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To Better Serve Students & the Community, UTC Builds 'Bridges Beyond the Classroom'

UTC

Speaking at a celebration of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's 131st birthday, UTC Chancellor Dr. Steve Angle outlined UTC's future as the institution fulfills its strategic plan's goals.

One of those goals--increased student involvement in internships--could impact businesses in the region. In coming years, every student in every major may be required to work an internship or have a similar real-world experience to round out of his or her education.

Delivering his annual State of the University Address, he touted "active, collaborative learning" as being at "the heart" of the UTC experience. In other words, bridges beyond the classroom.

"The bridge from an interest in a subject," he said, "to being a master in it. Bridges from classroom learning to problems and impact. Bridges that connect UTC to our community."

 
He says students look at their coursework differently when they see, through firsthand experience, what goes on in a business. And such involvement helps businesses see UTC students as potential employees.

 
"It’s kind of like looking at a physician who’s going to operate on you," he said. "Do you want him to have read about it, or have done it?"

 
Dr. Angle spoke in front of a $70 million campus housing site currently under construction, which will be able to house 600 students when it opens in the Fall of 2018. Current housing is full, enrollment is up to around 11,500 students, and graduation rates are up as well.