President’s Awards
The President’s Awards represent the highest honor a UT employee can receive. Building on the many outstanding recognition programs at each campus and institute, this program celebrates exceptional faculty and staff from across the state. The awards spotlight success, elevate achievements and inspire a culture of excellence throughout the UT System.
About the President’s Awards
The UT President’s Awards program recognizes outstanding contributions of staff and faculty centered around the UT System’s Be One UT values. Honorees are selected each year from a systemwide pool of candidates nominated by campus and institute leaders. Commemorative and monetary awards are presented during an annual ceremony, and faculty and staff winners help select honorees in future years.
There are 14 statewide award winners, two from each category. Awards are presented to individuals who exhibit the behaviors associated with each goal.
2024 Honorees and Nominees
Bold and Impactful Honorees
Dr. David Shibata
Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery and Executive Director/Chief Medical Officer of the UTHSC Cancer Program, College of Medicine
UT Health Science Center
Dr. David Shibata serves as the Harwell Wilson Alumni Endowed Chair in Surgery and chair of the Department of Surgery at the UT Health Science Center, where he also leads as executive director and chief medical officer of the Cancer Program. Internationally recognized for his expertise in colorectal cancer, Dr. Shibata specializes in minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery and has deep experience with early-onset and hereditary cases. He serves on the board of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and contributes to national cancer guidelines. A leading researcher with NIH funding, Dr. Shibata has authored over 180 peer-reviewed publications and secured more than $30 million in research support.
Claire Paul
Assistant Professor, Division of Education and Program Coordinator, Special Education
UT Southern
Dr. Claire Paul, assistant professor and special education program coordinator at UT Southern, is a driving force behind efforts to strengthen rural communities and expand disability resources across Tennessee. Since joining UT Southern in 2021, she has led impactful initiatives, including founding the Rural Disability Resources Network (RDRN) to improve access to disability services for families in rural areas. She also launched the annual FIRE (Fostering Inclusion through Resource Efforts) Resource Fair in 2023 and plays a key role in maintaining national accreditation for UT Southern’s educator preparation programs. Her work supports both K–12 education and the UT System’s Grand Challenge to strengthen rural communities.
Ammar Ammar
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Technology and Information Security Officer
UT Health Science Center
Ammar L. Ammar, assistant vice chancellor and chief technology and information security officer at the UT Health Science Center, has played a key role in strengthening the institution’s cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. With nine years of service, Ammar led a proactive overhaul of security protocols to address rising cyber threats, protecting sensitive data and systems. His improvements to network speed and reliability have been critical to the success of the UT Health Science Center’s local and distance learning programs. His work supports both the institution’s technological advancement and its broader educational mission.
Embrace Diversity Honorees
Dr. Katy Chiles
Associate Professor, English
UT Knoxville
Katy Chiles, a professor at UT Knoxville and affiliate of the Africana Studies program, specializes in African American, Native American and early American literature. She teaches courses like Major Black Writers and the Antebellum Black Atlantic and has received both the UT Chancellor’s Research and Creative Achievement — Professional Promise Award and the UT Alumni Association’s Outstanding Teacher Award. Her scholarship has been featured in leading journals and supported by organizations such as the Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Her book Transformable Race was published by Oxford University Press, and she is currently working on a new project exploring race, collaboration and print history.
Angie Carrier
Program Manager, Municipal Management
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
UT Institute for Public Service
Angie Carrier is the municipal management program manager for the UT Institute for Public Service’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), serving east Tennessee communities since 2018. Known for her responsiveness and expertise, she helps cities navigate changes in state laws, especially those affecting purchasing limits, and provides valuable support in drafting resolutions and updating policies. With a master’s degree in city management and previous experience as Johnson City’s development services director, Carrier plays a vital role in helping municipalities stay compliant and effectively serve their residents.
Optimistic and Visionary Honorees
Joseph Ostenson
Professor, Department of Psychology and Interim Director, Center for Global Engagement and Experience
UT Martin
Dr. Joseph Ostenson developed UT Martin’s signature study abroad program in Siena, Italy, launched in 2017 to expand global opportunities for students typically underrepresented in international education — including those from low-income backgrounds, students of color and first-generation college students. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, his leadership has helped UT Martin offer study abroad experiences in agriculture, English, art and art history, psychology, nursing, pre-med and fashion. A faculty member since 2012, Dr. Ostenson holds a doctorate in theoretical psychology, with research centered on marriage through psychological, sociological, historical and religious lenses. His work reflects a deep commitment to equity, inclusion and student success.
Kari Alldredge
Vice Provost, Enrollment Management
UT Knoxville
Kari Alldredge serves as vice provost for enrollment management at UT Knoxville, where she leads key departments including financial aid and scholarships, undergraduate admissions, the registrar, One Stop and enrollment communications. Under her leadership, UT Knoxville has reached record enrollment levels in both size and academic quality. Alldredge has championed initiatives that enhance student success, support transfer students and improve the overall student experience. A strong advocate for college access, she believes in the transformative power of higher education and has served on numerous community and national education boards. In 2018, she was named one of Knoxville’s 40 Under 40 for her impact on the community.
Nimble and Innovative Honorees
Brian Stevens
Sr. Lecturer, Business Analytics and Statistics
UT Knoxville
Brian Stevens, senior lecturer and faculty director for technology-enhanced education in UT Knoxville’s Haslam College of Business, is a trailblazer in online teaching. Since starting as a teaching assistant in 2010, he has built a reputation for delivering engaging, accessible learning experiences. In 2019, he launched an interactive YouTube-based class format that allows students to participate in live streams, creating a dynamic virtual classroom. When the pandemic struck, he expanded this format to all his courses, ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality instruction. Stevens uses advanced tools like Open Broadcast Software, stream decks and gamification elements — including MuBot, the class mascot — to boost student participation and build a vibrant online community. His innovative approach continues to shape the future of business analytics education.
Dr. Mina Sartipi
Director, Research Institute
UT Chattanooga
Dr. Mina Sartipi is the founding director of the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP) and a Guerry Professor in computer science and engineering at UT Chattanooga. Her research focuses on data-driven solutions for smart city challenges in mobility, energy and health, supported by agencies like NSF, NIH, DOE, the state of Tennessee and industry partners. At CUIP, she leads cross-disciplinary projects to improve quality of life through urban innovation. A recognized leader in her field, Dr. Sartipi was named a 2019 Chattanooga Influencer and has received honors including the UT Chattanooga Outstanding Faculty Research Award and a Smart Cities Connect Smart 50 Award. She has presented at national forums such as the U.S. Congressional Caucus on smart cities and serves on boards for startups and nonprofits.
Excel in All We Do Honorees
Dr. Nicole Labbé
Assistant Director, Center for Renewable Carbon, School of Natural Resources
UT Institute of Agriculture
Dr. Nicole (Niki) Labbé is a professor of biomass chemistry and director of the Center for Renewable Carbon at the UT Institute of Agriculture. For over 20 years, she has advanced sustainable methods to fractionate and add value to lignocellulosic biomass. Labbé co-leads the Circular Bioeconomy Systems Convergent Research Initiative, a joint effort between the UT Institute of Agriculture and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She also serves as the UTIA lead on a National Science Foundation Engine Development grant aimed at building a circular bioeconomy innovation ecosystem in the southeast.
Brett Fuchs
Associate Dean of Students
UT Chattanooga
Brett Fuchs is known as a pillar of support for students at UT Chattanooga. In addition to his role as associate dean of students, he also oversees the Office of Student Conduct and the Office of Student Outreach and Support. He chairs the university-wide Case Assessment, Review and Evaluation (CARE) team and serves as the deputy Title IX coordinator. Fuchs has earned a great deal of trust, which is why he was chosen to lead the search committee for UT Chattanooga’s first associate vice chancellor of public safety. Whether he is fulfilling one of his many duties working with the Student Government Association or attending home football games without fail, Fuchs promotes genuine connections and camaraderie throughout the campus of UT Chattanooga.
United and Connected Honorees
Dr. Bruce Keisling
Shainberg Professor and Executive Director of the Center on Developmental Disabilities, College of Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Medical Education
UT Health Science Center
Dr. Bruce Keisling is a professor in pediatrics and medical education at the UT Health Science Center and executive director of the Center on Developmental Disabilities. A board-certified clinical child and adolescent psychologist, he leads key programs connecting Tennessee communities with the university, including the state’s largest Relative Caregiver Program and the first University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Nationally recognized in the disability field, Dr. Keisling has served as board president of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities and as a board member for both the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities and Disability Rights Tennessee. He also fosters leadership development as a facilitator with the UT Leadership Institute and the Leadership Academy for Excellence in Disability Services — the nation’s first disability-focused leadership training program in state government.
Brad Harris
Finance and Accounting Consultant
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
UT Institute for Public Service
Brad Harris is a finance and accounting consultant with the UT Institute for Public Service’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), where he supports cities across Tennessee and teaches extensively statewide. For over a decade, he has led the Certified Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO) program, helping strengthen local government financial management. Harris also teaches nationally for the Government Finance Officers Association and is dedicated to making a measurable impact in the hundreds of cities he serves each year. He currently serves as agency director for the Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders and was president of the Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association in 2022.
Transparent and Trusted Honorees
Dr. Karen Derefinko
Associate Professor, College of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine
UT Health Science Center
Dr. Karen Derefinko is a researcher at the UT Health Science Center whose work focuses on preventing and treating substance use, violence and risky sexual behaviors. She has led numerous studies exploring how mental health, personality and other factors influence these outcomes in both adults and children. Her research has resulted in four treatment manuals and several published treatment outcome studies. Dr. Derefinko designs tailored interventions for high-risk and underserved populations and has served as principal or co-investigator on large-scale studies. Her current research examines how stress and structural inequity contribute to early substance use in children. She also helps train the next generation of addiction medicine professionals through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Kaycee Edwards
Business Manager
UT Space Institute
Kaycee Edwards became a service aide at the UT Space Institute (UTSI), part of UT Knoxville, in January 2014. Over the years, she worked in different departments before taking on the role of business manager in the Horizon group in June 2019. As the business manager, Edwards is responsible for financial planning, purchasing and liaising with sponsors regarding business operations. Additionally, she has been involved in information security planning to comply with International Traffic-in-Arms (ITAR) protocols. Edwards’ expertise in enhancing financial tracking and planning practices has significantly contributed to strategic financial planning for the further development of hypersonic research at UTSI.