A Knoxville native, Sara Seaman took art classes in high school but decided to pursue business at the college level. She fell in love with the university on a campus visit and decided to apply.

I always felt in school that there wasn’t enough interface with the faculty outside the classroom, and it would be so beneficial for education.

Ashley Brooks is no stranger to hard work and well-earned results, but she says that as a first-generation college student, building a community and having mentors she could rely on have been essential to her success.