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Second Annual eVOLve Conference

eVOLve: Leading at Every Level

Join us for our 2nd Annual eVOLve Conference during Social Work Month with keynote speaker Dr. Lakeya Cherry.
Dress Code: Business Casual
Friday
, March 24 | 8am-4pm
University of Tennessee Student Union

Pilot Ballroom

eVOLve Celebration

CELEBRATION FULL: NO LONGER TAKING REGISTRATIONS

Also, please join us for a pre-conference celebration where we will be making an exciting announcement!
Dress Code: Business Casual
Thursday, March 23 | 6pm-9pm
Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum, Dogwood Center

2832 Boyd’s Bridge Pike Knoxville TN 37914

Dr. Lakeya Cherry evolve conference graphic

What To Expect

  • FREE Admission
  • 4.5 CEUs
  • Learn from Social Work Leaders
  • Pre-Conference Reception
  • Reconnect with Alumni and Professors
  • Breakfast and Lunch Provided
  • Free SWAG
  • Network and Connect with Community Partners
  • Free Parking
Three women networking at a conference

Conference Schedule and Sessions

Conference Schedule

All times listed in Eastern Time

  • 8:00-8:45am – Check In and Breakfast
  • 8:45-9:00am – Welcome
  • 9:00-10:00am – Keynote Session (1 CEU)
  • 10:00-10:15am – Break
  • 10:15-11:45am – Breakout Session 1 (1.5 CEUs)
  • 11:45-1:00pm – Awards Luncheon
  • 12:30-3:30pm – Community Partner Mingle
  • 1:15-2:15pm – Breakout Session 2 (1 CEU)
  • 2:15-2:30pm – 15-Minute Break
  • 2:30-3:30pm – Breakout Session 3 (1 CEU)
  • 3:30-4:00pm – Closing Remarks and Raffle Drawing

Important CEU Information

Attendees are eligible to earn up to 4.5 CEUs for participating in conference sessions. An email with a link to the conference evaluation will be sent to participants on Monday, March 27. To receive CEUs, participants must complete the evaluation by 4/27. CEU certificates will be sent out via email after the deadline to complete the evaluation has passed. Certificates are not automatically generated and your patience with this process is appreciated.

Getting Here

Parking

  • Conference parking will be in the G17 Terrace Avenue Parking GarageThis is a different garage than last year.
  • G17 Terrace Avenue Parking Garage address for GPS: 1800 Lake Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916
  • YOU MUST DISPLAY THE PARKING PASS ON YOUR DASHBOARD (attached).
  • Please plan to print the pass ahead of time and bring it with you. The parking pass can be found here.
  • Walking directions from the parking garage to the Student Union can be found here.
  • It takes on average 7 minutes to walk from the parking garage to the Student Union.
  • ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES
    • To park in the accessible spots on campus, visitors to campus are required to get a UT Daily Accessible Parking Permit, which can be obtained from the Circle Park Info Booth or at the Parking & Transit Services Office. Both open at 7:30 a.m. You’ll need to provide them with your state-issued accessible placard/license plate, state registration for the accessible placard, and your photo i.d.
    • The closest accessible parking spots to the Student Union are located in the horseshoe behind Henson Hall, off of Volunteer Boulevard.

Traffic Alert

  • Plan for traffic! There is a large bass fishing event taking place on the south side of campus and around Knoxville on the day of the conference.
  • Please allow yourself extra time to get to campus and anticipate some traffic as you leave.
  • Leaving campus this year will be easier from the Terrace Ave Garage vs the parking location last year.

Accessibility

Accommodations

There is space on the conference registration form to indicate required accommodations. We work with the university’s Office of Equity & Diversity and Office of Student Disability Services to make arrangements and ask that you allow us adequate time to communicate with them about any services needed.

If you have any questions or concerns you would like to discuss before registering, please contact Margaret McMillan at cswcep@utk.edu or 865-974-1655.

A Note on Accessibility

It is a priority to make our events inclusive and accessible. For any questions or to notify us of a request, please email cswcep@utk.edu at least three business days prior to the event. 

About The Keynote Speaker

Dr. Lakeya Cherry, DSW, MSSW, ACC is an executive leadership coach who has dedicated her career to the growth and development of individuals and the organizations they are a part of. As an ICF Certified Coach, a StartingBloc Fellow, a Google #IamRemarkable Facilitator, and a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, she believes that when leaders are empowered to reach their fullest potential, they will be able to support those around them more effectively. It was her own experience with coaching that ignited her passion to support individuals, teams, and organizations to lead more authentically and courageously. Her former clients include Headspace, Glassdoor, LA Cleantech Incubator (LACI), Snap, Cisco, The Salvation Army, The California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, California Mental Health Advocates for Children, Black Administrators of Child Welfare, and the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute.

Dr. Cherry is the former Chief Executive Officer of The Network for Social Work Management, an international organization dedicated to strengthening and mobilizing diverse social impact leaders through education, leadership development, networking, and community-building. Under her leadership, the Network has expanded globally and introduced transformative programming that not only produced better leaders but also enhanced organizational cultures. She also serves as a Commissioner on San Diego’s Commission on the Status of Women, which helps to address the needs of women in San Diego in their social, economic, and vocational pursuits. Her approach is informed by her Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California where she was honored with the coveted Order of Arête award, her M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University, and her B.A. in Psychology and Legal Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Additional qualifications: Psychological Safety, EQi 2.0 and EQ 360 certified, Diversity and Inclusion certification (eCornell), and Nonprofit Executive Leadership certificate (National Human Services Assembly).

Session Topics

Click on the session name for a full description

Keynote Session – 9:00-10:00 AM ET // 8:00-9:00 AM CT

Morning Sessions – 10:15-11:45 AM ET // 9:15-10:45 AM CT

Afternoon Sessions (Pre-Break) – 1:15-2:15 PM ET // 12:15-1:15 PM CT

Afternoon Sessions (Post-Break) – 2:30-3:30 PM ET // 1:30-2:30 PM CT

Conference Sponsors

Gold Level Sponsor:

TN Dept of Mental Health and Substance Abuse services

Bronze Level Sponsors:

Cherokee health systems logo
LHP Capital logo
signal centers logo
volunteer ministry center logo

Additional Thanks To:

Ridgeview behavioral health logo