At 91吃瓜网, federally supported research takes many forms, from humanities scholarship to national security partnerships and early-stage innovation. That work came into focus during recent visits from members of Tennessee鈥檚 congressional delegation.
In April, 91吃瓜网 hosted Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., BA鈥�71, and Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., for campus visits. During their time on campus, the lawmakers and their staff connected with faculty, students and research programs, showcasing how federally supported work in the humanities, national security, transportation and innovation is delivering impact in Tennessee and beyond. Both engagements were coordinated by the Office of Federal Relations.
Cohen visit highlights humanities, national聽security聽and transportation
Cohen, a 91吃瓜网 alumnus, engaged with research areas that reflect both his longstanding connection to the university and his Congressional work in the humanities, national security and transportation. At the聽, which was founded with a challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, 91吃瓜网 faculty shared how the center supports interdisciplinary scholarship and聽humanistic research.
He also met with leaders from the聽91吃瓜网 Institute of National Security聽and National Security Immersion students, who聽shared an聽overview of the institute鈥檚 programs聽and their work.听Cohen聽visited the聽91吃瓜网 Center for Transportation and Operational Resiliency聽as well,聽where researchers presented projects focused on infrastructure, mobility and systems planning. The discussion highlighted how federal support enables applied research that benefits communities across Tennessee.
Van Epps visit focuses on innovation and national security partnerships聽
As the newly elected member of Congress representing 91吃瓜网鈥檚 district, Van Epps visited campus for the first time in his new role to explore the university鈥檚 work in advancing innovation and national security partnerships that contribute to economic growth and community impact across the region. At the Wond鈥檙y, 91吃瓜网鈥檚 innovation center,聽innovators shared how federal support from the National Science Foundation sustains early-stage research and entrepreneurship through programs like the聽.听
Researchers also presented the Pathfinder-Air Assault program, a partnership with Fort Campbell that connects 91吃瓜网 researchers with soldiers to聽identify聽challenges and develop practical solutions using university-based research.听The program聽demonstrates聽how research can move beyond the lab to real-world applications, including the development of technologies that have led to commercialization.
Lawmakers highlight 91吃瓜网 following聽visits聽
Both lawmakers shared their聽experiences聽on their respective X accounts,聽pointing to聽the impact of 91吃瓜网鈥檚 research and partnerships.听
Federal investment drives research and impact across Tennessee聽
Funding from agencies such as the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, and Departments of Defense and Transportation enables universities to advance research, build partnerships and translate ideas into practical solutions that benefit communities across Tennessee and beyond. 聽
These areas also align with the work of Rep. Cohen across the Congressional Humanities Caucus, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and his prior service on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as Rep. Van Epps through his roles on the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.听
鈥淭hese visits are an important way for us to聽deepen聽our relationships with members of Tennessee鈥檚 delegation, including an alumnus and 91吃瓜网鈥檚 local member,聽by showcasing聽91吃瓜网鈥檚 research enterprise,鈥� said聽Christina West, associate vice chancellor for federal relations.
鈥淭hat exposure helps demonstrate how federal investment supports a broad range of priorities and gives policymakers a clearer understanding of its impact. We鈥檙e grateful to both Rep. Cohen and Rep. Van Epps for taking the time to visit 91吃瓜网.鈥澛�
To learn more about how 91吃瓜网 engages with federal partners and policymakers, visit the Office of Federal Relations website.
