by Ryan Egly
Communities that win in today’s economy do two things well: they grow their own talent, and they keep that talent learning. That is why the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is doubling down on our partnership with the University of Tennessee Southern.
UT Southern is building real momentum. This past fall, the university reported total enrollment of 1,132 students, an 8.2 percent increase, with transfer enrollment up 44.2 percent year over year. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission also highlighted UT Southern as the leading university in Tennessee for headcount growth in Fall 2025.
Enrollment growth matters, not just for the campus, but for the whole region. More students and more programs translate into a stronger talent pipeline for local employers, and more reasons for young people to build their future right here.
Last week, we had the opportunity to take that partnership from concept to action. The Lawrence County Chamber facilitated industry tours and a stakeholder lunch with UT Southern Chancellor Melinda Arnold, PhD, UT Southern Chief of Staff Olivia Officer, and Victoria Hirschberg, Assistant Vice President and Chief Economic Development Director for the UT System. The purpose was simple: align what our employers need with what our university can deliver, then build the relationships to make it stick.
We are grateful to the local companies that opened their doors and showcased what manufacturing in Lawrence County can look like at its best. Thank you to Rick’s Barbecue, Modine Manufacturing Company, and Magna International for hosting our group. Their hospitality gave our university leaders a firsthand look at the scale of opportunity here and the kinds of skills our employers need now and will need next. This is one of the first of many engagements we intend to facilitate between UT Southern and local industry, and we look forward to building connections with additional employers across the county.
“Partnerships with employers are essential to how we deliver on our mission at UT Southern,” said Chancellor Melinda Arnold, PhD. “When we work directly with industry, we ensure our students are gaining the skills that matter, while also creating clear pathways for employers across our region to grow and retain talent. This is how we build opportunity that stays local and strengthens our communities.”
These visits are about creating a pathway for businesses to partner with the university to upskill our existing workforce. Local employers can work with UT Southern to secure continuing education for their workers, including a 25 percent tuition discount and the first class free. This is accomplished by signing a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, between a business and the university. It is a practical tool that can help employers retain talent, promote from within, and keep pace with changing technology and industry demands.
If you are an employer, I encourage you to explore this opportunity. Investing in your people is not just a nice thing to do, it is a competitive advantage. And the best part is that this pathway is local, accessible, and built for working adults.
We are excited about what comes next. When a university and a business community move in the same direction, students win, employers win, and the entire county becomes more resilient. UT Southern’s growth is a strong signal. Our job now is to translate that momentum into more internships, more customized training, more employer agreements, and more graduates who choose to stay and build their life in Lawrence County.
Media Contact
Destiny Gobble, Communications & Hospitality Coordinator
destiny@lawcotn.com