The UT Board of Trustees has once again approved an across-the-board, zero percent tuition increase for its campuses across the state. This marks the second time in the past three years that UT students and families will experience no increase in tuition.
“Rising inflation is hitting our students and families particularly hard,” UT Board of Trustees Chair John Compton says. “Due in large part because of Gov. Bill Lee and our Tennessee General Assembly’s historic higher-education budget of $137 million, we are in the fortunate position to keep tuition and mandatory fees flat for fiscal year 2022-23.”
Board members also heard about significant enrollment growth across the UT System, with nearly all campuses ranking in the top quartile compared to peer institutions. Led by a strong increase in enrollment at UT Knoxville in 2021, the UT System exceeded its goal of a 2 percent increase, achieving 2.7 percent. Four-year graduation rates increased 0.8 percent systemwide in 2021, and six-year graduation rates increased 2 percent.
UT System Earns 2022 Great Place to Work Certification
For the first time, the UT System has earned its certification as a great place to work.
The Great Place to Work Certification is determined by what current employees say about their experience working for the UT System, its campuses and institutes. This year, 72 percent of employees rated the UT System as a great place to work—15 points higher than the average U.S. company. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.
“We are excited about achieving this certification and even more thankful to our employees across the UT System for their feedback that made it possible,” UT System Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Dickens says. “While we enjoy this designation, we are intentional about being a great place to work by remaining responsive to the diverse needs of our employees.”
Hirschberg Joins UT System
Longtime economic development veteran Victoria Hirschberg has been named assistant vice president for research, outreach and economic development for the UT System.
Based in Nashville, Hirschberg serves as a liaison with local, regional, state and national economic development organizations and government agencies; partners with campus offices of research and economic development to develop relationships; and leads initiatives and programs to increase interaction between UT and industry and community members.
“Over the last 10 years, Victoria was involved in nearly every one of the auto sector-related relocations to Tennessee. She has worked with auto executives around the world,” UT System President Randy Boyd says. “Now, Tennessee wants to be the leader in electric vehicle, energy storage and mobility research. Victoria is the perfect person to be coordinating those efforts.”
