A University of Tennessee at Chattanooga staff member whose career has focused on helping students find belonging and connection has been named a recipient of the 2026 UT System President’s Awards, the highest honor a faculty or staff member can receive from the University of Tennessee System.
Christopher Stokes, assistant director for fraternity and sorority life in UTC’s Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community, was selected for the President’s Award in the “Embrace Differences” category.
The announcement was made by UT System President Randy Boyd.
“These awards honor the exceptional talent, service and leadership of faculty and staff systemwide,” Boyd said in the UT System announcement. “Through their work, each honoree strengthens communities and creates lasting impact in Tennessee and beyond. They have earned this distinction and are helping define the greatest decade in UT history.”
A first-generation college graduate, Stokes earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from UTC in 2003 and began his university career the following year as a resident director with University Residence Life.
Over more than two decades at UTC, Stokes has served in Residence Life, TRIO programs, Multicultural Affairs and Fraternity and Sorority Life, developing programs and partnerships designed to strengthen student success, leadership development and a sense of belonging.
For Stokes, the recognition reflects a lifelong commitment to understanding people’s experiences and helping others overcome barriers.
“Embracing differences has been my life story,” Stokes said. “From every facet of my life, I have had to navigate significant barriers and challenges. Through each of them, I learned to appreciate the struggle and how to overcome it in mostly healthy, creative and meaningful ways that not only added to my understanding of my identity but also helped me appreciate–through empathy–the stories of others, their journeys and our collective journeys.”
Throughout his career at UTC, Stokes has helped establish initiatives including the Multicultural Ambassador Program and the Multicultural Presidents Council while supporting retention and mentorship programs such as GUIDE, BMOCS and TRIO.
He also has worked with faculty, staff, alumni and community organizations to create opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and student engagement. His efforts also helped advance the creation of the UTC Divine Nine Heritage Park, a project that connected campus priorities with cultural recognition and alumni engagement.
Stokes has developed partnerships with more than 20 multicultural student organizations, fraternities and sororities, and community partners. He has facilitated workshops, training sessions and events focused on cultural responsiveness, risk management and leadership development while serving on committees addressing hazing prevention, retention and campus climate.
“Christopher Stokes embodies what it means to embrace differences through leadership that builds community, creates belonging and empowers students to succeed,” said UTC Chancellor Steve Angle. “UTC is stronger because of his service.”
Stokes said the award carries personal meaning because of his belief that every individual contributes to a larger community.
“I envision humanity as a tapestry, with each thread, each hue, woven with intention,” he said. “Even if one is removed, it impacts the overall masterpiece.”
He said the message of Maya Angelou’s poem “Human Family” has influenced his approach to working with students, particularly its reminder that people share more similarities than differences.
“I maintain an active archive of times I or others have felt unseen and when I have potentially overshadowed others,” Stokes said. “This awareness keeps me learning and astute, not jaded. It is a living frame of reference that helps me build or discover paths to help others navigate barriers so they do not have to walk alone.”
Stokes said his goal is to create an environment where students, faculty and staff feel comfortable sharing their experiences and recognizing their own potential.
“My conversations change each year, but the core message remains the same,” he said. “I want everyone to know they belong to something bigger, even when they may feel small. Two key beliefs guide my work and I actively share them: You are meant to be here, and you are not on this journey alone.”
Established in 2016, the UT System President’s Awards recognize faculty and staff members whose work advances the University’s Be One UT values: Bold and Impactful, Embrace Differences, Optimistic and Visionary, Nimble and Innovative, Excel in All We Do, United and Connected, and Transparent and Trusted.
Recipients are selected from a system-wide pool of nominees submitted by campus and institute leaders. Each honoree receives a commemorative plaque and a $3,000 award and will be recognized by Boyd, university chancellors and vice presidents during a special luncheon in August.