academics

Examining Food Waste and Recovery at Neyland Stadium: Julia Swart’s Capstone Project

January 6, 2026 Julia Swart, a recent Master of Public Administration (MPA) graduate of the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, was drawn to the program by her passion for food policy and her desire to make a meaningful impact in the fight against hunger. It was only natural, then,…
Learning to Lead with Civility: Inside Claudia and Izzy’s First Semester as Tocqueville Scholars

October 17, 2025 The Tocqueville Scholars program was founded in fall 2024 by the Institute of American Civics (IAC). It is grounded in the ideas of Alexis de Tocqueville, a 19th-century French philosopher best known for Democracy in America, his influential examination of U.S. democracy and civic life. The program educates students in America’s constitutional,…
Building Stronger Communities: MPA Online Student Kory Robinson

September 30, 2025 Meet Kory Robinson, an MPA Online student at the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs. Kory currently serves as Manager of Electric Distribution System Engineering at Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Division in Memphis, Tennessee, where he leads a team of more than 130 professionals across five engineering and support…
A Closer Look at the Japan Ambassadors Experience with Hope Greene

Since starting at the Baker School last fall, Hope Greene prioritized seizing opportunities connected to her interest in national security. Japan’s history, political structure, and cultural influence stood out as areas she wanted to explore more. When Hope first learned about the Japan Ambassadors program, it perfectly combined her academic interests with real-world experience. The…
Baker Students Reflect on the Big Orange Impact of Philanthropy

Philanthropy has a profound impact on the lives of students at the University of Tennessee, empowering them to excel academically, making education accessible, expanding horizons, encouraging excellence, and ensuring program strength. Every year, for one day in November, the University encourages its supporters to mobilize for the Big Orange Give. The annual day of giving…
Baker School’s Curriculum Prepares the Next Generation of Public Leaders

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) grew out of a vision to establish a public policy school at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with national reputation for graduating skilled public problem solvers who are prepared to take leadership roles as public administrators, public servants, policy analysts, or…
Research Enhances Student Experience for Harper

As an undergraduate, Sarah Harper’s connections with the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) allowed her to explore interdisciplinary research projects across campus. “One of the strengths of the Baker School is its faculty and their connections; they are wide-reaching,” says Harper, a Baker Scholar whose research spanned…
The Baker School’s mission goes hand in hand with Tennessee’s Youth in Government Programs

Baker School freshman Rami Ammar discovered his passion for politics and policy through Youth in Government (YIG), starting in 7th grade and participating in the program through high school. “I initially got involved to better grasp policy’s impact on our lives,” Ammar said. Which is exactly what YIG aims to do, giving middle and high…
Baker alum finds his way in local government

Following the legacy of one of Tennessee’s most outstanding public servants, Howard H. Baker Jr., our students have opportunities to develop problem-solving skills inside and outside the classroom as they prepare to pursue meaningful careers in public service. Recent graduate John Turner is putting the skills he developed at UT to work and enjoying…
Master of Public Policy versus Master of Public Administration

Since 1969 the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has had a graduate degree in public administration, that is a Master of Public Administration (MPA). Public servants throughout the state claim the program as their alma mater. In 2012, that degree was modified into a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) to more closely align it…