The Extraordinary Campus Leadership and Service awards recognize graduating students who are extraordinary campus leaders for their significant service to others.
Emily Bengyak
Emily Bengyak is a senior studying political science and public policy analytics. As a transfer student, Emily spent their short time at UT involved in a variety of organizations with a commitment to serving others. Emily is passionate about higher education access and success, especially for underrepresented and marginalized students.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“To me being a Volunteer means dedicating oneself selflessly to serving others, while understanding you may never benefit from the fruits of your efforts. During my time at UT, I was deeply aware of the privilege I had to learn and grow on this campus, while recognizing that many others are not afforded this opportunity. To truly serve the community, I believe a Vol reaches beyond the limits of this campus and advocates for underrepresented voices to be heard just as loudly as our own. When I came to UT two years ago, my goal was to gain the skills and confidence necessary to advocate for students who, like myself, have taken a non-traditional path through higher education. The mentors I found within the Baker School, the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, and the Department of Political Science believed in me whole-heartedly, something I will always be grateful for. I have been offered opportunities by faculty members that are too often out of reach for non-traditional and low-income students, which allowed me to grow and challenge myself. My time here has been formative and further deepened my belief that there will always be work to do to make higher education more accessible for all students, regardless of their background.”
What are your plans for after graduation?
“Following graduation, I will complete a fellowship with the Tennessee College Access and Success Network. I intend on enrolling in a Master of Public Policy program in 2025 and I am excited to continue to advocate for students in all of my future endeavors.”
Summer Bryant
Summer Bryant is double majoring in Advertising and Psychology with minors in Business Administration and Retail & Consumer Sciences. At UT, she has been involved in organizations including The Volunteer Team, Student Alumni Associates, Dean of Students’ Rocky Top Roundtable, as well as the founding of Women in Sports Collective UTK.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“Being a Volunteer involves going the extra mile to support your fellow Vols without expecting anything in return, whether it’s a small act of kindness or something much bigger. What makes UT special is being surrounded by other Volunteers; we’re all Vol here on-campus. Looking back on the past four years, I can whole-heartedly say I wouldn’t be who I am today without this university and the amazing faculty, staff, and fellow students who have continued to pour into me along the way. There’s truly no place like Rocky Top.”
What are your plans for after graduation?
“After graduation, I will be staying here on Rocky Top to continue my internship as Strategic Initiatives and Events Intern in the Visitors Center with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. I look forward to continuing to welcome prospective students to Rocky Top and sharing my love for my alma mater with our next class of Vols.”
Lindsey Campbell
Lindsey Campbell is a finance major from Chattanooga. She is leaving a large impact on campus as student body vice president and in the finance department where she serves as assistant director of the Masters Investment Learning Center, founding president of Excel Modeling Club, and holds membership in each finance organization.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“Being a Volunteer, means putting the University, student body, and Volunteer community first in every regard. It is leading with a servant heart and thinking about how you can make a lasting impact for future students. My time on Rocky Top has been shaped by those around me. As a freshman I looked up to the older students in the various organizations I was involved in. Those students exemplified the Volunteer Spirit as they pushed me to find my own passions and areas where I could be a leader on campus. Through my leadership on campus, I wanted to leave a lasting impact on my peers as those students did for me. Upon graduation, I know I will leave UT with the important lessons I have learned over my four years here so that I will remember what it means to be a Volunteer for life.”
What are your plans for after graduation?
“After graduation, I will be joining Lazard as an Investment Banking Analyst.”
Gracie Margaret Chiampas
Gracie Chiampas is a proud Greek-American young woman from Chicago, Illinois. She has been working towards her Bachelor of Science with a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Concentration and a Public Health Minor. She is a proud member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated, and Vols 2 Vols Peer Health Educators.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
To Gracie, being a Volunteer means spending your time or energy for the benefit of someone else’s happiness or well-being. She believes that if we all did one small act for others each day, the world would be a happier and healthier place. Gracie never imagined that she would become her sorority’s New Member Educator or get the chance to be a leader in health education through Vols 2 Vols, but her unique experience at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, led her to opportunities where she could follow her passions for volunteering and leadership in engaging and exciting ways.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After college, Gracie plans to study abroad in Athens, Greece, this summer. She plans on continuing her education by applying to physician’s assistant and graduate nursing programs. Her goal one day is to become a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner specializing in Reproductive Health or Fertility.
Josie Drumwright
Josie Drumwright is a Political Science and Public Relations major from Brentwood, Tennessee. She made her impact on campus by serving as the Student Services Director for the Student Government Association as well as serving on the UT Public Relations Student Society of America National Bateman Competition Team for two consecutive years.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“To me, being a Volunteer means putting others first. I used my campus positions to empower future leaders at UT, helping them to build and enhance the skills to be a great leader, which were instilled in me by preceding Volunteers. The University of Tennessee has not only given me avenues to be able to express my passion for leadership but also given me the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals to work with and aspire to.”
What are your plans for after graduation?
“After graduation, I will be attending Belmont Law School in Nashville.”
Tyler Johnson
Tyler Johnson is a Microbiology major from Walnut Creek, California. With no previous connection to Tennessee, he decided to attend UT sight unseen in the Fall of 2020. To find community, he joined Kappa Sigma and served in many positions, ultimately serving as the 2023 Interfraternity Council President.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“A Volunteer is someone who seeks to give so that others may be seen. I have learned what it feels like to have someone invest in me while not seeking compensation and I have been inspired to do the same. The joy I receive from watching people I have helped achieve great things far outweighs my own accomplishments. UT has fostered this through creating a culture that seeks to be the best while remembering our core intrinsic values.”
What are your plans for after graduation?
“After graduation, I hope to work for a business for a few years while I prepare for law school.”
Alay Mistry
Alay Mistry, a senior from Athens, TN, served UT as a Leadership Knoxville Scholar, UT Ambassador, Student Alumni Associate, Resident Assistant, and Vice President of the Student Dental Association. Through his involvement in Rocky Top Roundtable and as a Big Orange Give Ambassador, Alay promoted the importance of philanthropy at UT and helped positively shape the campus climate and culture.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“I believe being a Volunteer is a lifelong commitment to always be a guiding light of care, compassion, and courage for those around you, regardless of where you find yourself. I’m grateful to the university for surrounding me with a wealth of knowledge, inspiring mentors, shared experiences, and the alumni family because they empowered me to help individuals realize their potential at UT. For the past four years, Knoxville has truly been home sweet home to me where I learned to evolve into the selfless leader I am today and be a catalyst of change to promote evolution in my community. My journey, shaped by this university, is a shared victory, an ode to the sacrifices made by my parents who have been the driving force behind my success. Being surrounded by the Volunteer Spirit has allowed me to be the first in my family to graduate from a university and pursue a career in dentistry this fall at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis, TN. As I enter this noble profession, I carry with me the torch of excellence, a promise to continue giving light to others by creating a space where every individual feels valued and leaves with a big, happy smile. Finally, may these words serve as inspiration for your journey to success ‘To whom much is given, much will be required.’ Therefore, seize every opportunity to invest in the success and happiness of those around you. Go Vols!”
What are your plans for after graduation?
“After graduation, I plan to attend the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis to pursue a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Class of 2028.”
Marissa Trobl
Marissa Trobl is a senior from Morris, Illinois, studying Civil Engineering. While at UT, she has served in leadership roles within the Tickle College of Engineering through the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. She also has served as a teaching assistant and Engineering Student Ambassador.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“Being a Volunteer means embodying the spirit of selflessness and dedication to serving others. UT has equipped me with the tools, opportunities, and supportive community to make a meaningful impact. Through UT’s resources I have found my own confidence to create communities.”
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, Marissa plans to pursue her masters in Structural Engineering at UT and serve as a teaching assistant within the Civil Engineering department.
Mikele Vickers
Mikele Vickers is a senior student athlete on the women’s Track and Field team from Nashville, Tennessee. She has served as Student Athlete Advisory Committee co-president for two consecutive years, is a VoLeader alumna, a founding member of V.O.I.C.E. (new Student-Athlete Black Student Union), and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“To me, being a Volunteer means being a leader who serves. A Volunteer’s greatest attribute is freely serving and empowering others and I think that shows great integrity and humility. UT has inspired me to make a difference in a way I could not have imagined elsewhere by giving me so many opportunities to live up to my fullest potential as a student, athlete and leader. Because of these opportunities, I have been able to step out of my comfort zone as a once shy and quiet freshman to become a confident and extroverted leader all around campus. No other college campus could have made me feel accepted the way UT has and free to be my authentic self.”
What are your plans for after graduation?
“My plans after graduation are to earn a Master’s degree in social work while also pursuing a career in sports media.”
Grace Woodside
Grace Woodside is a senior psychology major with minors in honors leadership studies, sociology, social entrepreneurship, and interpersonal development. In her four years on campus, she’s been involved with the Jones Center for Leadership and Service, University Honors, Leadership Studies, and served the President of VOLthon this past year.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“It’s not a secret that UT has been rooted in a strong tradition of leadership and service. The Torchbearer’s Creed “One that beareth a torch shadoweth oneself to give light to others”, inspires us to lead with courage and compassion. To me, being a Volunteer means making a commitment to empowering others to bear the torch. In my four years here, I have received an incredible gift of mentorship from various student leaders, as well as faculty and staff members, I have had the immense privilege of having safe spaces to be challenged, uplifted, and empowered. To have people who care enough to help you grow through mistakes and obstacles is something I will forever be grateful for. I truly believe that if not for these people who embody the volunteer spirit, I would not have realized my ultimate passion for fostering growth in others. It is with these people that I found a home in UT, and it is my greatest honor to help others find their home as well.”
What are your plans for after graduation?
“After graduation, I will be moving back to Nashville to pursue a master’s degree in Human Development Counseling at Vanderbilt University.”