Baker Blog

Inspiring Civic Engagement: Baker Ambassador Alexis Barton

As a public affairs student at the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, Alexis Barton is passionate about making meaningful change through government and policy. Her experience in government has grown beyond the four walls of the Baker School and has shaped her understanding of how civic engagement impacts real…
Dante Grayson Driving Change and Empowering Communities

November 13, 2025 Dante Grayson, a native of McMinnville, Tennessee, views public service as a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of others with forward-thinking ideas, thoughtful leadership, and a deep belief in the power of community. As a master of public administration (MPA) student at the Baker School, Grayson is concentrating in economic and…
Celebrating Howard H. Baker Jr.’s 100th Birthday

November 5, 2025 This November, the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs will host a series of commemorative events honoring the centennial of Senator Howard H. Baker Jr.’s birth. The celebrations will pay tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of the Tennessee statesman, renowned for his bipartisanship, diplomacy, and…
Howard H. Baker Jr.: A Legacy of Civility, Leadership, and Lasting Impact

November 3, 2025 As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Senator Howard H. Baker Jr., we are reminded of the extraordinary legacy he left behind. Known as “The Great Conciliator,” Baker built his career and reputation on the belief that progress comes not through division, but through understanding, respect and cooperation. One…
Inside the Baker School Student Association

October 29, 2025 At the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, student leadership takes form in many ways. One of which is through the Baker School Student Association (BSSA). By organizing civic engagement events and building connections across programs, BSSA gives students a platform to shape their Baker experience and…
Shaping Tennessee’s Future: Julia Briggs’ Journey in Public Service

October 27, 2025 Mount Juliet native Julia Briggs is building her future around serving the people of Tennessee. As a Baker School MPA student concentrating in economic and community development, she is already making an impact through her work as a graduate research assistant with the Institute for Public Service, where she supports workforce development…
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,…
Five Fast Facts: Baker Ambassador Alex Durkee

October 1, 2025 Meet Alex Durkee! A sophomore Public Affairs major at the Baker School, Alex has already made his mark through research, leadership, and his role as a Baker Ambassador. He brings a unique perspective and a wide range of interests to our Baker School community. Five Facts with Alex Durkee
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…
Congressional Internship Program – Eli Hicks

Every year, a select group of University of Tennessee, Knoxville students work on Capitol Hill through the Baker School’s Congressional Internship Program. This opportunity places students in the offices of Members of Congress, federal agencies, or government-related organizations, where they gain hands-on experience in public service, policy, and legislative work. Each student brought their curiosity,…