The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities has elected University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chancellor Steven Angle to its board of directors. CUMU is a consortium of presidents and chancellors of member institutions.
Angle, who assumed his role as UTC chancellor in 2013, was one of four new members-at-large chosen to two-year terms, joining University of Houston-Downtown President Loren Blanchard, Florida International University President Kenneth Jessell and Rutgers University-Camden Chancellor Antonio Tillis.
“CUMU has long been committed to ensuring that colleges and universities enhance the communities in which they are located through education, research and service,” says Angle. “I’m excited to share and learn about the best practices of our member institutions across the nation.”
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Towson, Maryland, CUMU works to build connections across its membership to create and share knowledge on the issues that face urban and metropolitan campuses and the communities they serve.
CUMU’s 118 members represent public and private institutions in 52 metropolitan areas.
Leadership Tennessee NEXT Class VIII announced
Leadership Tennessee has selected five Hamilton County individuals to join its eighth Leadership Tennessee NEXT cohort.
Leadership Tennessee NEXT offers early-to-mid career professionals personal and professional development and fosters a deeper understanding of the state. Over the span of four months, participants travel to sessions in each grand division and learn about the most pressing issues while strengthening their professional skills.
Hamilton County participants will include Penn Brafford, chief business officer for Variable; Micah Chapman, connectivity ambassador for Tech Goes Home; Xavier Cotto, a consultant on culture, inclusion and performance at Tennessee Valley Authority; Shaquanta Locke, manager of supplier diversity at Volkswagen Group of America; and Chrissy Mincy, an attorney with Mincy Law.
Blood Assurance honors Hakeem for donations
Blood Assurance this month recognized a state lawmaker from Tennessee for donating his 10th gallon of whole blood.
Blood Assurance CEO J.B. Gaskins awarded State Rep. Yusuf Hakeem of Chattanooga with a certificate to commemorate the milestone donation.
“Blood Assurance is proud of Rep. Hakeem and his yearslong commitment to saving lives. We’re grateful for our elected leaders who take meaningful action in order to better the lives of their constituents. Donating blood is a prime example of that.”
Dating back to 2001, Hakeem has donated with Blood Assurance 80 times.
“I was taught to treat people the way I would like to be treated,” says Hakeem. “If I need blood in the future, I want to be in the position of having already given to others. I hope some will follow my example to donate blood and help those in need.”
Schedule a donation at www.bloodassurance.org/schedule. Walk-ins are welcome.
Ivy Academy’s Patti joins training advisory committee
Ivy Academy Chattanooga board vice president Dr. Patti Skates will serve as a member of the Tennessee State Board’s School Board Training Advisory Committee in 2024. The state board approved the training courses that local school board members and charter school governing body members complete to meet their annual training requirements.
Skates holds a doctorate in educational leadership and is a retired Hamilton County educator. She has received numerous awards in education and civic service including the National Academy Teacher of the Year, Tennessee Social Science Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities and the U.S. Army Civilian Award of Service.
Skates has served as the Hamilton County Social Studies Textbook Committee chair and was the first woman elected to the Soddy-Daisy city commission.