put in and for what you love to do,” she says. “I came here as a new faculty member, and now I feel connected to the community and to my students.”
UTC expands campus safety precautions
UTC has announced a partnership with 911Cellular to deploy a new emergency notification and incident management system.
Safe@UTC, the new campus safety smartphone app, provides students, faculty and staff with direct access to safety resources. The app allows users to connect with UTC Police through a one-touch panic button, anonymously report suspicious activity, initiate a remotely monitored Safe Walk, request a Safe Ride and quickly access other campus resources.
The app is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
For emergency responders, the system provides real-time situational awareness, including precise location details, shared maps and other critical information. Incident-specific alerts help route information to the teams best equipped to respond, supporting faster action and improved coordination.
“The 911Cellular Safety Platform and the Safe@UTC app are tools to help students and employees feel safe anywhere, anytime,” says UTC Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety and Chief of Police Sean O’Brien. “Don’t wait until an emergency to download the app.”
As part of the expanded safety infrastructure, UTC is also introducing additional on-campus safety options for employees, including wearable, computer-based and wall-mounted panic buttons. Like the Safe@UTC app, these tools connect with campus security to support a coordinated response during critical situations.
The app and related safety tools are being deployed in partnership with 911Cellular, whose safety solutions are used in thousands of facilities across the country and internationally.
UTC serves approximately 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
Source: UTC