Tennessee

UT helping rural Tennessee overcome tech knowledge gap | Opinion

Published

4 months ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

UT helping rural Tennessee overcome tech knowledge gap | Opinion

Ozlem Kilic
| Guest columnist

Emerging technology like AI and big data is becoming integral to every economic sector in Tennessee.
A digital readiness gap exists, particularly in rural areas with limited broadband access and lower educational attainment.
The future of work requires digital skills for all workers, not just those in traditional tech jobs.
The University of Tennessee aims to improve tech literacy and entrepreneurship through its statewide extension offices.

Emerging technology is no longer “the tech sector.” Computing, automation, big data and artificial intelligence are becoming the invisible layer in every sector, from manufacturing and logistics to health care, agriculture, and government. A revolution with unstoppable momentum is happening. Is every Tennessean positioned to benefit when it does?

With wages rising from $63,752 to $66,580 in 2024, November 2025 unemployment at 3.6% and nonfarm employment up 34,800 jobs over the year, Tennessee’s economy looks strong. Yet a healthy economy can hide a readiness gap, especially in rural communities, where opportunity can be one broadband outage away.

Workers will need to master digital skills and tools

Where will the work be? Tennessee’s largest sectors will still look familiar, but the work inside them is changing. Computing occupations are projected to grow about 2.5% annually through 2032, and AI, data, cybersecurity, and automation will reshape tasks across the rest. That’s why the priority isn’t only producing more software developers; it’s ensuring every Tennessean can work, learn, and build with digital tools. The future of work is digital even when the job title is not.

That reality collides with two barriers: education and connectivity. Tennessee’s share of adults with some college or higher (58.22%) trails the national level (about 64.6%). And while only 2% of urban residents lack broadband coverage at minimum standards, 34% of rural residents do.

Rural connectivity gap hampers entrepreneurship

And because about 88.5% of Tennessee employers are small businesses (one to 19 employees), Tennessee is already a state of entrepreneurs. The next wave of technology puts powerful tools in everyone’s hands. It will reward the curious, people who dream big, tinker, and turn ideas into something real. But when rural communities lack reliable broadband and tech literacy, the digital gap becomes an entrepreneurship gap that can erase this advantage.

These gaps show up early in the college pipeline. THEC reports Tennessee’s seamless college-going rate for the class of 2024 was 56.0%, and economically disadvantaged students enrolled at 38.7% versus 64.9% for their peers. When a student has to drive for reliable internet to complete FAFSA or apply to TCAT, college access becomes a transportation and technology problem, not just an academic one.

Tennessee has great momentum, but not yet inclusive infrastructure for opportunity so that every Tennessean can dream big, learn fast, and build.

University of Tennessee plays special role in tech literacy

Our response in education can’t be a single program; it has to be a redesign of seamless connectivity: stackable, flexible pathways with multiple entry and exit points. If K-12, TCATs, community colleges, and universities align credentials, a short-term certificate can stack into an associate degree, then a bachelor’s, without losing credit or time. Work experience should be integrated in the education journey, too.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, as our flagship land-grant, has a special responsibility here. The place-based and statewide UT Extension offices can become front doors for free digital and emerging tech literacy and entrepreneurship support. If curiosity is our power, then access to knowledge and the chance to tinker with it must be our public utility to position Tennessee for success.

Ozlem Kilic is Vice Provost and founding dean of the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is an expert in emerging technology and higher education innovation.

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Tennessee

Tennessee is 230 years old, and it all started right here in Knoxville

Published

8 hours ago

May 29, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee is 230 years old, and it all started right here in Knoxville

Tennessee became the 16th state on June 1, 1796, after President George Washington signed the bill for its admission.
John Sevier was chosen as the first governor, and Knoxville was the state’s first capital.
Before becoming a state, the territory was known as the “Southwest Territory” and briefly existed as the unrecognized state of Franklin.
The state has had three constitutions, with the current one adopted in 1870 after the Civil War.

Much to-do is being made of America’s 250th birthday, as well it should.

But did you know June 1 is Tennessee’s 230th birthday?

It was on June 1, 1796, that President George Washington signed a bill granting Tennessee immediate admission as the 16th state. Gov. John Sevier was chosen to lead the new state, and Knoxville was picked as its first capital.

A decade before, settlers west of the Appalachian mountains had sought admission to the union for the state of Franklin. But despite four years of existence, Franklin never gained federal approval.

Tennessee’s first official state constitution – drafted by 55 delegates in Knoxville in 1796 – is on display at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

It was drafted in the home of William Blount, which still stands on West Hill Avenue in downtown Knoxville.

Tennessee actually has three state constitutions: the first, adopted in 1796, a revision adopted in 1834 to update the taxation and court systems, and the 1870 constitution, adopted after the Civil War.

The 1870 constitution permanently abolished slavery in Tennessee and remains the state’s fundamental charter.

Celebrate Tennessee’s birthday in Knoxville

Marble Springs State Historic Site, home of Gov. John Sevier, will have a two-day free party for Tennessee’s Statehood Day.

Tennessee Field Day for kids (or kids at heart) is noon-5 p.m. May 29 and Statehood Day is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 30. Field Day explores history through many aspects and activities, and Statehood Day focuses more on lectures, demonstrations, music, line dancing and food.

The historic buildings and learning center are at 1200 W. Gov. John Sevier Highway in Knoxville.

Look back at how Tennessee was founded

1785-1789: Settlers establish independent systems of government and petition to become a state, but they fail to gain recognition for the state of Franklin. The territory is again under the control of North Carolina.

1789: North Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution and cedes its Tennessee lands to the federal government. It is designated as the “Territory of the United States, South of the River Ohio,” more commonly known as the “Southwest Territory.” William Blount is appointed by George Washington to be governor. Early governance of the territory is focused on making treaties with Native Americans, securing settlers from attacks and encouraging settlement. Warfare with Native American tribes increases through the 1790s.

1792: Knoxville is selected as the capital of the Southwest Territory.

January 1796: Gov. William Blount calls for a constitutional convention in Knoxville to begin the process of joining the Union. The delegates form an organized government and constitution before applying to Congress for admission to the Union. The delegates select John Sevier as governor, William Blount and William Cocke as senators and Andrew Jackson as representative.

June 1, 1796: Tennessee becomes the 16th state in America. Knoxville remains the capital until 1812.

1812: Tennessee earns its nickname “The Volunteer State” during the War of 1812 because it sends 1,500 volunteer soldiers.

1812-1816: Nashville is Tennessee’s capital.

1817-1818: Knoxville is Tennessee’s capital again.

1818-1826: Murfreesboro is the capital of Tennessee.

1826-present day: Nashville becomes – and remains – the capital of Tennessee.

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Tennessee

Former Tennessee Baseball Pitcher Gets Called Up

Published

20 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

Former Tennessee Baseball Pitcher Gets Called Up

The Tennessee Volunteers are constantly getting players in the MLB and the MILB farm system, which is the developmental program that all rookies and young players (a.k.a. prospects) start off in. One of the players who has been in the farm system since being drafted is Nate Snead, who was with the Tennessee Vols just last season as a pitcher, and one of the better pitchers on the Tennessee roster.

Nate Snead is one of the better players to come through the Tennessee program as a reliever, and he is one of the better pitchers when it comes to his fastball, as he throws what many would confirm to be “gas.”

Nate Snead Gets Called Up

Feb 18, 2026; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nate Snead poses for a portrait during photo day at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Snead was in Single-A to start his career, but he is now on his way up, as he is moving up to Double-A after a great start to his career. He is heading to the Rocket City Trash Pandas, which is an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. This would mean he is in the same farm system that both Christian Moore and Ben Joyce recently had to come through, and is one of the better players in the farm system for the Angels, anyway.

He currently holds an ERA of 2.80, which is great considering he has pitched 35.1 innings. He holds a win-loss record of 3-3, and also has a total of 39 strikeouts, which would mean he is averaging more than a strikeout every inning he pitches. He is also giving up less than a hit an inning, which is where he should be in order to get called up.

This decision doesn’t seem rushed, and it doesn’t seem that this is going to backfire. He will likely finish his season in Double-A, although a great stretch could lead to him being fast-tracked to Triple-A, the final team before the majors.

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Tennessee

What channel is Texas vs Tennessee today? Time, TV for WCWS softball game

Published

1 day ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

What channel is Texas vs Tennessee today? Time, TV for WCWS softball game

Two teams who feel fated to face off will play each to open each other’s respective Women’s College World Series.

The Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Lady Vols square up in a battle of block Ts and oranges, with two of the sport’s eminent aces potentially facing off in Teagan Kavan and Karlyn Pickens.

Texas, the defending national champions, defeated the Lady Vols 2-0 in last year’s semifinals to advance to the Women’s College World Series final. It’s a massive game for Tennessee, which is looking to avoid dropping into the loser’s bracket as it did in 2023 and 2025. The goods news? Oklahoma isn’t in this field, which is the team that dropped Tennessee in both of those showings.

With that being said, Texas is a softball superpower in its own right. Led by Katie Stewart, the Longhorns have some big bats. Tennessee will need production from its bats if it is to win this opening matchup.

Watch Texas vs Tennessee live with Fubo (free trial)

Here’s how to watch Texas-Tennessee in a high-profile matchup.

What channel is Texas vs Tennessee softball on today?

Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series will air on ESPN. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Watch 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament live with Fubo (free trial)