News & Events

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…
Student Spotlight: Ben Wallace

Ben is a Sophomore at CECS, majoring in Data Science. He is a Student Ambassador. Keep scrolling to learn more about him and his time at CECS! What interested you about CECS? When I first toured the college before becoming a student, I knew I wanted to be a data science major, but I accidentally went to…
Student Spotlight: Kayla Stevenson

Kayla is a Senior at CECS, majoring in Applied Artificial Intelligence. She is a Student Ambassador. Keep scrolling to learn more about her and her time at CECS! What interested you about CECS? I was drawn to CECS because of its forward-thinking approach and strong focus on artificial intelligence. What stood out most was how…
How Tennessee can help close the cybersecurity jobs gap

This article originally appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel on October 8, 2025. By Ozlem Kilic, Vice Provost and Founding Dean Cybersecurity threats have moved from the shadows of the internet to shape the global economy, endanger national security, and reach into the daily lives of people from all corners of the world. In just 15 years, the…
Student Spotlight: Eric Castelan

Eric Castelan is a Senior at CECS, majoring in Applied Artificial Intelligence. He is our Lead Student Ambassador. Keep scrolling to learn more about him and his time at CECS! What interested you about CECS? I was drawn to CECS because of its focus on emerging technologies and its forward-thinking approach to education. Recognizing that…
Higher Ed Is More Relevant than Ever – The CECS Way

In nearly every public conversation about higher education today, one question looms large: Is college still worth it? It’s a fair question. Families are weighing the escalating cost of tuition against years of potential debt. Students are comparing the value of a degree with the speed and affordability of competency-based training alternatives or direct-to-work pipelines.…
University of Tennessee Secures $1 Million NSF Grant to Build Semiconductor Workforce Pipeline

Knoxville, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) has been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to prepare Tennessee’s high school students and teachers for careers in the rapidly growing semiconductor industry—one of the most critical sectors of the U.S. economy. The three-year project, Explorations: Tennessee Experiential Learning for Teachers and…