Growing up, Amber Lynn Carroll (‘13) knew she wanted to do something that honored her inner performer.
She also loved to write. So, when the School of Journalism and Media alumna discovered there was a career path combining both passions, she wanted in.
She joined her high school TV station and started covering sports. It felt completely natural. She then enrolled at Western Kentucky University before transferring to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism, and her passion for storytelling and serving the local community only grew.
It would eventually blossom into an award-winning career in journalism. Carroll fell in love with covering local people and their stories, adding that for her it’s the most rewarding aspect of the job.
Caroll was recently inducted into the 2025 Volunteer 40 Under 40 class. The Volunteer 40 Under 40 program celebrates UT alumni who are 40 or younger and have excelled personally and professionally since completing their degree.
“It is incredibly humbling,” Carroll said. “I am beyond honored to stand next to 39 of my Tennessee family and represent the University of Tennessee. It’s a dream come true. UT has always played a significant role in my life, and to be selected to join this legacy is surreal.”
Carroll said she found a family she never knew she had while at UT. She learned the industry from the most incredible professors.
“They really encouraged you to be who you are and that is what made the difference for me,” Carrol said. “I felt like I could embrace myself and my gifts because they always met me where I was.”
She also took advantage of some truly unique, hands-on experiences as a college student. Her favorite was covering the Lady Vols women’s basketball team. Carroll said to sit courtside and write about former Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt was priceless.
Carroll has worked in various media roles since leaving Rocky Top. She began working as a sports broadcaster and anchor for different media companies such as WACH (Fox 57) in South Carolina and WJCL (ABC) in Savannah, Georgia, covering everything from NCAA championships to youth sports. She also had the opportunity to host and produce the sports talk show The Better Half on Roku.
“I am a huge sports fan,” Carroll said. “Any chance I get, I love to talk about them. To be able to see the impact these athletes have on their communities is incredible. I really have no words for my love of sports because I feel like it’s just something that was born inside of me.”
She would later transition from covering sports to become an on-air host for MedWatch Today, a weekly health news TV show produced by KSEE (NBC 24) and CBS 47 in Fresno, California, and then the host of Living East Tennessee on WATE-TV in Knoxville. Carroll said she enjoys lifestyle TV, adding it’s basically everything she’s ever done rolled into one job.
Carrying The Torch
Along with being an accomplished journalist, Carroll is also a nonprofit founder and mental health advocate.
The day before shel competed in her first half-marathon, she received news that her brother, Jake, had died by suicide.
“I think I was in shock that this was happening and needed time to process and think,” Carroll said. “That’s where I fell in love with running. I felt like he was with me in spirit and for me, it was a way to show I must keep going.”
She did not stop there.
Inspired by a dream, Carroll started the nonprofit We Are Team Jake with help from her husband and parents. We Are Team Jake’s mission is to spread love and awareness about mental health.
“The growth my family has seen internally, the amount of impact we have felt through other families…we just feel humbled and honored to share our experience,” Carroll said “It’s not a ‘club’ you want to be in or that you ask for, but it’s one you must endure and utilize to be a light to others. Sometimes, we have to sit in the darkness to know what light feels like.”
In addition to working with her nonprofit, Carroll has infused mental health advocacy in other areas of her life, whether it is through her professional career, or using her platform as a former Mrs. Tennessee America and second runner up at the Mrs. America pageant.
She has served on the board and volunteered for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and has spoken at and hosted numerous events for various charities. She also currently serves on the board of directors for the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking.
“It’s my personal belief that being a light to others is our responsibility as humans,” Carroll said. “We have been given this gift of life, and we all have purpose. To share your purpose and to open your heart, we can help make our community a better place. I love my job for this reason because I have the privilege of working directly with the community and being an advocate.”