Industry Partners
Developing the workforce of the future
CECS works closely with industry partners to understand workforce needs, address the emerging talent gap, and provide students with real-world hands-on experience in the workforce.
CECS + Industry
The unique partnership between CECS and industry allows students to gain valuable real-world experience while also giving industry an opportunity to influence curriculum and cultivate the workforce of the future.
There are a number of ways industry can partner with CECS, including classroom participation, curriculum development, experiential learning opportunities, and beyond.
Project-Based Learning
A core mission of CECS is to create opportunities for students to gain real-world work experience while pursuing their degree. Through the project-based curriculum modules, industry partners can provide use cases and projects that can be developed into learning outcomes for students.
Classroom Participation
CECS invites industry professionals into the classroom as both guest speakers and adjunct professors. Classroom participation is an opportunity for students to learn from experts actively working in career fields of interest.
Philanthropic Impact
For external partners who are aligned with the CECS mission, there are opportunities to provide gift funds that can be stewarded to continue growing and enhancing CECS academic programs. Philanthropic support of these new initiatives allows the CECS team to reach a larger audience of both students and industry partners to develop robust workforce and talent pipelines.
Career Catalyst
CECS hosts an annual Career Catalyst event bringing together higher education and industry professionals to discuss the needs of the changing workforce and how higher ed can help address those needs.
Industry Partnership Details
There are several opportunities for industry to partner with CECS.
Board of Visitors
The CECS Board of Visitors is comprised of leaders from industry and the community. The mission of the Board of Visitors is to set forth the basic guiding principles and engagement opportunities for CECS to align curriculum and student experiences with emerging talent needs. The Board helps inform CECS leadership and faculty of the changing technology landscape of the market aids in developing programs serve our students, industry partners, and underrepresented groups in the community.
Program Advisory Committees
The CECS Program Advisory Committees are comprised of subject matter experts and industry professionals who will provide strategic input to specific academic programs. These engagements are intended to further align curriculum with workforce needs and enhance classroom content.
RISE Student Mentorship Program
The Responsive Industry Support Ecosystem (RISE) Mentorship Program gives students the opportunity to meet with industry leaders and professionals in career fields of interest. The RISE Program pairs industry subject matter experts and mentors with CECS students seeking career guidance and to develop their professional network. The program will also give employers an opportunity to meet with talented students seeking internships or employment opportunities upon graduation.
Career Pathways (PATH) Certificate*
The PATH Certificate is a 12-credit hour, industry-customized certificate offered to CECS students of academic distinction seeking internship, co-op opportunities, and career experience. PATH prepares students for internships within sponsoring employer operations and allows the student to count work experience towards their degree. Learning modules are project-based with real-world use-cases developed in coordination with industry partners.
*Certificate is in development for Fall 2025.
Board of Visitors
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Ramon Padilla, Jr.
Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Digital Innovation, University of Tennessee System
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Visioning The Future of Higher Ed – Industry Partnerships
Industry leaders share their talent needs of the future and how higher ed can fulfill them through partnerships with industry.
UT CECS is reinventing the approach to higher education curriculum today, to lead tomorrow and many years to come. Prioritizing in-demand emerging technologies with input from Industry Partners as the educational focus, UT students will come better prepared to enter the workforce and make an immediate impact where our clients need it the most.
Chris Gambill
Accenture Knoxville Operations Lead and CECS Board of Visitors member
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