The Styles L. Hutchins Diverse Fellowship Continues with Cohort II
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Feb. 2, 2020) — The Styles L. Hutchins Diverse Talent Retention Fellowship is continuing into its second semester with a new cohort of highly talented students.
Launched by the Office of Mayor Andy Berke, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, the Styles L. Hutchins Fellowship is working to create a plan to make Chattanooga a city that attracts and retains young, diverse talent to live, work and thrive in Chattanooga.
Three additional students from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga have been selected as spring 2020 members of the Styles L. Hutchins Fellowship — forming Cohort II. These fellows will build on the initial research and further explore the potential to implement recommendations suggested by the inaugural cohort of Hutchins fellows.
In continuing this work, the new cohort will also explore practical initiatives, expansion of partnerships and policies that will allow Chattanooga to be seen as a city where diverse talent can create a prosperous future after college — and thrive as professionals.
A larger part of their research will be focused on understanding the talent management strategies that local and regional employers are engaged in to build a highly talented and diverse workforce — to include, paid internship opportunities, innovative recruitment strategies, usage of employee resource groups, engagement within the community, partnerships with Universities, workforce shortages, as well as other areas.
This year’s cohort includes:
Eric Barton is a senior from Memphis, Tenn., double majoring in Engineering Management and Psychology. He serves as an academic advisor through the Upward Bound: Math-Science program, where he helps to develop and prepare inner-city students attending high-needs public schools, which helps with college readiness and confidence-building skills. He is also involved with organizations including Brother to Brother, Black Student Alliance, and serves as the vice president and treasurer for the Eta Phi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
“I am thrilled to participate in this Fellowship because it will provide me with the resources and knowledge to lead by example and help more people like me. I want people with similar backgrounds to feel like they have the ability to dream big and see more of themselves in this city, like becoming a CEO, a Mayor, an entrepreneur or anything they set their minds to,” Barton said.
Tyrese Hobbs is a junior from Nashville, Tenn., studying Entrepreneurship and Interior Design at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. As a full-time student, he has taken the time to be involved in Freshman Senate, Brother2Brother, Resident Assistant, the Lambda Iota Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and the SMILE Fund. His post-graduation goals include starting his entrepreneurial journey.
“I strive every day to be a voice for more people,” Hobbs said. “This fellowship will provide me with additional networks and new learning experiences to influence ideas and policies that will have a positive impact on Chattanoogans.”
Ervin Fisher, IV is a junior majoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Ervin, from Nashville, Tenn., is a full-time student and also works full-time in the downtown area hospitality industry. His goal as an early career professional is to secure a job in a marketing department in Chattanooga as he works on a longer term plan to start his own innovative ventures.
“I feel very fortunate to be one of those selected to participate in this fellowship as I truly believe that it is my time to give back to this community. Helping to make Chattanooga a more desirable place for diverse UTC students coming after me, like my sister who is just a freshman, who will need access to resources and opportunities to be successful here,” Fisher added.
In addition, Khadesha Gordon, an inaugural fellow from Fall 2019 was selected to serve with the new team as a project implementation coach. Khadesha is a Political Science and Public Service major with a minor in Africana Studies. Her professional career goal is to work in the legal field. In addition to being a full-time student, Gordon also works part time outside of school. She’s also been involved on campus with the NAACP executive board (secretary), SGA Senator, ThinkAchieve: Beyond the Classroom, Mock Trial Attorney and the Political Science Club. She was recently selected by the University as a Mocs Lead participant.
“I’m thrilled to be back for a second semester as a Hutchins Fellow,” Gordan said. “Our inaugural cohort laid the foundation for tangible ideas and policies that will help make Chattanooga a place where young, black talent can stay and thrive and I’m honored to continue that work.”
