March 13, 2024 • 28 mins
This episode of ConnectTheKnox features a conversation with Stephanie Vozar, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at the University of Tennessee, focusing on her role in forging connections between the university and corporate partners to prepare students for the future workforce. Julia Hurley and Stephanie discuss the impact of these partnerships on retaining young talent in Knoxville, Stephanie's vision for the growth of corporate philanthropy at UT, and her personal journey from Flint, Michigan, to her beloved Knoxville. The discussion offers insights into how education and philanthropy are pivotal in shaping a vibrant, economically robust community.
Show Notes
(00:00) - Introduction to the episode and welcoming Stephanie Vozar
(00:55) - Stephanie's journey from Flint, Michigan to Knoxville, Tennessee
(01:31) - Stephanie’s Transition from Young Williams Animal Center to the University of Tennessee
(02:48) - Overview of Stephanie's role in corporate philanthropy at UT
(05:10 ) - Addressing workforce needs through innovative educational programs
(10:47) - Efforts to retain young talent in Knoxville and the importance of internships
(14:10) - The evolving demands in key industries
(16:33 ) - Future directions for corporate philanthropy at UT and potential team growth
(21:26) - Connecting students with industry opportunities
(24:06) - Stephanie's personal connection to Knoxville and her favorite aspects of the city
(27:57) - Closing remarks
Links Referenced:
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Visit Knoxville Website: https://www.visitknoxville.com/
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University of Tennessee Foundation: https://www.utfi.org/
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Young Williams Animal Center: https://www.young-williams.org/
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Julia Hurley (00:05):
Welcome everyone to another episode of Connect the Knox.
I am your host Julia Hurley.
We're here connectingKnoxville to the nation.
Today's guest is a good friend of mine,Stephanie Eastman Vozar, who is the, let
me make sure I understand, the Chair of
(00:26):
Philanthropy for the Universityof Tennessee Alumni Association.
Stephanie Vozar (00:31):
Close.
We all have long titles atthe University of Tennessee.
Julia Hurley (00:34):
So many titles.
Correct the title for me.
Want to make sure everybodyknows who we're speaking with.
And then go into how youended up in this space.
Stephanie Vozar (00:43):
I'm the Director of Corporate Philanthropy.
I do sit on the foundation side,but for the University of Tennessee.
Julia Hurley (00:49):
Very good.
All right.
Stephanie Vozar (00:50):
So you asked me how I got to Knoxville, I
think is really the question.
Julia Hurley (00:54):
Yeah, how'd we end up here?
How'd we end up in Vols country?
Stephanie Vozar (00:57):
You know, there's a name for me.
They call me a halfback.
So, I started, uh, I'm originallyfrom Flint, Michigan and really
had no plans to leave there.
Was, uh, born and raised,lived all my life.
We ended up moving to Naples, Florida.
And of course it was a little toohot down there and we needed to be
a little bit closer to our family.
(01:17):
So I actually moved here to Knoxville.
We were looking to be closer to Michiganbut I accepted the position as the first
Director of Development for Young WilliamsAnimal Center which is what actually
brought my husband and I here to Knoxvilleand that was about five years ago.
Julia Hurley (01:31):
So, Young Williams Animal Shelter, for people outside
of this area who don't know,is our largest animal shelter.
Is that correct?
Stephanie Vozar (01:39):
That's correct.
Julia Hurley (01:40):
That's correct.
Okay, so that, that in andof itself, running a sizable
shelter like that is huge.
How did you transfer outof that and end up at UT?
Stephanie Vozar (01:48):
Yeah, I was there at Young Williams for about four years
and we built up a great developmentdepartment and I was really ready
to move on and to put my energyinto something a little different.
So the truth is, and this very rarelyhappens, but I saw this job posted,
I applied, I interviewed, they likedme on here I am and I'm never leaving
because I absolutely love it here.
(02:09):
But that's it's veryrare that that happens.
It's very hard to get intothe University of Tennessee.
So I'm very blessedand excited to be here.
Julia Hurley (02:16):
So what exactly does your role entail at UT?
Because we interview, like, today,uh, some of our interviewees,
we've interviewed RandyBoyd, we've interviewed Dr.
Hosh, we've interviewed some of thecommunications people, some of the
sports people, and it seems like UT,you know, it doesn't seem like it is.
The University of Tennesseeis not just one place, it's
Tennessee systems, it's the state.
And it's the state's largest educator.
(02:37):
And knowing kind of how each person fitsinto their dynamic and the role that they
have taken on or created really and grown.
What is your role exactly?
Stephanie Vozar (02:48):
That's a great question.
And I guess that's partof the second question.
I was really looking to grow into thisrole and it happened to be posted and
I swear it was created just for me.
So I'm the director ofcorporate philanthropy.
I do set Essentially hereacross the university.
So what that means is that myfocus is really on our industry
partners, our corporate partners,uh, all over the nation, a little,
(03:08):
sometimes all over the world.
And we're really trying to connectand engage with those corporate
partners for what they wantand need out of the university.
And so that can be lots ofdifferent things and it can happen
through lots of different ways.
Sometimes it's research projects.
Uh, most of the time it has to dowith the students and the workforce
and what they need and whatthey're looking to get out of it.
(03:29):
Sometimes it's scholarships.
Sometimes it's working directlywith our faculty and our staff here.
Sometimes it's they want to comeand speak to a class so that
they're helping our students.
So I sit centrally.
My role is to really be that one mainperson that's building a relationship
with our corporate partners.
to see everything that they want to getand what they need and how they can help
and be engaged across the entire campus.
(03:51):
And then I work with all theother colleges and units, you
know, in the vice versa way.
So I get to learn what's importantto them and what they really
need from our corporate partners.
And I bring that up.
So in the end, we have this wonderfulworking relationship where corporations
are getting what they need here andthey're, and they're investing in the
university so that we can build this.
Students of Tomorrow, and really have thatworkforce be what they're looking for.
(04:14):
New technologies, that types of things, soit's really shaping the entire future of
tomorrow in that symbiotic relationship.
Julia Hurley (04:23):
So that's really interesting, and one of the questions
that I have asked every person thatwe've done this podcast with, and I
think the podcast is going on, we'reon our third season, so second year.
One of the biggest questions thatwe ask every person is, What do you
think that that Knoxville area can do?
To maintain the younger generation ofcollege graduates to stay and work here.
(04:45):
And that's, that's your whole roleis making sure that they have the
opportunities to stay and work here.
So what is that looking likeon your end of it versus.
As a real estate agent here in thisgrowing market, we have a lot of retirees.
I mean, the Knoxville area has morelakefront land than anybody else.
Thank you so much, TVA,for providing that for us.
(05:05):
We have a lot of recreation.
But we also have a lot of retireesthat are attracted to that.
So what we've seen is a huge shift,like in Visit Knoxville, and the
chambers are starting to focus onyounger workers, younger opportunities.
How can we attract that?
What can we do to maintain it?
And you're actually working with thebusinesses to say, Hey, what do you need?
And then taking that back to the,to the, to the university and
(05:25):
saying, this is what they need.
You know, what are we providing?
So where's that mid rangeconversation happening?
What's the biggest need rightnow that you're seeing from.
these industries and from these
sponsors.
Stephanie Vozar (05:37):
That's a loaded question.
Uh, the need is different kindof depending on what industry
they're in and, and in what stageof the game that they're in.
It's always workforce, right?
Like at the end of the day, if youdon't have the folks to work for your
company, then, then what have you got?
Right?
So our job is really to make sure thatthe quality of education that they
(05:58):
are getting, including the Systemsthat they use, the software that
they use, um, the hands on machine.
Even we're looking at somecollaborative cultures here.
So we have established for thefirst time, the College of Kecks.
Everything has an initial here.
I'm going to try to remember what itis, but it's the College of Emerging.
(06:19):
And collaborative studies.
And so, what that whole college isdesigned to do is, is along with me, work
with those, those, uh, industry partnersto see what they need out of their
workforce, and are they getting the righttraining, and then we work with them to
bring that right here to the university,so that what they're looking to hire for,
they have all those skills that they need.
(06:40):
And again, it might be simple skills,it might be certain software, certain
programs, certain machines, we haveall kinds of very robust that are built
out for all the different industriesand what that would look like.
But it's also cross training, right?
Where you start today is not whereyou're going to end up tomorrow.
You're going to need abunch of different skills.
If you just have engineering,that might not be enough.
(07:00):
If you're going to end up being inmanagement and leadership, you might also
need accounting and those types of things.
So, we're trying to make sure that theeducation is very well rounded and very
Focus on what those corporate partnersare looking for so that they get the
workforce of tomorrow, and that workforceis nimble and they can go on to all
those leadership roles and they can.
Grow with the company and havethe foundation that they need to
(07:24):
really do what their looking for.
But then alternatively.
We're also trying to help industry.
You know, we're certainlygrowing here in Knoxville.
That's, that's no secret.
Um, and we're bringing a lot ofgreat industry partners here.
So that's our role as well.
We work with the, with the chamber,with Visit Knoxville that you mentioned.
We try to work with them and ourcorporate partners to, Help them,
(07:44):
whether it's open up offices, or maybemove their headquarters, or maybe
they'd like to leave some space atour Cherokee Farms Research Center.
Anything that's going to make themmore present and available here,
but it's going to provide thatopportunity for our students, again,
to stay here and work because they'removing their areas of work here.
So it's kind of a two pronged approach.
Okay, so on the other side of thatthen, so the industries can contact you
(08:07):
and say hey, we're gonna, we're, we'rethinking about moving our industry here.
This is kind of where weneed our workforce to be in
three, five, and ten years.
You know, can you all put togethersomething and you collaborate?
Let's reverse that and say, studentsare like, hey, I really want to
do this, and we don't really havesomething tailored for that yet.
Is that also something that you canbuild around and start to talk to
(08:29):
industries and say, hey, you're nota corporate partner with us yet, but
we've had, you know, 300 students askfor this, or 3, 000 students ask for
this, would you be interested in this?
Yeah, I think that's, that'sdefinitely part of my role.
I think that Randy and that ChancellorPlowman, they do an amazing job doing
exactly that, looking at what the needis, both for the students and for the
industry partners, and making sure thatwhatever that is comes to fruition.
(08:52):
If it's not built, youknow, we'll build it.
We'll look at how we can, how we can do itbetter, and what the need really is there.
Sure.
Um.
I think that's a big part of it.
The bigger part of it is not only on theindustry side, but showing those students
what's available, and this is prevalentin any industry, especially mine.
A lot of us come by our careers,we fall into it, or maybe we know
(09:12):
a little piece of it, but we haveno idea how many different types of
careers really live in that industry.
So that's another piece of itis to try to showcase that in
the many different ways here.
We give our students experiences.
Sometimes it's called a vol track, wherewe take them out to different areas.
So Uh, different parts of the country.
They get to tour many different industrypartners in their field so that they
(09:34):
can see just what all the levels ofall the different jobs look like,
what, what a daily, um, work routineis for them right there in the field.
So yeah, it's definitely a two waystreet, but it's, it's all about
exposure and engagement to make surethat everyone has the most opportunity.
And so that we're helping not onlythe students in our university,
but our industry partners as well.
And everyone's getting what they need.
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What have you seen as far as, andnot necessarily from the industry
side, but from the student, like whatis the most interactive both ways?
Let's say like an industry needs twoor three thousand employees and the
students are like, meh, I mean, okay,or that there's two or three thousand
(10:42):
students that really want this and thatthe industry's just not got enough space.
Where's been kind of that sweetspot really here locally to keep,
to keep kids is it, is in my mind, Idrive down the interstate, obviously
everybody sees Pilot Flying J, right?
Like that's, it's huge, we all know thename, um, you know, you think immediately
Pilot Flying J, or transportation,you know, with the Axle logistics.
(11:04):
=What's been like the biggest need that'sbeen able to also be filled the field?
You gotta love
Stephanie Vozar (11:10):
that.
I got that
Julia Hurley (11:11):
accent just came out That's been filled with what you've
been able to put together so far
Stephanie Vozar (11:17):
Yeah, you might want to ask me that question in a different way.
I think again, I think it comes downto exposure and Creating opportunities
and making them show no, the studentsknow what opportunities are there.
So if they can't get there, you know,a number one opportunity, then, then
let's look at what else is there.
Let's look at what's similar to there.
Let's show them opportunities.
A lot of times for us,um, it's internships.
(11:39):
The different working relationship allalong the line until they graduate.
They're always getting in, ourcorporations are always getting in
very, very early to target our students.
To get in front of the students, toshow them who they are, what they
represent, what that culture lookslike, what all the different jobs are.
And so, they're starting to buildtheir relationships with the
students very, very early on.
Um, I can't think of a great example forthe question, so again, you might want to
(12:04):
re ask it as far as having too many jobs.
Julia Hurley (12:08):
Alright, let's just say, like So the last few people that
I've spoken with in general, justas, as a whole, I kind of asked the
same question in a different way.
Where do they see the futureof the young workforce?
And, you know, one, two or threepeople that I've interviewed
have said we really desperatelyneed electricians and plumbers.
We are so desperate for these twothings that if we don't start to
get kids involved in this, we're,we're going to be in world hurt.
(12:29):
Like our, our whole industry will fail.
And then I've had a few people justsay, hey, we need better sales training.
We need a lot, we needa bigger sales team.
I've had people say, we need to learn.
And again, I am so intrigued that industryis taking on the, we need to change.
And this is a shift in conversation justover the last decade, I think we've seen.
Industry is taking responsibility thatthey are the ones that want to change,
(12:52):
saying we need to learn how to letkids and future workers work from home.
So we have to adapt the way that ourneeds and wants are versus what they can
give and what their needs and wants are.
So kind of where's the Where's beenthe best match up, per se, so far?
Stephanie Vozar (13:07):
Again, that's such a challenging question, because
I think it's everywhere, right?
I think we're hearing thatwe really need nurses.
Uh, we work a great deal withthe automotive and advanced
manufacturing industry.
You know, as you look at electric carand mobility and fuel cells and all
the wonderful things that are goingon right here in Knoxville, we have a
beautiful relationship with the NSF,the National Science Foundation, and
(13:28):
we've received several different grantsof multi millions recently to set up
hubs right here in Tennessee, right hereat the University of Knoxville, really
specializing in advanced manufacturingand automotive, and as that industry
really changes, that technology changes,obviously there's a huge need for that,
a huge need for nurses, so Um, I think wereally, we try to connect very uniquely
(13:54):
with each of those industry partners.
So we're never trying to putsquare peg in a round hole.
It's never one educationpiece or one way to engage.
We're really looking at each collegeand each industry as a unique field
with their unique needs and totry to place them and build them.
I'm working with our friends in the musicand the entertainment industry, which
of course after COVID, you know, it was.
(14:17):
It was truck drivers, it was going backon the road, it was all of the staff
that you think about in the entertainmentbusiness, especially if you're touring
with a musician or anyone on the road.
They suffered quite a bit, so we're,we're discussing with them how we can
help not only make the jobs aware, butprovide those, that education and some of
it might be a certification to increase.
(14:38):
www.
joubin.
com Again, it's a lot of our advancedmanufacturing friends, right?
They need, they need bothskills on both sides.
(15:00):
And so, there's definitely adual relationship where we say,
How can we do this differently?
How can we work with everyone?
How can we have a greatrelationship with everyone?
It's not, I only do this and,you know, we don't, the trades
are, are not our thing, right?
No.
It's what can we do to make sure thatwe're getting the best education,
certifications, aligning the rightpartnerships to make sure that
(15:22):
we're fueling that pipeline whereit's lacking and for tomorrow.
Julia Hurley (15:26):
So as somebody who graduated college 25 years ago this year, it's been
a minute, this is my 25th anniversary,it's very exciting, very exciting.
Education is completely different.
Like this kind of a conversation wasnever possible when I went to college.
It was not even a thought, this, this.
Future thinking, what canwe do to preempt this?
(15:47):
When I was 17, I entered, you know,campus for the first time and had
absolutely no idea what I was goingto do when I got out of there.
You know, 100, 000 in debt, which thesekids aren't having to take on, which is, A
whole separate issue, or a whole separateamazing thing with Tennessee Promise,
but having people in this position likeyou are in, saying, hey, let's find
(16:08):
your talents, let's find a company,let's get you an internship, like your
freshman year, and work towards something.
This is unbelievably unheard of,I think, and I think Tennessee's
really taken the reins with that.
Forward thinking educational opportunity,where do you see your position?
Stephanie Vozar (16:25):
Yeah, my position is really just starting.
I'm kind of a team of one right now.
So eventually I think we will growup, grow a corporate philanthropy team
with corporate philanthropy officers.
I think they will all sit centrally,you know, but that's kind of a
little bit far in the future.
It may behoove us to have a corporatephilanthropy officer sitting in
(16:47):
each college to have those specialrelationships uniquely with the field.
That might make a difference, butthere's definitely We just have so many
wonderful relationships and so manypeople really want to work with us for
all those reasons that we discussed.
So there's, there's so muchwork to be done in the future.
I see this team growing.
I see our relationships withour industry partners growing.
(17:09):
I see Knoxville growing in turnand as this technology grows.
And I'm not really sure where it willgo, but, but I know we're going to
stay on this path where we're reallybuilding relationships and asking the
right questions and finding the rightsolutions and really working, uh, in
sync step with those industry partnersand them with our students to make
(17:29):
sure that the future looks bright.
So there's going to be more ofme here across campus, and we're
going to be able to reach more ofour corporate partners and to work
more hands on with the students andhere across the university so that.
We've got an even brighter tomorrow.
When we look back on this interview 25years from now, right, that conversation
is going to look even different about whatthat workforce of tomorrow looks like.
(17:51):
Remote learning, youknow, 6G, 7G, who knows?
Those VR headsets and the way you doyour work, everything's going to change.
And we're really on thecutting edge of that.
So, I look forward to seeingwhat that looks like, really.
It's always very exciting, and myday is different every day, and it's
always just Just fun and neat, and Ican't wait to see what that looks like.
Julia Hurley (18:13):
So if you could choose, if you could, if you could choose, so the
nation's listening, I mean, our podcastis highly downloaded, which we're so
excited about, you know, we finally hitsome rankings, we started to get some
movement on Apple, so it's like, woohoo!
Uh, People want to hear about Knoxville.
People are listening across the nation.
Who would you reach out to and say,Hey, we don't have this industry.
We'd love to have you.
(18:33):
We've got some kids that arereally interested in this.
Let's have a conversation.
I mean, they're listening.
People are watching Knoxville.
They want to be a part of it.
Who do you need that you don't have?
Stephanie Vozar (18:43):
Industry partner wise, I'm not sure I was really
prepared for that question.
Um, I, I think we, I thinkwe've really covered the gamut
of our industry partners.
But again, I would, I would say toall those people that are listening
and if you're in a unique industryand maybe you feel overlooked, reach
out to me cause I'd like to hear fromyou and I'd like to hear how we can.
(19:04):
Utilize you if we don't, how wecan connect you with our students.
Um, I think marketing is obviouslysomething that that's really growing.
We have that in twodifferent colleges right now.
That's just a booming industry thatwas, as we know, always, always changes.
So they may be a littleunderrepresented again.
I think maybe with the entertainmentindustry, as we start this.
This new venture with what, whatdoes a touring entertainment
(19:28):
certificate look like?
And what are all of those differentneeds and how do we create that?
Um, and we're kind of just on the cusp ofthose conversations, but there's probably
a lot of different industries in thatworld that we really need to hear from.
Some we might have already partnerswith, some might be alumni of ours.
We do have partners with, but if youjust think about all of the different
(19:50):
aspects of that job from managingto accounting to truck driving, you
know, to lighting to ticket takers.
Public speaking.
I mean, anything that you think aboutwhen you just think about entertainment
in general, that's a really big field.
So there's probably room for growth there.
But again, I, I don'tknow where we're missing.
And if you think, if you're out thereand you're listening and you think we are
(20:13):
missing or you want to know what we'redoing in your field or how it could be
enhanced, that's, that's my challenge.
I'm always up for reach out to me andlet me see how I can help you what we're
doing or what we could be doing better.
Julia Hurley (20:25):
I love that.
And, and folks, if you don't know,Stephanie, I met Stephanie, uh, when
she first got here, like, or, or atUT, when she first started here at UT.
And we've started a good relationship.
We have these conversationsat least once a quarter.
I'm like, well, what about this?
What about this?
And I just love it becauseshe's so growth minded.
There's never a limit to what is coming,what can happen, what will happen, who we
(20:48):
need to talk to, where she's gonna go, andwhere she's willing to take these kids.
And when I say these kids, I mean, I'mworking with some of the kids on the
football team, as you know, Stephanie,we talk about real estate investing.
We talk about, you know,financial planning and their
mindset at the age of 20 is.
Light years ahead of where I was at at 20.
So having these conversations andknowing that there's somebody to
(21:08):
reach out to or connect them withthat can find them what they want is
half the battle is the connection.
Which is the reason for the podcast.
Connecting Knoxville to the nation.
People need to be connected to thepeople they want to reach out to.
And that they know they have anidea or a thought and they're like,
I don't even know who to call.
I know who to call.
You call Stephanie.
Stephanie Vozar (21:26):
I love to help.
I love a good challenge.
I always say if I can't find theanswer, I'll find someone who will.
So it might not be me that can helpyou, but I'll definitely make sure
that, that your conversation is beingheard, that your needs are being heard,
and that we can figure out how wecan make a better tomorrow together.
Julia Hurley (21:43):
Yeah, you definitely live up to that for sure, and I always appreciate
being able to connect people with you.
So I'm gonna shift the conversationa little bit, because you
are not a Knoxvillian, butyou now are a Knoxvillian.
So Aside from the University ofTennessee and the opportunities you've
been given, you could probably now takethis same kind of concept and take it
(22:03):
anywhere, and you still, every day,you're so excited to be in Knoxville.
Every time I talk to you,you found something new to
do, this is the best place.
What makes you continueto choose Knoxville?
Stephanie Vozar (22:12):
We absolutely love it here.
Again, I really do love my job.
I really love the people that I work with.
I love being part of this university.
Uh, and it really is the leadershipjust absolutely from the top
all the way down that is makingthis place a better place to be.
And that's making ourcommunity a better place to be.
So that's very exciting.
Um, my husband of course has a greatcareer here, which is very exciting.
(22:34):
You know, I know it's the cheesythings, not only is it this community
and there's wonderful people andI've just have so many amazing
connections since I've lived here.
I feel the most connected with just thebest people and the best opportunity here.
But it is kind of thesimple things, right?
Like the weather and there is so muchto do and it's the perfect temperature.
(22:54):
So I told you I'm a halfback, I came fromMichigan, I am not going back to those.
Bitter Winters, You Cannot Make Me,and then we move down to South Florida,
which of course is just a beautifulparadise, but it's a little bit too hot.
There's a lot going down there.
There's some hurricanes.
I worked for the Red Cross beforeI, I came up here, so, so we know
about the effect on all that.
Knoxville is just absolutely perfect.
(23:16):
You can get to any place thatyou want to go pretty reasonably.
We're right here in the center.
The weather is just perfect almost allthe time, and if it's not, you just
wait a few minutes and it'll be fine.
Um, but there's so much to do there.
There's hiking, and there'scamping, and there's, you know,
beautiful lakes and waterfalls, andthere's just a great food scene.
We really love to eat.
We really love to cook, and most dayswe're really just Just sitting on our
(23:40):
porch, enjoying the weather and, and ourcoffee and just being happy to be here.
So it's kind of the simple things, butthis is really the perfect place to be.
Julia Hurley (23:49):
I love that.
And you have a fantastic porch, by theway, Matt, it's huge, because you have
the biggest porch I think I've ever seen.
So if, when, just a fire round,when people visit you from Florida
or from Michigan or from out ofstate, and they've never been to
Knoxville, where's the first place you
think to take them?
Stephanie Vozar (24:07):
I don't know.
I really like Alley Rays.
You cannot beat that place.
Alley Rays.
So they started as a food truck andthey've got a great little restaurant
right across from Broadway Carpetsover there on Central, I believe.
And they just have the best food.
They've got chefs that are preparingsomething new and different and very
creative every day, so their menu changes.
(24:27):
They've got really unique drinksthat are, you know, craft cocktails.
And they have a little coffee bar.
So if you like fried cauliflower,it's actually the best fried
cauliflower I've ever had anywhereI have been in the nation.
So that's, that's always my dinner spot.
Julia Hurley (24:43):
This is the first time anybody's brought that up.
I've never heard of it.
So now I have to go.
See, I was, I was talkingwith Visit Knoxville.
And I, I said, you know, I am at thepoint right now where as a lifelong
Knoxvillian, I still have a list this longof places I can't keep up with anymore.
All the new hot spots, I'm like, ohmy gosh, I haven't made it there.
I haven't made it there.
That's on the list now.
Not even, didn't even know it existed.
(25:04):
It's on the list.
I do love
Stephanie Vozar (25:06):
It's great.
And it's great, you know,for old ladies like me.
I know I'm not supposed to say that,but they have entertainment and they
do singo and they have bands and theyhave, uh, open mic night and what
have you, but it always starts early.
I think they start by sevenand they're done by like 9 30.
So you can take your family, you cango to dinner, you can still hear the
band play and you can still go home,you know, do the laundry and go to bed.
Julia Hurley (25:27):
I love that.
I love that.
All right.
Top, top three.
Breweries or pubs?
Stephanie Vozar (25:33):
I, gosh, I don't get out that much.
I think I really like I wouldsay Zuul and Abridged is great.
I mean, not only do you have greatbeer, but they have great food.
Their pizza is fantastic.
And you can't beat their burgers.
And of course, Zuul has theAbridged truck, so you kind of
get the best of both worlds.
You cheat a little bit.
(25:55):
That's cheating!
Julia Hurley (25:56):
I know.
Stephanie Vozar (25:57):
And, I mean, Alley Rays, right?
Can I count them as a pub and just saythat it's a great place for drinks?
Julia Hurley (26:03):
Okay.
It is on my list.
I genuinely have not heard of this place.
I'm very excited to try a new place.
It is so rare that somebody getsme on something I don't know
about, so now I'm excited about it.
I'm excited about that.
So, I have taken up alreadyalmost the whole 30 minutes.
I could talk to you and talk withyou about the future of Knoxville's
philanthropic community, because whatyou are doing is connecting everything.
(26:26):
You're connecting the dots.
to the kids, to the community.
And that is something that's beenlacking at UT for a very long time.
And I would say over the last eightyears has been a true focus and a
massive opportunity for communityleaders and businesses to reach out
to you, to get connected to thesekids and the future workforce.
of the Knoxville market, where can peopleconnect with you so they can become a part
(26:50):
of what you are trying to accomplish here?
Stephanie Vozar (26:53):
Yeah, um, i, I'm not sure our website is completely up yet,
but I'm sure if you go to the Universityof Tennessee Foundation website,
you can find me somewhere, right?
But my email is It'ssvozar at utk dot edu.
And I'm always over here inAndy Holt Tower on campus.
And you can email me or call meanytime and I'm happy to just sit
(27:16):
down and learn about not only you asan individual, but corporations and
what does your corporation need andwhat does your industry need and how
it can help really make that work foryou and get everybody what they need.
So I'd say email me svozar at utk dot edu.
Julia Hurley (27:32):
All right, y'all.
You heard it here.
If you are looking to grow your industrywith current workers and looking
for an opportunity to partner withthe University of Tennessee and its
students, which is huge, you have 40,000 kids there that could possibly be
an employee for you and your industry,and just getting to know other industry
as well and leaders in the community,Stephanie is the person to go to.
(27:53):
She is phenomenal.
She will sit with you and learn allabout your business and what you need.
Stephanie, thank you somuch for your time today.
We look forward to meeting withyou in the next couple of months to
go over our businesses as well andjust staying connected with you and
we appreciate everything you do.
Stephanie Vozar (28:08):
Thanks for having me.
This has been wonderful.
I appreciate it.
Julia Hurley (28:11):
Thank you.
All right, Nation.
One more episode of Connectthe Knox is in the books.
Thank you as always for tuning in.
I'm Julia Hurley, yourhost, Connecting Knoxville.
To the Nation.
Until next time!
Thank you for tuning into the show.
Make sure to like and subscribe.
Leave a five star review onyour podcast player of choice.
And if you would like informationon moving to Knoxville,
(28:33):
send me a private message.
As always, this is Julia Hurleyconnecting Knoxville to the Nation.
Welcome everyone to another episode of Connect the Knox.
I am your host Julia Hurley.
We're here connectingKnoxville to the nation.
Today's guest is a good friend of mine,Stephanie Eastman Vozar, who is the, let
me make sure I understand, the Chair of
(00:26):
Philanthropy for the Universityof Tennessee Alumni Association.
Stephanie Vozar (00:31):
Close.
We all have long titles atthe University of Tennessee.
Julia Hurley (00:34):
So many titles.
Correct the title for me.
Want to make sure everybodyknows who we're speaking with.
And then go into how youended up in this space.
Stephanie Vozar (00:43):
I'm the Director of Corporate Philanthropy.
I do sit on the foundation side,but for the University of Tennessee.
Julia Hurley (00:49):
Very good.
All right.
Stephanie Vozar (00:50):
So you asked me how I got to Knoxville, I
think is really the question.
Julia Hurley (00:54):
Yeah, how'd we end up here?
How'd we end up in Vols country?
Stephanie Vozar (00:57):
You know, there's a name for me.
They call me a halfback.
So, I started, uh, I'm originallyfrom Flint, Michigan and really
had no plans to leave there.
Was, uh, born and raised,lived all my life.
We ended up moving to Naples, Florida.
And of course it was a little toohot down there and we needed to be
a little bit closer to our family.
(01:17):
So I actually moved here to Knoxville.
We were looking to be closer to Michiganbut I accepted the position as the first
Director of Development for Young WilliamsAnimal Center which is what actually
brought my husband and I here to Knoxvilleand that was about five years ago.
Julia Hurley (01:31):
So, Young Williams Animal Shelter, for people outside
of this area who don't know,is our largest animal shelter.
Is that correct?
Stephanie Vozar (01:39):
That's correct.
Julia Hurley (01:40):
That's correct.
Okay, so that, that in andof itself, running a sizable
shelter like that is huge.
How did you transfer outof that and end up at UT?
Stephanie Vozar (01:48):
Yeah, I was there at Young Williams for about four years
and we built up a great developmentdepartment and I was really ready
to move on and to put my energyinto something a little different.
So the truth is, and this very rarelyhappens, but I saw this job posted,
I applied, I interviewed, they likedme on here I am and I'm never leaving
because I absolutely love it here.
(02:09):
But that's it's veryrare that that happens.
It's very hard to get intothe University of Tennessee.
So I'm very blessedand excited to be here.
Julia Hurley (02:16):
So what exactly does your role entail at UT?
Because we interview, like, today,uh, some of our interviewees,
we've interviewed RandyBoyd, we've interviewed Dr.
Hosh, we've interviewed some of thecommunications people, some of the
sports people, and it seems like UT,you know, it doesn't seem like it is.
The University of Tennesseeis not just one place, it's
Tennessee systems, it's the state.
And it's the state's largest educator.
(02:37):
And knowing kind of how each person fitsinto their dynamic and the role that they
have taken on or created really and grown.
What is your role exactly?
Stephanie Vozar (02:48):
That's a great question.
And I guess that's partof the second question.
I was really looking to grow into thisrole and it happened to be posted and
I swear it was created just for me.
So I'm the director ofcorporate philanthropy.
I do set Essentially hereacross the university.
So what that means is that myfocus is really on our industry
partners, our corporate partners,uh, all over the nation, a little,
(03:08):
sometimes all over the world.
And we're really trying to connectand engage with those corporate
partners for what they wantand need out of the university.
And so that can be lots ofdifferent things and it can happen
through lots of different ways.
Sometimes it's research projects.
Uh, most of the time it has to dowith the students and the workforce
and what they need and whatthey're looking to get out of it.
(03:29):
Sometimes it's scholarships.
Sometimes it's working directlywith our faculty and our staff here.
Sometimes it's they want to comeand speak to a class so that
they're helping our students.
So I sit centrally.
My role is to really be that one mainperson that's building a relationship
with our corporate partners.
to see everything that they want to getand what they need and how they can help
and be engaged across the entire campus.
(03:51):
And then I work with all theother colleges and units, you
know, in the vice versa way.
So I get to learn what's importantto them and what they really
need from our corporate partners.
And I bring that up.
So in the end, we have this wonderfulworking relationship where corporations
are getting what they need here andthey're, and they're investing in the
university so that we can build this.
Students of Tomorrow, and really have thatworkforce be what they're looking for.
(04:14):
New technologies, that types of things, soit's really shaping the entire future of
tomorrow in that symbiotic relationship.
Julia Hurley (04:23):
So that's really interesting, and one of the questions
that I have asked every person thatwe've done this podcast with, and I
think the podcast is going on, we'reon our third season, so second year.
One of the biggest questions thatwe ask every person is, What do you
think that that Knoxville area can do?
To maintain the younger generation ofcollege graduates to stay and work here.
(04:45):
And that's, that's your whole roleis making sure that they have the
opportunities to stay and work here.
So what is that looking likeon your end of it versus.
As a real estate agent here in thisgrowing market, we have a lot of retirees.
I mean, the Knoxville area has morelakefront land than anybody else.
Thank you so much, TVA,for providing that for us.
(05:05):
We have a lot of recreation.
But we also have a lot of retireesthat are attracted to that.
So what we've seen is a huge shift,like in Visit Knoxville, and the
chambers are starting to focus onyounger workers, younger opportunities.
How can we attract that?
What can we do to maintain it?
And you're actually working with thebusinesses to say, Hey, what do you need?
And then taking that back to the,to the, to the university and
(05:25):
saying, this is what they need.
You know, what are we providing?
So where's that mid rangeconversation happening?
What's the biggest need rightnow that you're seeing from.
these industries and from these
sponsors.
Stephanie Vozar (05:37):
That's a loaded question.
Uh, the need is different kindof depending on what industry
they're in and, and in what stageof the game that they're in.
It's always workforce, right?
Like at the end of the day, if youdon't have the folks to work for your
company, then, then what have you got?
Right?
So our job is really to make sure thatthe quality of education that they
(05:58):
are getting, including the Systemsthat they use, the software that
they use, um, the hands on machine.
Even we're looking at somecollaborative cultures here.
So we have established for thefirst time, the College of Kecks.
Everything has an initial here.
I'm going to try to remember what itis, but it's the College of Emerging.
(06:19):
And collaborative studies.
And so, what that whole college isdesigned to do is, is along with me, work
with those, those, uh, industry partnersto see what they need out of their
workforce, and are they getting the righttraining, and then we work with them to
bring that right here to the university,so that what they're looking to hire for,
they have all those skills that they need.
(06:40):
And again, it might be simple skills,it might be certain software, certain
programs, certain machines, we haveall kinds of very robust that are built
out for all the different industriesand what that would look like.
But it's also cross training, right?
Where you start today is not whereyou're going to end up tomorrow.
You're going to need abunch of different skills.
If you just have engineering,that might not be enough.
(07:00):
If you're going to end up being inmanagement and leadership, you might also
need accounting and those types of things.
So, we're trying to make sure that theeducation is very well rounded and very
Focus on what those corporate partnersare looking for so that they get the
workforce of tomorrow, and that workforceis nimble and they can go on to all
those leadership roles and they can.
Grow with the company and havethe foundation that they need to
(07:24):
really do what their looking for.
But then alternatively.
We're also trying to help industry.
You know, we're certainlygrowing here in Knoxville.
That's, that's no secret.
Um, and we're bringing a lot ofgreat industry partners here.
So that's our role as well.
We work with the, with the chamber,with Visit Knoxville that you mentioned.
We try to work with them and ourcorporate partners to, Help them,
(07:44):
whether it's open up offices, or maybemove their headquarters, or maybe
they'd like to leave some space atour Cherokee Farms Research Center.
Anything that's going to make themmore present and available here,
but it's going to provide thatopportunity for our students, again,
to stay here and work because they'removing their areas of work here.
So it's kind of a two pronged approach.
Okay, so on the other side of thatthen, so the industries can contact you
(08:07):
and say hey, we're gonna, we're, we'rethinking about moving our industry here.
This is kind of where weneed our workforce to be in
three, five, and ten years.
You know, can you all put togethersomething and you collaborate?
Let's reverse that and say, studentsare like, hey, I really want to
do this, and we don't really havesomething tailored for that yet.
Is that also something that you canbuild around and start to talk to
(08:29):
industries and say, hey, you're nota corporate partner with us yet, but
we've had, you know, 300 students askfor this, or 3, 000 students ask for
this, would you be interested in this?
Yeah, I think that's, that'sdefinitely part of my role.
I think that Randy and that ChancellorPlowman, they do an amazing job doing
exactly that, looking at what the needis, both for the students and for the
industry partners, and making sure thatwhatever that is comes to fruition.
(08:52):
If it's not built, youknow, we'll build it.
We'll look at how we can, how we can do itbetter, and what the need really is there.
Sure.
Um.
I think that's a big part of it.
The bigger part of it is not only on theindustry side, but showing those students
what's available, and this is prevalentin any industry, especially mine.
A lot of us come by our careers,we fall into it, or maybe we know
(09:12):
a little piece of it, but we haveno idea how many different types of
careers really live in that industry.
So that's another piece of itis to try to showcase that in
the many different ways here.
We give our students experiences.
Sometimes it's called a vol track, wherewe take them out to different areas.
So Uh, different parts of the country.
They get to tour many different industrypartners in their field so that they
(09:34):
can see just what all the levels ofall the different jobs look like,
what, what a daily, um, work routineis for them right there in the field.
So yeah, it's definitely a two waystreet, but it's, it's all about
exposure and engagement to make surethat everyone has the most opportunity.
And so that we're helping not onlythe students in our university,
but our industry partners as well.
And everyone's getting what they need.
Julia Hurley (09:55):
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What have you seen as far as, andnot necessarily from the industry
side, but from the student, like whatis the most interactive both ways?
Let's say like an industry needs twoor three thousand employees and the
students are like, meh, I mean, okay,or that there's two or three thousand
(10:42):
students that really want this and thatthe industry's just not got enough space.
Where's been kind of that sweetspot really here locally to keep,
to keep kids is it, is in my mind, Idrive down the interstate, obviously
everybody sees Pilot Flying J, right?
Like that's, it's huge, we all know thename, um, you know, you think immediately
Pilot Flying J, or transportation,you know, with the Axle logistics.
(11:04):
=What's been like the biggest need that'sbeen able to also be filled the field?
You gotta love
Stephanie Vozar (11:10):
that.
I got that
Julia Hurley (11:11):
accent just came out That's been filled with what you've
been able to put together so far
Stephanie Vozar (11:17):
Yeah, you might want to ask me that question in a different way.
I think again, I think it comes downto exposure and Creating opportunities
and making them show no, the studentsknow what opportunities are there.
So if they can't get there, you know,a number one opportunity, then, then
let's look at what else is there.
Let's look at what's similar to there.
Let's show them opportunities.
A lot of times for us,um, it's internships.
(11:39):
The different working relationship allalong the line until they graduate.
They're always getting in, ourcorporations are always getting in
very, very early to target our students.
To get in front of the students, toshow them who they are, what they
represent, what that culture lookslike, what all the different jobs are.
And so, they're starting to buildtheir relationships with the
students very, very early on.
Um, I can't think of a great example forthe question, so again, you might want to
(12:04):
re ask it as far as having too many jobs.
Julia Hurley (12:08):
Alright, let's just say, like So the last few people that
I've spoken with in general, justas, as a whole, I kind of asked the
same question in a different way.
Where do they see the futureof the young workforce?
And, you know, one, two or threepeople that I've interviewed
have said we really desperatelyneed electricians and plumbers.
We are so desperate for these twothings that if we don't start to
get kids involved in this, we're,we're going to be in world hurt.
(12:29):
Like our, our whole industry will fail.
And then I've had a few people justsay, hey, we need better sales training.
We need a lot, we needa bigger sales team.
I've had people say, we need to learn.
And again, I am so intrigued that industryis taking on the, we need to change.
And this is a shift in conversation justover the last decade, I think we've seen.
Industry is taking responsibility thatthey are the ones that want to change,
(12:52):
saying we need to learn how to letkids and future workers work from home.
So we have to adapt the way that ourneeds and wants are versus what they can
give and what their needs and wants are.
So kind of where's the Where's beenthe best match up, per se, so far?
Stephanie Vozar (13:07):
Again, that's such a challenging question, because
I think it's everywhere, right?
I think we're hearing thatwe really need nurses.
Uh, we work a great deal withthe automotive and advanced
manufacturing industry.
You know, as you look at electric carand mobility and fuel cells and all
the wonderful things that are goingon right here in Knoxville, we have a
beautiful relationship with the NSF,the National Science Foundation, and
(13:28):
we've received several different grantsof multi millions recently to set up
hubs right here in Tennessee, right hereat the University of Knoxville, really
specializing in advanced manufacturingand automotive, and as that industry
really changes, that technology changes,obviously there's a huge need for that,
a huge need for nurses, so Um, I think wereally, we try to connect very uniquely
(13:54):
with each of those industry partners.
So we're never trying to putsquare peg in a round hole.
It's never one educationpiece or one way to engage.
We're really looking at each collegeand each industry as a unique field
with their unique needs and totry to place them and build them.
I'm working with our friends in the musicand the entertainment industry, which
of course after COVID, you know, it was.
(14:17):
It was truck drivers, it was going backon the road, it was all of the staff
that you think about in the entertainmentbusiness, especially if you're touring
with a musician or anyone on the road.
They suffered quite a bit, so we're,we're discussing with them how we can
help not only make the jobs aware, butprovide those, that education and some of
it might be a certification to increase.
(14:38):
www.
joubin.
com Again, it's a lot of our advancedmanufacturing friends, right?
They need, they need bothskills on both sides.
(15:00):
And so, there's definitely adual relationship where we say,
How can we do this differently?
How can we work with everyone?
How can we have a greatrelationship with everyone?
It's not, I only do this and,you know, we don't, the trades
are, are not our thing, right?
No.
It's what can we do to make sure thatwe're getting the best education,
certifications, aligning the rightpartnerships to make sure that
(15:22):
we're fueling that pipeline whereit's lacking and for tomorrow.
Julia Hurley (15:26):
So as somebody who graduated college 25 years ago this year, it's been
a minute, this is my 25th anniversary,it's very exciting, very exciting.
Education is completely different.
Like this kind of a conversation wasnever possible when I went to college.
It was not even a thought, this, this.
Future thinking, what canwe do to preempt this?
(15:47):
When I was 17, I entered, you know,campus for the first time and had
absolutely no idea what I was goingto do when I got out of there.
You know, 100, 000 in debt, which thesekids aren't having to take on, which is, A
whole separate issue, or a whole separateamazing thing with Tennessee Promise,
but having people in this position likeyou are in, saying, hey, let's find
(16:08):
your talents, let's find a company,let's get you an internship, like your
freshman year, and work towards something.
This is unbelievably unheard of,I think, and I think Tennessee's
really taken the reins with that.
Forward thinking educational opportunity,where do you see your position?
Stephanie Vozar (16:25):
Yeah, my position is really just starting.
I'm kind of a team of one right now.
So eventually I think we will growup, grow a corporate philanthropy team
with corporate philanthropy officers.
I think they will all sit centrally,you know, but that's kind of a
little bit far in the future.
It may behoove us to have a corporatephilanthropy officer sitting in
(16:47):
each college to have those specialrelationships uniquely with the field.
That might make a difference, butthere's definitely We just have so many
wonderful relationships and so manypeople really want to work with us for
all those reasons that we discussed.
So there's, there's so muchwork to be done in the future.
I see this team growing.
I see our relationships withour industry partners growing.
(17:09):
I see Knoxville growing in turnand as this technology grows.
And I'm not really sure where it willgo, but, but I know we're going to
stay on this path where we're reallybuilding relationships and asking the
right questions and finding the rightsolutions and really working, uh, in
sync step with those industry partnersand them with our students to make
(17:29):
sure that the future looks bright.
So there's going to be more ofme here across campus, and we're
going to be able to reach more ofour corporate partners and to work
more hands on with the students andhere across the university so that.
We've got an even brighter tomorrow.
When we look back on this interview 25years from now, right, that conversation
is going to look even different about whatthat workforce of tomorrow looks like.
(17:51):
Remote learning, youknow, 6G, 7G, who knows?
Those VR headsets and the way you doyour work, everything's going to change.
And we're really on thecutting edge of that.
So, I look forward to seeingwhat that looks like, really.
It's always very exciting, and myday is different every day, and it's
always just Just fun and neat, and Ican't wait to see what that looks like.
Julia Hurley (18:13):
So if you could choose, if you could, if you could choose, so the
nation's listening, I mean, our podcastis highly downloaded, which we're so
excited about, you know, we finally hitsome rankings, we started to get some
movement on Apple, so it's like, woohoo!
Uh, People want to hear about Knoxville.
People are listening across the nation.
Who would you reach out to and say,Hey, we don't have this industry.
We'd love to have you.
(18:33):
We've got some kids that arereally interested in this.
Let's have a conversation.
I mean, they're listening.
People are watching Knoxville.
They want to be a part of it.
Who do you need that you don't have?
Stephanie Vozar (18:43):
Industry partner wise, I'm not sure I was really
prepared for that question.
Um, I, I think we, I thinkwe've really covered the gamut
of our industry partners.
But again, I would, I would say toall those people that are listening
and if you're in a unique industryand maybe you feel overlooked, reach
out to me cause I'd like to hear fromyou and I'd like to hear how we can.
(19:04):
Utilize you if we don't, how wecan connect you with our students.
Um, I think marketing is obviouslysomething that that's really growing.
We have that in twodifferent colleges right now.
That's just a booming industry thatwas, as we know, always, always changes.
So they may be a littleunderrepresented again.
I think maybe with the entertainmentindustry, as we start this.
This new venture with what, whatdoes a touring entertainment
(19:28):
certificate look like?
And what are all of those differentneeds and how do we create that?
Um, and we're kind of just on the cusp ofthose conversations, but there's probably
a lot of different industries in thatworld that we really need to hear from.
Some we might have already partnerswith, some might be alumni of ours.
We do have partners with, but if youjust think about all of the different
(19:50):
aspects of that job from managingto accounting to truck driving, you
know, to lighting to ticket takers.
Public speaking.
I mean, anything that you think aboutwhen you just think about entertainment
in general, that's a really big field.
So there's probably room for growth there.
But again, I, I don'tknow where we're missing.
And if you think, if you're out thereand you're listening and you think we are
(20:13):
missing or you want to know what we'redoing in your field or how it could be
enhanced, that's, that's my challenge.
I'm always up for reach out to me andlet me see how I can help you what we're
doing or what we could be doing better.
Julia Hurley (20:25):
I love that.
And, and folks, if you don't know,Stephanie, I met Stephanie, uh, when
she first got here, like, or, or atUT, when she first started here at UT.
And we've started a good relationship.
We have these conversationsat least once a quarter.
I'm like, well, what about this?
What about this?
And I just love it becauseshe's so growth minded.
There's never a limit to what is coming,what can happen, what will happen, who we
(20:48):
need to talk to, where she's gonna go, andwhere she's willing to take these kids.
And when I say these kids, I mean, I'mworking with some of the kids on the
football team, as you know, Stephanie,we talk about real estate investing.
We talk about, you know,financial planning and their
mindset at the age of 20 is.
Light years ahead of where I was at at 20.
So having these conversations andknowing that there's somebody to
(21:08):
reach out to or connect them withthat can find them what they want is
half the battle is the connection.
Which is the reason for the podcast.
Connecting Knoxville to the nation.
People need to be connected to thepeople they want to reach out to.
And that they know they have anidea or a thought and they're like,
I don't even know who to call.
I know who to call.
You call Stephanie.
Stephanie Vozar (21:26):
I love to help.
I love a good challenge.
I always say if I can't find theanswer, I'll find someone who will.
So it might not be me that can helpyou, but I'll definitely make sure
that, that your conversation is beingheard, that your needs are being heard,
and that we can figure out how wecan make a better tomorrow together.
Julia Hurley (21:43):
Yeah, you definitely live up to that for sure, and I always appreciate
being able to connect people with you.
So I'm gonna shift the conversationa little bit, because you
are not a Knoxvillian, butyou now are a Knoxvillian.
So Aside from the University ofTennessee and the opportunities you've
been given, you could probably now takethis same kind of concept and take it
(22:03):
anywhere, and you still, every day,you're so excited to be in Knoxville.
Every time I talk to you,you found something new to
do, this is the best place.
What makes you continueto choose Knoxville?
Stephanie Vozar (22:12):
We absolutely love it here.
Again, I really do love my job.
I really love the people that I work with.
I love being part of this university.
Uh, and it really is the leadershipjust absolutely from the top
all the way down that is makingthis place a better place to be.
And that's making ourcommunity a better place to be.
So that's very exciting.
Um, my husband of course has a greatcareer here, which is very exciting.
(22:34):
You know, I know it's the cheesythings, not only is it this community
and there's wonderful people andI've just have so many amazing
connections since I've lived here.
I feel the most connected with just thebest people and the best opportunity here.
But it is kind of thesimple things, right?
Like the weather and there is so muchto do and it's the perfect temperature.
(22:54):
So I told you I'm a halfback, I came fromMichigan, I am not going back to those.
Bitter Winters, You Cannot Make Me,and then we move down to South Florida,
which of course is just a beautifulparadise, but it's a little bit too hot.
There's a lot going down there.
There's some hurricanes.
I worked for the Red Cross beforeI, I came up here, so, so we know
about the effect on all that.
Knoxville is just absolutely perfect.
(23:16):
You can get to any place thatyou want to go pretty reasonably.
We're right here in the center.
The weather is just perfect almost allthe time, and if it's not, you just
wait a few minutes and it'll be fine.
Um, but there's so much to do there.
There's hiking, and there'scamping, and there's, you know,
beautiful lakes and waterfalls, andthere's just a great food scene.
We really love to eat.
We really love to cook, and most dayswe're really just Just sitting on our
(23:40):
porch, enjoying the weather and, and ourcoffee and just being happy to be here.
So it's kind of the simple things, butthis is really the perfect place to be.
Julia Hurley (23:49):
I love that.
And you have a fantastic porch, by theway, Matt, it's huge, because you have
the biggest porch I think I've ever seen.
So if, when, just a fire round,when people visit you from Florida
or from Michigan or from out ofstate, and they've never been to
Knoxville, where's the first place you
think to take them?
Stephanie Vozar (24:07):
I don't know.
I really like Alley Rays.
You cannot beat that place.
Alley Rays.
So they started as a food truck andthey've got a great little restaurant
right across from Broadway Carpetsover there on Central, I believe.
And they just have the best food.
They've got chefs that are preparingsomething new and different and very
creative every day, so their menu changes.
(24:27):
They've got really unique drinksthat are, you know, craft cocktails.
And they have a little coffee bar.
So if you like fried cauliflower,it's actually the best fried
cauliflower I've ever had anywhereI have been in the nation.
So that's, that's always my dinner spot.
Julia Hurley (24:43):
This is the first time anybody's brought that up.
I've never heard of it.
So now I have to go.
See, I was, I was talkingwith Visit Knoxville.
And I, I said, you know, I am at thepoint right now where as a lifelong
Knoxvillian, I still have a list this longof places I can't keep up with anymore.
All the new hot spots, I'm like, ohmy gosh, I haven't made it there.
I haven't made it there.
That's on the list now.
Not even, didn't even know it existed.
(25:04):
It's on the list.
I do love
Stephanie Vozar (25:06):
It's great.
And it's great, you know,for old ladies like me.
I know I'm not supposed to say that,but they have entertainment and they
do singo and they have bands and theyhave, uh, open mic night and what
have you, but it always starts early.
I think they start by sevenand they're done by like 9 30.
So you can take your family, you cango to dinner, you can still hear the
band play and you can still go home,you know, do the laundry and go to bed.
Julia Hurley (25:27):
I love that.
I love that.
All right.
Top, top three.
Breweries or pubs?
Stephanie Vozar (25:33):
I, gosh, I don't get out that much.
I think I really like I wouldsay Zuul and Abridged is great.
I mean, not only do you have greatbeer, but they have great food.
Their pizza is fantastic.
And you can't beat their burgers.
And of course, Zuul has theAbridged truck, so you kind of
get the best of both worlds.
You cheat a little bit.
(25:55):
That's cheating!
Julia Hurley (25:56):
I know.
Stephanie Vozar (25:57):
And, I mean, Alley Rays, right?
Can I count them as a pub and just saythat it's a great place for drinks?
Julia Hurley (26:03):
Okay.
It is on my list.
I genuinely have not heard of this place.
I'm very excited to try a new place.
It is so rare that somebody getsme on something I don't know
about, so now I'm excited about it.
I'm excited about that.
So, I have taken up alreadyalmost the whole 30 minutes.
I could talk to you and talk withyou about the future of Knoxville's
philanthropic community, because whatyou are doing is connecting everything.
(26:26):
You're connecting the dots.
to the kids, to the community.
And that is something that's beenlacking at UT for a very long time.
And I would say over the last eightyears has been a true focus and a
massive opportunity for communityleaders and businesses to reach out
to you, to get connected to thesekids and the future workforce.
of the Knoxville market, where can peopleconnect with you so they can become a part
(26:50):
of what you are trying to accomplish here?
Stephanie Vozar (26:53):
Yeah, um, i, I'm not sure our website is completely up yet,
but I'm sure if you go to the Universityof Tennessee Foundation website,
you can find me somewhere, right?
But my email is It'ssvozar at utk dot edu.
And I'm always over here inAndy Holt Tower on campus.
And you can email me or call meanytime and I'm happy to just sit
(27:16):
down and learn about not only you asan individual, but corporations and
what does your corporation need andwhat does your industry need and how
it can help really make that work foryou and get everybody what they need.
So I'd say email me svozar at utk dot edu.
Julia Hurley (27:32):
All right, y'all.
You heard it here.
If you are looking to grow your industrywith current workers and looking
for an opportunity to partner withthe University of Tennessee and its
students, which is huge, you have 40,000 kids there that could possibly be
an employee for you and your industry,and just getting to know other industry
as well and leaders in the community,Stephanie is the person to go to.
(27:53):
She is phenomenal.
She will sit with you and learn allabout your business and what you need.
Stephanie, thank you somuch for your time today.
We look forward to meeting withyou in the next couple of months to
go over our businesses as well andjust staying connected with you and
we appreciate everything you do.
Stephanie Vozar (28:08):
Thanks for having me.
This has been wonderful.
I appreciate it.
Julia Hurley (28:11):
Thank you.
All right, Nation.
One more episode of Connectthe Knox is in the books.
Thank you as always for tuning in.
I'm Julia Hurley, yourhost, Connecting Knoxville.
To the Nation.
Until next time!
Thank you for tuning into the show.
Make sure to like and subscribe.
Leave a five star review onyour podcast player of choice.
And if you would like informationon moving to Knoxville,
(28:33):
send me a private message.
As always, this is Julia Hurleyconnecting Knoxville to the Nation.
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