Upon entering the Student-Alumni Center on the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s campus, students, faculty, and staff are now welcomed by an artistic display that not only inspires a creative and festive spirit but also aims to make them feel more at home.
At the center of this creative transformation is Jess Guthrie, assistant director of Leadership and Service in the Office of Student Success, whose “Nightmare Before Christmas”-themed artwork now graces the walls of the Student-Alumni Center (SAC). Guthrie used her artistic background in theater design to create a unique space she says speaks to the full, complex identities of the students it serves.
“Our office has been trying to think of ways that we can make the SAC more welcoming, more comfortable, more inviting, and more vibrant – a space that gives students permission to be their whole selves,” she says.
The push for this change originated with the students themselves. “Our students have long recommended that we should decorate campus from time to time, especially around the holidays,” says Vice Chancellor for Student Success Charles Snyder, PhD. “We are always searching for ways for our students to feel that they belong and that this space is for them. So, we took recommendations from students and our own committee, and we made the decision to lean in on our student center and embrace the various holidays, traditions, and seasons to bring the center to life and make it a more student-centered space.”
For Guthrie, it is a welcome change. Having worked at five universities, she sees the SAC as a unique but somewhat impersonal space lacking the warmth and vibrancy commonly associated with student centers. She describes the SAC’s walls as a blank canvas, noting that its large, carpeted panels are perfect for temporary art. “We can’t change the space permanently, of course, but fabric panels store easily, and don’t damage the carpet behind them. With a canvas, we can work on it when we have time, and it doesn’t take a ton of space to work on it,” she said.
The Nightmare Before Christmas theme was not a random choice. The Student Success team spoke with students and found that this iconic film was very popular among them. Additionally, since it bridges two holidays, Guthrie and the team can customize the artwork and décor as the seasons change, with plans to add winter elements in the coming weeks. Student Success is also planning a screening of the film for students in December.
“I think it makes sense for a student space to be dynamic and to have some personality,” Guthrie says. “Our team has lots of ideas of how we can make the SAC a more engaging space for students, while also being a space that the rest of the campus community feels welcome in and proud of.”
Dr. Snyder says he has seen the artwork spark joy in students, many of whom have stopped to take selfies and admire the pieces. He views this as part of his team’s broader effort to enhance the student experience by treating them as whole people and making the campus a place for connection, friendship, and collaboration.
“We really think it’s critical for the students’ success that they feel like campus is their home, that they feel like they belong here, and that the campus is more than just an academic space,” Dr. Snyder says. “This is just one of many different things we’re doing to try and make that a reality for our students.”
Guthrie says that while the decorations are a team effort – including administrative specialist Lillian Wistock, administrative associate Jason Greiner, and student assistant Kewanee Brownlee – she appreciates the opportunity to share her talents with the university community. She is happy to contribute to an initiative that aligns with her philosophy of celebrating the whole person behind every role on campus.
“It took a lot of faith for them to trust me when I said, ‘Let’s cover the walls with canvas; it’ll be cool,’” she says. “I’m normally a backstage kind of person, so recognition can be a little uncomfortable, but it’s been really nice hearing how much people like what we’ve done. If we made someone’s day a little brighter, I love that. We can all use a little more wonder and joy in our lives.”