About us

What began in 1794 as a small college in the Southwest Territory has grown into Tennessee’s flagship university and premier public research institution. For more than 225 years, Volunteers have been lighting the way for others, across Tennessee and throughout the world.

UT Knoxville, which includes the UT Space Institute and the UT Institute of Agriculture, serves the state by educating its citizens, enhancing its culture, and making a difference in people’s lives through research and service.

We embody excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement.

UT Knoxville is:

Tennessee’s flagship university and premier public research institution
Part of the University of Tennessee System, along with UT Chattanooga, UT Martin, the UT Health Science Center, and UT Southern
Classified as producing very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education (Doctoral Universities R1 category)
Co-manager of Oak Ridge National Laboratory with Battelle Memorial Institute as UT-Battelle
A Carnegie Community Engaged university
Governed by a board of trustees with 12 members