Leading the Team

Stephanie Simpson believes being an alumni volunteer is more than a title. It’s a mindset. As she steps on the court as UT Alumni Association Board of Governors president on July 1, she’s challenging fellow alumni to suit up, step in and get involved.

“You can stand on the sidelines and participate in name only, just put it on your resume or go to an event every now and then,” Simpson says. “But you’re not going to get much out of it.”

Simpson thinks people will get as much out of something as they put into it, and that mentality shaped her journey across the UT System. She earned her undergraduate degree from UT Martin in 1986, where she immersed herself in the campus and forged lifelong friendships through Greek life.

After watching her brother earn his undergraduate degree at UT Knoxville, she went home, applied and a few months later moved to Knoxville to start the Master of Accounting program. After graduating in 1992, Simpson found her way to Nashville, where she resides with husband, Ted, and daughter, Kate.

Today, Simpson is a passionate alumna who’s remained deeply involved with the university through UT Promise mentoring, alumni chapter leadership and service on the UTAA Board of Governors.

“I’ve always felt like UT has been part of every chapter of my life,” Simpson says. “The more I’ve gotten involved, the more I’ve seen just how far the university’s reach really goes.”

In fourth grade, Simpson joined 4-H through UT Extension and remained involved through high school. The program pushed her out of her comfort zone and taught her how to meet new people, speak in front of an audience and find ways to connect with professors and community leaders.

“If I’m honest, I think 4-H prepared me for the world more than high school did,” Simpson says.

The idea that “UT is truly everywhere you look” is a message Simpson wants to amplify during her year as president—not only spotlighting the university’s statewide presence but also the role alumni can play in sharing that story.

“Every campus is different, and that’s something to celebrate,” she says. “There is something for everyone, and our alumni are the thread that connects it all.”

As president, Simpson hopes to highlight the many ways the university shows up in people’s daily lives and to encourage alumni to be part of the UT story. Seeing her leadership role as a team effort, she is inviting all alumni to join her. She encourages others to take part in ways that work for them, whether being on a board, serving as a mentor, attending events or sharing good news from the campuses.

“However you show up, just show up,” she says. “Don’t watch from the sidelines; be in the game.”

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2025 Faculty Award Winners

Each year the UT Alumni Association recognizes outstanding faculty and staff in three categories:

• The UTAA Distinguished Professorship award is used to attract and retain outstanding professors. Winners receive a $1,000 cash award for each of the three years and the title of distinguished service professor.
• The UTAA Outstanding Teacher awards are presented to faculty selected by their colleagues and students from all campuses. Winners receive a one-time gift of $1,000.
• The UTAA Public Service award recognizes faculty and staff who make substantial contributions to the welfare and good of the state or national public. Awardees receive a one-time gift of $1,000.