Ellington

UTC has enjoyed record growth for six years and counting, with recent ACT data indicating more students making the Chattanooga campus their top choice. So with more than 10,000 students enrolled, how will UTC prepare to serve its next generation? By aiming for the middle.

This much-undervalued spot is exactly where UTC wants to be: large enough to enjoy the cache of a mid-sized campus yet small enough to retain personalized attention for students.

“We used to call UTC the best kept secret,” says Yancy Freeman, assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Services. “But in the past few years, I’d say the secret is getting out.”

As the student population grows, so do the opportunities on campus. Larger enrollmentnot only attracts research dollars and the addition of advanced degree programs, but also enriches student experiences by increasing diversity of ideas, says Freeman. And while this growth is exciting, it’s more than just a numbers game. UTC also considers the quality of its enrollment with benchmarks like retention and graduation rates—both of which are on the rise.