Winter 2023

In Tennessee, we find ourselves faced with seemingly intractable problems—ones that are large scale, complex and can lead to difficult futures for Tennesseans and their children. The University of Tennessee System selected three of these to address: K-12 education needs, substance misuse and rural community decline. We call these Grand Challenges.

In this issue, you’ll discover more about the challenges and what UT is already doing to address them. Will you join us? It will take experts from a myriad of areas working in concert to straighten what has been snarled.

A student works to machine a part in the Machine Tool Research Center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, during the ACE Bootcamp training.

Manufacturing Renaissance

If the manufacturing industry were a brick-and-mortar building, the sign on its window would read “help wanted.” UT Knoxville, however,…

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Deborah Reed works with a student as part of the Tennessee Reading Research Center.

Good Reading

Tennessee’s literacy story needs a happier ending. UT is helping to rewrite one.

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UT President Randy Boyd reads You Can't Buy a Dinosaur with a Dime to children during a Money Week class about financial literacy. Photo By Sam Thomas

UT Tackles Challenges

The UT System, with its statewide presence, people, expertise, resources and influence, is uniquely positioned to tackle grand challenges.

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Former Tennessee Governors Host a New Podcast Series

The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy launched You Might Be Right, a new podcast series hosted by…

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