CHATTANOOGA, TN – One Chattanooga State Community College staff member was chosen last month to receive the Dona Sparger Professional Service Award for going above and beyond for students with disabilities. 

The award was issued to Dr. Kristi Strode by the Tennessee Association of Higher Education and Disabilities and is the highest honor awarded to those working in higher education disability services in Tennessee. 

Dr. Strode is the director of ChattState’s Center for Access and Disability Services. In recent years, she has led the implementation of strategies and programs to ensure ChattState remains a place where everyone can learn without limits. 

Among her notable accomplishments is creating a program titled Real Opportunities for Mentoring Experiences (ROME), which allows neurodiverse students to gain culinary skills and mentorship from their neurotypical peers. 

She also applied for and received a $400,000 grant that she used to develop Tiger Access, a program offering educational opportunities and certificates to students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. 

Dr. Strode said she and her Tiger Access counterparts work hard to make sure students get to experience everything college has to offer, all while developing workforce skills. 

“I am honored by this award. I'm humbled by it,” Dr. Strode said. “I love this work that I do. To be recognized out of the blue really touches my heart.” 

Sandy Rutter, Assistant Vice President of Student Engagement and Support Services, nominated Dr. Strode for the award, lauding her commitment to students in a letter of nomination. 

“Dr. Strode loves her work, and it is evident to her students, staff, and all who know her,” Rutter wrote. “She continually makes connections and builds collaborations and partnerships, not only on the Chattanooga State Campus, but also in the Chattanooga and Hamilton County communities.” 

The award was named for Dona Sparger, who helped found the Tennessee Client Assistant Program, one of the original 13 federally funded projects established to determine the need for state advocacy programs for persons with disabilities. The work of those pilot programs is responsible for today’s federally mandated advocacy programs in all states. 

This award honors a postsecondary service provider who is a current TN-AHEAD member and has demonstrated exemplary professional service to both TN-AHEAD and to the disability services field through education, advocacy, and service. 

On Wednesday, April 3, Tiger Access students gathered on campus to envision their bright futures and hear a mental health expert about the ways substance abuse can interfere with goals and dreams. 

The event was organized, in part, by Dr. Strode. During the meetup, students used art supplies and clippings from books and magazines to assemble vision boards. Strode said vision boards motivate students by giving them a tangible reminder of their personal goals while allowing them to explore their creativity. 

“I believe art is an expression of what's inside us, and there's so much beauty and truth in art,” she said.  

The art party aimed to bring awareness to substance abuse and how it can impact one’s life. Carisa Powell, a counselor at ChattState, attended the event to talk about the importance of making wise choices when it comes to drugs and alcohol. 

During her presentation, Powell warned attendees about the many negative outcomes associated with substance abuse. Students, she said, could face legal consequences, academic suspension, health issues, and more. 

“I want you to remember that your health matters,” she said. “You have goals you set for yourself. You don’t want those to be hindered.” 

The event was co-planned alongside the Office of Student Conduct. Student Conduct Officer Chad Goral said the event focused on showing students that reaching their goals requires making good life choices. 

“The event provides a safe and familiar environment to create something personal to you while also discussing a difficult and important topic,” Goral said.  

While advocacy is at the core of the art party, Goral said the effort also aims to reduce stigma around substance misuse and addiction. 

“Substance misuse and addiction face harsh and unwarranted stigma, which creates massive barriers when looking for support,” he said. “Events like these can allow difficult topics like substance misuse to be shared in a way that is both effective and fun.” 

Dr. Strode’s commitment to her work shows in the outcomes of Tiger Access students. Graphic Design student Alisha K. said after graduation, she hopes to work for ChattState’s Tiger Access program, helping other students gain education and life skills. 

“Even though we may be different, we can still make a mark on the world and make an impact,” Alisha said. “If any first-year students want to help out with mentoring for Tiger Access, they can come to OMNI 127 to sign up to help.” 

The event was funded by a grant from the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities (CHASCo), a Tennessee-based organization that aims to reduce health and safety risks on college campuses.