News & Events

Faculty Spotlight: Candice Adams

Candice Adams is a Teaching Associate Professor in the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS), where she brings deep industry expertise and a learner-centered approach to online education. Her teaching and research are grounded in data-driven decision-making and user-centered design. Adams is a ‘Triple Tiger,’ having earned her PhD, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees from…
Student Spotlight: Eileen Loebner

This week’s Student Spotlight is Eileen Loebner, a CECS Student Assistant, majoring in Applied AI. Continue reading to learn more about her and her time at CECS. What brought you to CECS? A big reason CECS grabbed my attention was because the of the size of the college. I am able to build meaningful relationships with…
Faculty Fellow Spotlight: Mehmet Aydeniz

Mehmet AydenizProfessor of STEMDepartment of Theory & Practice in Teacher EducationCollege of Education, Health, and Human Sciences As a Faculty Fellow with the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS), Mehmet Aydeniz has been instrumental in helping CECS build momentum during a period of growth and experimentation. A faculty member in the College of Education, Health,…
CECS Continues Momentum with Major Wins in Research and Workforce Development Funding

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) continues to accelerate its mission to expand access to future-focused education, research, and workforce development through several major grant awards this year. These competitive investments from federal agencies, statewide initiatives, and regional partners highlight CECS’s growing leadership in emerging technologies, K–12 talent pipelines, and research that strengthens…
Faculty Fellow Spotlight: Josh Rosenberg

Josh RosenbergAssociate Professor, STEM Education/ScienceDepartment of Theory & Practice in Teacher EducationCollege of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Dr. Josh Rosenberg is the longest-serving Faculty Fellow in the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) and one of the driving forces behind some of our most impactful initiatives. As a faculty member in the College…
Student Spotlight: Jonathan Aranzazu

This week’s Student Spotlight is Jonathan Aranzazu, a U.S. Army Veteran and CECS Student Ambassador, double majoring in Applied AI and Philosophy. Continue reading to learn more about him and his time at CECS. What brought you to CECS? I came here because I wanted an education that acknowledges complexity and the chance to treat…
Student Spotlight: Mackenzie Wildman

Mackenzie Wildman is a freshman at CECS, majoring in Data Science. She is a student ambassador. Keep scrolling to learn more about her and her time at CECS! What interested you about CECS? / What brought you to CECS? “I was interested in what CECS was doing in terms of being new. The thought process…
The future will be led by those who can speak data. Tennessee will train them

This article originally appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel on October 28, 2025. By Ozlem Kilic, Vice Provost and Founding Dean Data is everywhere, but only those who understand it can harness its power. It is now the language of progress, and fluency in that language is becoming the new literacy of the digital age. Every time…
Student Spotlight: Nyja Casey

Nyja Casey is a senior at CECS, majoring in Applied Artificial Intelligence, with a double minor in Data Science and UX Design. She is a Student Ambassador. Keep scrolling to learn more about her and her time at CECS! What interested you about CECS and what brought you here? I started out as an exploratory…
Katie Cahill and Nneka Walson Step into New Roles at CECS

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) is pleased to share two exciting personnel updates that mark the next phase of growth and collaboration within the college. Dr. Katie Cahill is stepping into her next big role in CECS as the Assistant Dean of Partnerships and Economic Development. Cahill has been instrumental in shaping…