The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI), will hold the 25^th Annual African American History Celebration on Wednesday, February 26^th at 10:00 am in the UTSI Auditorium. 

This year’s special guest speaker is Michael Torrence, Motlow State Community College’s 7^th seated president.  He leads the nation’s 35^th most successful institution which is also Tennessee’s number one, top performing, and post-secondary institution.  He encourages all communities to ‘lean into the college’ so that all can go and grow together. Purposefully and passionately, he models the strength, beauty, and value of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Torrence has committed his life to higher education, leadership and scholarship. He is credited for introducing: Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and more progressive technology into the classroom.  Additionally, he has initiated Open Educational Resources (OER) and Digital Education Initiative (DEI) in support of student success.  His exemplary leadership has garnered him recognition and awards to include his most recent honors: Phi Theta Kappa Paragon Award for New Presidents and GlobalMindEd Leader of the Year Award in 2 – Year and Post Graduate Higher Education.

Torrence earned a Ph.D. in Exceptional Learning from Tennessee Technological University, and a M.A. and B.A. in English from South Dakota State University.  He continues to author scholarly publications and journals and is recognized as a premier national conference facilitator and presenter, having presented more than 100 speeches and academic lectures.

Torrence’s higher education career spans more than 25 years and represents a demonstrated love for the teaching and learning community; working both as faculty and an administrator across Student Affairs and Academic Affairs.

We welcome Torrence’s lecture, “African Americans and the Vote.”  This event is free and open to the public.  If questions, please contact the UTSI HR office at 931 393 7226.