University model

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) is a viable institution to have an OWEA pilot program. UTC’s vision, mission, and core values align well with OWEA’s mission. With proper regional and global support UTC would be positioned well to have a pilot program that supports OWEA’s initiative and values.

UTC had been a private institution for 83 years when it joined the University of Tennessee's system of statewide campuses. UTC retains the best aspects of that private tradition, yet offers all the resources of a modern public university. Since its founding as Chattanooga University in 1886, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has developed an institutional excellence which rests on an unusual blend of the private and public traditions of American education.

Located near downtown Chattanooga, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is one of a growing number of institutions characterizing themselves as "metropolitan universities." The metropolitan university mission includes a dedication to meeting the general and professional educational needs of area residents, strong community involvement and leadership, and emphases on applied research and public service.

People appreciate UTC not only because of the excellent facilities, but because of its beauty, the trees, flowers, and architecture. And, most of all, the genuinely nice people.

UTC has approximately 840 faculty members who serve over 10,500 students from every state in the US and from countries from Australia to Zambia. UTC offers approximately 143 Baccalaureate degree programs, 50 minors, and 72 Graduate degree programs.

Vision

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is recognized as a premiere metropolitan university, known for its outstanding undergraduate and graduate academic programs, scholarly and creative achievements, diversity and inclusiveness, and critical partnerships that take advantage of our setting to provide solutions to global concerns.

Mission

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is an engaged, metropolitan university committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service, and dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of the region through strategic partnerships and community involvement.

Core Values

In fulfilling our mission, we are committed to our core values:

Preparing for the Future

• The development of ethical and socially responsible leaders, professionals, scholars, and citizens
• The creation of opportunities for those who seek truth, knowledge, and higher quality of life

Education and Engagement

• Excellence in teaching within a student-focused, supportive, and challenging environment
• Achievement and national recognition in research, scholarship, and creative endeavors
• Effective partnerships that provide meaningful involvement in educational, economic, and community development

Positive Institutional Environment

• A collegial, mutually respectful, and professionally rewarding environment
• Broad diversity of people and ideas to strengthen our institution and community
• Reasonable and affordable access to quality higher education

Pilot Program Goals

Our goal is to develop a comprehensive educational model that provides a holistic method to teach web media education.

This model will enable:

• instructors to remain vital industry professionals, thus allowing them to be current with trends and technologies,
• maintenance and enhancement of relationships between education and industry, and
• students to learn and practice relevant skills and technologies in the fields of web design and web development.

Inclusion of InterAct curriculum

The University of Tennessee was the first University to adopt aspects of the InterAct curriculum. UTC currently incorporates aspects of the following InterAct courses within their curriculum:

• Internet Fundamentals
• Web Design 1
• Web Design 2
• Accessibility
• Digital Design Production
• Internship
• Independent Study
• Professional Development

Aspects of these courses have been included in UTC courses such as: Visual Literacy of Graphic Design, Web Media I, Web Media II, Professional Practices of Graphic Design, Independent Study, Internship, and Processes and Materials of Graphic Design.

Future Plans

As the InterAct curriculum continues to expand to include new courses, new assignments, and other curricula like the Web Standards Curriculum and Juku, we will continue to incorporate these materials into our courses. The ultimate goal is to have a full-fledged pilot program at UTC. This will depend on strengthening relationships between the University and industry and having a commitment of support and resources from industry. With financial, equipment, and personnel support UTC will be positioned to have a pilot program that supports OWEA’s goals and to more comprehensively assess the InterAct curriculum.

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