Katherine Winningham Aikens

The Tennessee Tech Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Plan is a strategic, evidence-based document designed for students, faculty, and staff. It outlines a multi-faceted approach encompassing universal, selective, and indicated prevention, promotion, intervention, treatment, and postvention strategies. The plan aims to support the campus community by promoting healthy development, fostering resilience, and contributing to overall well-being, grounded in research and best practices.

The meeting included presentations and discussions regarding student achievements and areas for improvement. Student trustees presented on the success of the Tennessee Eagle Works Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, featuring the second-place team who detailed their 'Beginner Chef' kit concept aimed at college students, including costs, profit margins, and future plans. The student trustee report highlighted record-breaking achievements in athletics (11-win football season), national recognition from publications like US News and World Report and Forbes, and a record $48 million in externally funded research, including a $1.3 million DOE grant for nuclear science research. Student feedback indicated strong feelings of community (78%) and satisfaction with faculty accessibility (86% found academic advising helpful). Areas identified for improvement included parking issues related to construction, campus shuttle reliability where app data conflicted with actual arrival times, and issues with Wi-Fi reliability in the library and library operating hours.

The document pertains to the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony. Key discussions included welcoming attendees, noting that President ODM was unable to preside due to illness, and introducing Tom Payne who performed his duties. The ceremony featured an invocation by Dr. Robert Owens, the national anthem performed by the Tennessee Tech Corral, and recognition of Dr. James Akinson, who is retiring after 52 years of service. Speakers included Melinda Mott Leftwitch (Class of '91, founder of Game On Accessible Tennis), Matt Mlanahan (Alumni Association's 2025 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award winner), and Candace Clift (Class of '95, Emmy award-winning journalist). The commencement also honored student veterans and those receiving commissions as second lieutenants. The speakers emphasized themes of perseverance, tenacity, kindness, and the value of a Tennessee Tech degree.

The meeting was called to order to address housekeeping matters, specifically making a determination of necessity for members to participate electronically due to a lack of a physical quorum present at the meeting location. The determination was based on the need to approve real property acquisition/construction, meet a January 16th State Building Commission agenda item deadline, and other necessitating circumstances. The primary substantive discussion focused on approving a disclosed project for the construction of the University Tower at the intersection of University Drive and Wilmore Way, estimated at $2.7 million, to be primarily funded by designated gift funds from an anonymous donor. Trustees discussed the scale, the need to proceed to hire an architect for full design, and confirmation that the board would review the final design before completion.

The meeting addressed several committee matters, beginning with the Executive Committee, which approved the minutes from the September 25th meeting and appointed Dr. Katie Akens as the Interim Vice President of Student Affairs. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee subsequently convened, approved its minutes, and discussed the appointment of Allan Foster to the committee. The Provost reported on the Quality Assurance Funding Score, noting a score of 93, comparable to the previous year, and discussed the status of the SACSCOC accreditation reaffirmation, noting strong progress ahead of the 2026 site visit. The committee also addressed the academic program modification to elevate Artificial Intelligence (AI) from a concentration within Computer Science to a standalone Bachelor of Science major, citing significant student interest trends in AI and cybersecurity fields.