Kristen Gallant
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Shani Daily Brings Human-Centered Approach to Technology and STEM Education to UT
At the center of Professor Shani Daily’s research is a question extending beyond technology itself: How can institutions and technologies be designed to help more people thrive? Seeking answers to that question through scholarship resulted in Daily becoming one of the first of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s faculty preeminent hires—a university-wide initiative to continue building UT’s top-tier research through groundbreaking innovation and discovery. She…
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Tombras School Hosts Inaugural Showcase Highlighting Student Work, Faculty Research, and Industry Connections
The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations welcomed more than 100 students, alumni, faculty, and community partners to its first-ever Tombras School Showcase, an event designed to bring classroom learning to life and strengthen connections between the school and the industries it serves. The showcase featured student presentations, faculty research highlights, and an alumni…
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Curiosity Leads the Way: Samantha Ho Reflects on Her Journey in Information Sciences
For Samantha Ho, the path to graduation wasn’t always clear, but curiosity helped guide her to where she was meant to be. A Knoxville native, Ho chose to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for a simple reason: it felt like home. “I was born and raised in Knoxville and honestly chose UT because it’s…
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From Classroom to Career: Jonah Freedman Builds a Brand on and off the Track
As graduation approaches, Jonah Freedman reflects on a college experience defined by momentum both in the classroom and on the track. A public relations major in the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, Freedman spent the past four years not only earning his degree but also building a personal brand as a professional racer,…
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From Memphis to the Smithsonian: Paul Springer Jr. Bridges Public History and Information Sciences
For Paul Springer Jr., the path to a career in libraries and public history has been anything but linear, but every step has reinforced his commitment to preserving and expanding access to knowledge. Springer, who is graduating with his Master of Science in Information Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is also serving as…
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The Orange Room: Building the Future of Agency Experience at Tennessee
The Orange Room is more than a student organization—it is a living, working agency built by students, for students, with real clients and real impact at the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations. The agency is giving students real-world experience and helping them prepare for life after graduation, a strategic goal of the College of Communication and…
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Thura Mack Celebrates 45 Years of Impact at UT
For Professor Thura Mack (’86), the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is more than a workplace; it is the foundation of a 45-year journey defined by growth, service, and a deep commitment to students. An alumna of the School of Information Sciences, Mack’s path to UT began with a simple recommendation that would shape the course…
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A Student-Led Project with Real Impact: The Future of Human-Robot Interaction
As social robots and AI systems become more integrated into educational, professional, and daily environments, understanding those nuances will only grow more critical. In the School of Information Sciences, robotics research is not just about machines—it is about people. Three School of Information Sciences students have been working with Assistant Professor Jiangen He, examining how…
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Carrying the Torch: Morgan Vance and the Next Chapter of the Pat Summitt Foundation
Knoxville native Morgan Vance (’12) grew up believing her dreams were always within reach, thanks to the strong women role models lighting the way across the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and beyond. Today, Vance is doing her part to ensure others remember the legacies of those women while inspiring the next generation to create their…
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Tombras School Student Lands Spot in Tree Hut’s Inaugural Super Bowl Commercial
If you watched the Big Game on Peacock, or in select states, you may have seen a familiar face from the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations. Junior public relations major Lanie Draughon, also known as Lanie Kristin on social media, appeared in body care brand Tree Hut’s first-ever Super Bowl commercial. Draughon’s passion…