Is College Still Worth It? UTC's Chancellor on Debt, Safety, and Value | Episode 10
Whether you're a UTC alum, a parent considering college options, or simply interested in where Tennessee higher education is headed, this conversation offers an honest look at the challenges and opportunities facing public universities today.
Dr. Lori Bruce is just 90 days into her tenure as UTC’s Chancellor, and we discuss campus safety after a sophisticated swatting incident, the restructuring of student services under new state laws, and whether a four-year degree still delivers value in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Why more than half of UTC students graduate with zero debt, and how that financial freedom shapes their career choices
- What UTC's response to an AI-generated swatting incident revealed about campus security’s strengths and gaps
- How student services are being restructured to ensure every student has access to the same support
- Why UTC is building dual-admission programs with community colleges and pathways for working adults to complete their degrees
About Dr. Lori Bruce
Dr. Lori Mann Bruce became the 19th Chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on June 30, 2025. Before joining UTC, Dr. Bruce was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tennessee Technological University, where she led all academic operations for more than 10,000 students. Under her leadership, Tennessee Tech achieved a perfect academic program quality score from the state—the first in over 40 years—and launched multiple new academic programs to meet workforce needs.
Prior to TTU, Dr. Bruce served at Mississippi State University in several roles, including associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of the graduate school, and distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering. Dr. Bruce has deep roots in Tennessee, having grown up on a working farm in Lincoln County. She earned her bachelor’s and Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech, along with additional graduate coursework in biomedical engineering.
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