Becoming a Volunteer has always been a goal for Halei Lamb.
“The University of Tennessee has always been the dream,” Lamb, 33, said. “I just never thought it would be possible at this stage of life.”
When she enrolled in the new online Bachelor of Science in Communication and Information (BSCI) program at the College of Communication and Information (CCI), she thought being a University of Tennessee, Knoxville, distance education student was a great alternative to studying on Rocky Top.
She knew being an online student comes with some limitations, such as fewer opportunities to form connections with her peers and professors. That’s why Lamb was grateful to receive an email inviting her to apply for the spring 2026 networking trip to Atlanta with CCI.
“When I started classes in January, I wasn’t having much luck making connections beyond the traditional discussion boards and occasional emails with classmates for help purposes with classwork,” Lamb said. “Then came an email about this trip. I thought, ‘I can kill three birds with one stone.’ I saw it as an opportunity to get to know some of my classmates, meet professors, and bring back some knowledge for my day job.”
Staff at the College of Communication and Information (CCI) strive to, whenever feasible, make distance education students feel at home at UT, as if they were physically on campus. CCI Assistant Dean for Online Learning Alexis Anderson said, unlike traditional campus students, distance education students come from a wide range of backgrounds and ages and could be a fresh high school graduates or their own kids are graduating from high school.
“In CCI we want to meet our students where they are, whether that means launching a career or switching to one that fits them best,” Anderson said.
Lamb said the BSCI program’s commitment to treat distance education learners like in-person students, in as many ways as possible, is one of the things she likes most about it. She didn’t expect to be able to go on a networking trip with CCI, but they made the necessary accommodations to ensure she had the opportunity.
Lamb said some of her favorite moments from the trip included visiting Truist Park, home of Major League Baseball team the Braves. As a lifelong Braves fan, it was special, but she said learning about the organization through a professional lens was enlightening.
She also enjoyed spending time with other students and networking with professionals, especially at Delta Airlines headquarters. She added, of all the organizations she visited, that was one where she could visualize herself pivoting to professionally.
Lamb encourages other distance education learners to take advantage of opportunities such as CCI’s networking trips, if feasible.
“You gain real industry insight, build meaningful connections, and get guidance on how to bring those two things together,” Lamb said. “The alumni reception alone is worth going for. Getting to talk to your fellow CCIers and making those connections gives you a glimpse of what’s possible and helps you kickstart a network that will last well beyond your time as a student. I can’t wait to be an alumna myself and be on the other side of this trip, sharing my experience and offering my business cards to help college kids find their way.”
Taking Advantage of CCI’s Newest Online Program
Lamb’s college journey hasn’t been linear, but she always held out hope of earning a college degree. Once her son, Evan, was born, she became even more determined to achieve that goal.
“I want him to be proud of me,” Lamb said. “I want to be the expectation, not the exception, when it comes to having a college degree in our family.”
Lamb views the BSCI program as a way to formalize the various real-world knowledge she accumulated from working in journalism and local government. She wanted to better understand the theory behind the communication skills she already practices.
For eight years Lamb worked in news, starting in newspaper before transitioning to broadcast as a producer of Good Morning Augusta, a daily newscast on WJBF-TV in Augusta, Georgia. After her son was born, she left the news industry for a better work-life balance. She now serves as the county clerk in Emanuel County, Georgia, where in addition to clerical duties she leads the office’s communication efforts. This includes writing press releases and managing the office’s social media accounts and its website.
In addition to its commitment to treating distance education learners much like in-person students, Lamb said she is grateful for the BSCI program’s flexibility. The program is asynchronous, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace and without requirements to attend an online class at a specific time.
Lamb said the coursework is practical and relevant. Some of the content directly translates into her day-to-day work and helps her think more strategically about messaging, workflows, and public engagement. It also has her thinking about the opportunities that might open because of her new degree and knowledge. She could see herself continuing to grow at her current job, stepping into a larger communications role, leading a team one day, exploring opportunities in crisis communications with an organization like the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA)for weather-related crisis events, or even moving into teaching. She definitely recommends the program.
“To students like me, I know life is full. I know it gets overwhelming. There will be moments where you question why you signed up for one more thing. But keep going. It will be worth it,” Lamb said. “And to anyone considering the BSCI program: chase the dream, especially if it leads you to Rocky Top.”