Education in East Tennessee is making headlines this week as local schools connect students, businesses, and the wider community.
AI symposium links Pellissippi State to regional manufacturers
Pellissippi State Community College’s Strawberry Plains campus will host a symposium on artificial intelligence in manufacturing on Friday, Oct. 23. The event, beginning at 7:45 a.m., will explore how AI and robotics are reshaping production, workforce needs, and the skills employers seek. Speakers include Marcus Blair of Omega Business Solutions and Simba Jonga of LaborUp, who will discuss both opportunities and challenges for manufacturers and their employees. An optional tour of the college’s MegaLab follows at 9 a.m.
The symposium underscores the college’s ongoing effort to align education with the workforce demands of East Tennessee, helping students and employers alike prepare for a future where technical knowledge, problem‑solving, and advanced technology go hand in hand.
Maryville College senior donates stem cells, offers hope
Johnavon Simmons, a senior at Maryville College, registered as a potential blood‑forming stem‑cell donor after losing his great‑grandparents. He later discovered he was a match for an anonymous patient battling blood cancer and completed the donation in September. Simmons’ act of compassion illustrates how campus experiences can inspire students to make life‑changing differences for strangers.
Stem‑cell donations are a critical treatment option for patients with certain blood cancers and serious blood disorders, and finding a compatible donor can be the key to recovery.
Knox County Schools hosts national education leaders
More than 100 superintendents and education leaders are gathering in Knox County for the Ford Next Generation Learning annual meetings Oct. 20‑22. Visitors will tour Hardin Valley Academy on Oct. 21, meet Principal Kirk Renegar and students, and attend a showcase of the district’s 865 Academies initiative, which links classroom learning with career exploration, industry partnerships, and pathways to college, military service, or employment.
By bringing national educators into local schools, Knox County aims to demonstrate how strong partnerships between teachers and employers can help students connect their interests with future careers.
Homecoming choir honors longtime Maryville educator
Stacey Wilner, who has directed Maryville College’s choir for 27 years, will lead a combined ensemble of current students and alumni in a Homecoming performance on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre at the Clayton Center for the Arts. Alumni say the concert is a chance to thank an educator whose high expectations shaped their college experience.
Wilner’s upcoming retirement marks the end of an era for the college’s choral tradition, and the performance will be a fitting tribute to her dedication.
These stories highlight how education in Knoxville and the surrounding area continues to foster innovation, compassion, and community spirit.
Original reporting: Knox TN Today — read the source article.
