Haslam Event Gives Local High Schoolers Glimpse of UT

Preparing for college and planning for the future can be daunting to high schoolers, but the Office of Access and Community Connections (OACC) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business aims to make these processes less overwhelming. In late February, the OACC, in partnership with 865 Academies, hosted Knoxville-area 10^th graders from Farragut, Gibbs and Hardin Valley High Schools for an engaging, informative campus visit.

Lakietha Jackson, the OACC’s outreach and pre-collegiate coordinator, who arranged the event, explained that Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies initiative connects classroom learning to real-world career pathways, helping students explore high-demand fields while building college and career readiness, all activities the OACC strives to support.

“Through this visit, these students experienced firsthand the academic environment, resources and professional pathways available at UT and within Haslam,” Jackson said.

The College Experience and Pre-Collegiate Opportunities

Small student groups participated in three dynamic sessions highlighting possible majors and career pathways, as well as entrepreneurship and pre-collegiate engagement opportunities. The first session focused on majors offered at Haslam and career opportunities available to business graduates. Students gained insight into professional development resources, internships and how intentional planning can shape future success. The second session spotlighted Haslam’s Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and provided an absorbing overview of entrepreneurship and innovation. Students learned how creative problem-solving, leadership and business strategy intersect to transform ideas into impactful ventures. In the third session, Jackson shared information about early engagement initiatives and college access programs that support students on their journeys from high school to higher education.

The event concluded with Clayton Alexander, UT’s director of first-year recruitment, providing students with practical guidance on the college application process and what it means to become a Volunteer. Alexander said it is always a pleasure to speak to high school students about what UT can offer.

“Any opportunity I have to be in front of students, especially students from Knox County, who want to go to college is an opportunity to share the UT story and help prepare students for the application process,” he said. “It is my desire that students be well informed, encouraged, supported and connected to the university so they have a positive experience with favorable results.”

A Shared Commitment

Clarence Vaughn, director of the OACC, called the high schoolers’ visit, which ended with group photos and student reflections on what they learned in the program, a memorable occasion on Rocky Top. He added that the experience exemplified the shared commitment between Knox County Schools’ 865 Academies and Haslam’s OACC to cultivate early exposure, informed decision-making and future-focused leadership for high school students.

“By connecting students to majors, mentors and meaningful career pathways, the experience reinforced the importance of preparation, exploration and purpose in shaping the next generation of business leaders,” Vaughn said.

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CONTACT:

Scott McNutt, senior business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu

Contact

Scott McNutt

Business Writer/Publicist

rmcnutt4@utk.edu

Haslam College of Business - Haslam Event Gives Local High Schoolers Glimpse of UT