Tech Cabinet Returning to Classroom

Members of Tennessee Tech University’s Cabinet will be returning to the classroom this fall.

President Phil Oldham made the request in June. Vice President of University Advancement Kevin Braswell will be teaching a sophomore-level communications class. He said it will be his first time teaching since he arrived at the school over six years ago.

“There’s a little bit of nervous energy just because I want to make sure I give my best effort to the students,” Braswell said. “Even though my primary function at the university is not teaching, to get to focus on that again is going to be fun and challenging.”

Braswell said with the extra help professors are receiving with the Cabinet teaching classes, Tech will be able reduce the size of some classes. He said that is something the university made a priority as students return to campus after the COVID-19 shutdown.

“This is a time in which we are taking a number of precautions in welcoming students back in the fall, including offering more sections and smaller numbers of students,” Braswell said. “Consequently, it creates a need for more instructors, and nearly everyone on the Cabinet is academically qualified to teach, and to a person, we’ve been thrilled with the opportunity and looking forward to getting back in the classroom.”

The Fall Semester at Tech begins August 24. The University began a phased reopening in May, with students returning to the classroom for the second Summer Semester July 6 for the first time since the COVID closure.

Braswell said one of the things to which he is most forward is interacting with returning students.

“Any day I get to have direct interaction with students is a good day,” Braswell said. “Every student comes with a story and, as they’re on campus, that narrative continues, and to get to be a part of that is a real privilege.”

It’s not just the classroom interaction Braswell said excites him. He said he is also looking forward to the one-on-one relationships built outside of class.

“I think the pleasure of impacting students is something I will get,” Braswell said. “But I hope to give a lot more to students in the classroom, yes, but also in informal interactions when they stop by and see me during office hours. That’s one thing Tech really prides itself on. We don’t have large sections that are taught by graduate or teaching assistants. And faculty are readily accessible. I know all of the cabinet and I look forward to continuing that tradition.”

Move in days for new and returning Tennessee Tech students will be August 16-20.