UTK College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies skyrockets in admission and interest
After launching in July of 2023, the CECS program has garnered support across campus.
Preparing the workforce of the future is no small feat. With technology evolving rapidly and artificial intelligence (AI) becoming a staple in everyday tasks, fields like cybersecurity, data analytics, and machine learning are redefining workforce demands. This raises an essential question: Who will fill these critical roles?
Nationwide, the education system is struggling to keep pace with these shifts. According to Forbes, in the 2021–22 academic year, more than 108,000 bachelor’s degrees were awarded in computer and information sciences, encompassing Data Science.
Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that positions in computer and information technology are rapidly increasing, with about 356,700 openings expected each year due to growth and the need to replace workers who leave permanently.
These numbers are specific to students in computer science, but what about those who are interested in a specific field and also the application of AI in that sector?
In East Tennessee, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), has taken a proactive approach to addressing this challenge. In July 2023, the university launched the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS), a first-of-its-kind future-driven college where students customize their education as they prepare for careers of the future.
As a hub for collaboration, CECS brings together campus expertise to develop cutting-edge curricula and utilizes strong industry partnerships to provide students with real-world, hands-on learning experiences.
Despite its recent launch, CECS is quickly making waves on campus. For the 2024-2025 academic year, 757 students across UTK are already enrolled in a CECS course. The college has 56 majors and 83 students working toward minors or certificates.
To better understand the college’s impact, Teknovation spoke with Vice Provost and Founding Dean Ozlem Kilic, Assistant Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Katie Cahill, and Assistant Dean of Faculty Affairs and New Programs Vandana Singh.
“These were our numbers after limited on-campus advertising and without participating in the previous recruitment season,” Kilic explained. “Now that we’ve started actively promoting the college, we expect enrollment to grow significantly next year.”
Kilic attributes CECS’s early success to the relevance of the programs. She noted that the Data Science major and certificate programs are “buzzing with energy” and highlighted new proposed areas of study, such as Applied Computing, Nuclear Deterrence, and Sports Analytics, which have sparked considerable interest across campus.
Singh oversees the college’s cutting-edge curriculum—a role that requires her to stay ahead of business trends and develop flexible courses that keep pace with technological advancements.
She works closely with the CECS “Board of Visitors,” a group of industry partners that provides real-time feedback on the curriculum.
“The college has already built relationships with over 100 industry members, and we aim to expand that to 200, ensuring our programs align with employers’ needs,” Singh said.
Looking ahead to Fall 2025, CECS plans to introduce several new degree programs, including Applied Computing, Bioinformatics, Human-Intelligent Systems Interaction, Sustainability, and Sports Analytics.
With these additions, Kilic anticipates enrollment will grow to 2,000 students across all programs, with majors increasing from 56 to 600.
Cahill is the person responsible for filling these programs with students. She emphasized the excitement but also acknowledged some hesitation.
“Students are excited, but parents often express trepidation because they don’t fully understand how AI, data science, cybersecurity, and other emerging fields will shape the workforce,” Cahill explained. “It’s not a traditional English or business degree—it’s cutting-edge. Explaining that can be challenging.”
One way Cahill bridges this gap is by highlighting the “career-centric” approach CECS takes. Every aspect of the college and its curriculum is shaped by corporate input. Meaning that CECS students will be more competitive applicants upon graduation.
Additionally, CECS offers students the opportunity to participate in the Responsive Industry Support Ecosystem (RISE) Mentorship Program, where they can connect with industry leaders and professionals in their fields of interest. This program opens doors to internships, mentorships, and potential job placements after graduation.
The college also regularly hosts events like the “Career Catalyst,” which fosters connections between university faculty and the business community.
The next event is scheduled for April 10 and will feature industry panels, a keynote speaker, and networking opportunities. If interested, you can email a request to attend here.
“Our first Career Catalyst had 50 industry attendees. Last year, we had over 100, and this year, we’re aiming for 200,” Kilic said. “We’re a college that fully embraces the term ‘workforce.’ Our goal is to deliver gainful employment for our students, and our strong ties with industry partners are key to making that happen.”
As CECS continues to expand its offerings and strengthen its industry relationships, it is redefining what it means to receive a “well-rounded” college education.
Learn more about CECS by visiting the website.
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