Chamyra Teasley
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga junior Chamyra Teasley has been honored with the prestigious Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award, given by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to 10 individuals in higher education throughout the state who demonstrate a lasting, meaningful impact through service; are valued by peers and community leaders; and embody the legacy of the late Rep. Harold Love Sr.—the namesake of the award.
Ms. Teasley, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering management with a minor in political science, has packed a lifetime’s worth of memories into one academic year.
As Student Government Association (SGA) president, she has hobnobbed with UTC leadership and dignitaries, including UT System President Randy Boyd and Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.
Alongside Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement Stacy Lightfoot, she co-moderated “A Conversation with Bernice King and Ilyasah Shabazz—A Legacy of Leadership and Service” for the UTC MLK Day 2024 celebration. She was a featured speaker at commencement in December and will return to the McKenzie Arena podium during undergraduate ceremonies this Saturday, May 4.
But the icing on the cake was being honored for her community service efforts.
“To me, it’s always great to get recognized for the work that you put in,” said Ms. Teasley, a native of Clarksville, Tn. “I don’t do the work to get recognized; I do it to help others. And I guess it’s just great to know that people believe in what I’ve done and they’re proud of the work that I’ve done on our campus.
“It feels really, really amazing to see that someone else outside of our campus has seen the work that I’ve done.”
Ms. Teasley was nominated for her work with her leadership team to help communicate that the SGA is an advocacy group for UTC students to have a voice on campus. As part of her SGA work, she helped bring a “Student Leader Summit” on campus, inviting SGA leaders from universities across the state for a three-day program in Chattanooga.
She serves as a resident assistant in the engineering residential learning community while holding two internships—one in the UTC IT Department and one with The House Campus Ministries. She has also worked in the Office of Student and Family Engagement, learning how to plan and host inclusive events to allow everyone to enjoy activities on campus.
“There are 10 awards in the state at every level—and only five students get this award—so this places Chamyra among the very top students in Tennessee,” UTC Chancellor Steven R. Angle said. “This is an elite group and that’s where she belongs. It’s very satisfying to see her acknowledged for everything she does.”
According to the award program’s website, community service recognition for higher education students and faculty/staff at the campus level was created in Tennessee through legislation enacted by the General Assembly in 1991. In 1997, the awards were named for Love, who was instrumental in passing the enabling legislation.