The University of Tennessee at Martin and Volunteer State Community College co-hosted their first Lunch and Learn event June 12 at the F&M Bank in Springfield, bringing together local industry leaders, educators and community stakeholders from Robertson County to explore innovative educational pathways in agriculture.
The event spotlighted UT Martin’s on-site bachelor’s degree programs in agricultural business and farm and ranch management, initiatives strategically designed to meet the region’s growing demand for skilled professionals in the agricultural sector.
The Lunch and Learn event served as a collaborative forum to discuss opportunities for expanding dual enrollment, deepening industry partnerships and enhancing student access to career-aligned academic programs.
“This event exemplified the power of regional collaboration in creating meaningful educational and workforce pathways,” said Erica Bell, UTM executive director of regional centers and online programs. “By uniting the strengths of UT Martin, Vol State and our local industry partners, we’re not only expanding opportunities for students; we’re investing in the future of Middle Tennessee’s agricultural economy.”
Representatives from both institutions were in attendance, including Bell; Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, interim dean of the College of Business and Global Affairs at UTM; Dr. Duane Berry, assistant vice president for academic affairs at Vol State; and Dr. Emily Short, vice president for student services at Vol State.
They were joined by Will Elliott, career and technical education coordinator for Robertson County Schools; Audrey Cochran, UTM director of dual enrollment; and John Bartee Jr., coordinator of the UTM Springfield Center.
The Lunch and Learn event reflects UTM’s continued commitment to regional engagement and academic innovation in high-demand fields. With the support of community and industry partners, the UTM Springfield Center is positioned to become a key driver of workforce development and economic growth in the region.
UT Martin and Vol State Community College officially formed an academic partnership on Nov. 29, 2023, that enabled students at Vol State to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the UT Martin Springfield Regional Center on the VSCC campus in Springfield.
The Springfield Regional Center became the sixth regional center for UT Martin, which also boasts regional centers in Jackson, McNairy County/Selmer, Parsons, Ripley and Somerville.
For more information about pursuing an education at UT Martin’s regional centers, contact Erica Bell at 731-881-7089 or ebell3@utm.edu.
More information about UT Martin can be found at www.utm.edu or by calling 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).
PHOTO: Meeting to discuss potential education pathways for students in the UTM Springfield Regional Center were (l-r) Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, interim dean of the College of Business and Global Affairs at UTM; Dr. Duane Berry, assistant vice president for academic affairs at Vol State; Dr. Emily Short, vice president for student services at Vol State; Will Elliott, career and technical education coordinator for Robertson County Schools; Erica Bell, UTM executive director of regional centers and online programs; Audrey Cochran, UTM director of dual enrollment; and John Bartee Jr., coordinator of the UTM Springfield Center.
