Recognition highlights Murray’s role in preparing skilled trades workers for Tennessee’s growing manufacturing and industrial workforce
Zachary Murray, a welding technology instructor at TCAT McMinnville, has been nominated for a TN Board of Regents SOAR Awards. Murray is one of many to be celebrated by the Tennessee Board of regents when the College System of Tennessee honored outstanding students, faculty, staff, philanthropists, partners and volunteers of the year in the Eighth Annual Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) Awards in Nashville.
In addition to individual SOAR Award winners both Jackson State Community College Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville took home College of the Year honors in their respective college sectors.
TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings presented College of the Year trophies to Jackson State President Carol Rothstein and TCAT Knoxville President Kelli Chaney. They accepted on behalf of their entire campus communities, citing the dedicated work of their faculty and staff members on behalf of their students.
After weeks of college- and regional-level judging that selected 18 finalists for student, faculty and staff members of the year, the 2026 individual winners at the SOAR Awards Dinner Thursday, March 5, and their fellow finalists are:
Students of the Year
- Community College: Louis Rey Valenzuela, an electrical engineering technology student at Pellissippi State Community College who plans to continue his electrical engineering studies at a university.
- Finalists: Joshua Burleson, Southwest Tennessee Community College and Samantha Cagle, Motlow State Community College.
- TCAT: Mia Suarez, an automotive technology student at TCAT Athens who plans to become a master technician and later open her own auto repair shop.
- Finalists: Gabriela Elena Davila, TCAT Memphis and Elena Mendez, TCAT Pulaski.
Faculty members of the year
- Community College: Dr. Lacey Benns, communications studies professor at Columbia State Community College.
- Finalists: Tracie Clifford, Chattanooga State Community College and Karen Perrin, Jackson State Community College.
- TCAT: Zachary Murray, welding technology instructor at TCAT McMinnville.
- Finalists: Melissa Price, TCAT Elizabethton and Kathryn Sparks, TCAT Jackson.
Staff members of the year
- Community College: Lewis Jackson, director of enrollment management and high school partnerships at Chattanooga State Community College.
- Finalists: Catelyn Cochran, Dyersburg State Community College and Courtney Woodard, Nashville State Community College
- TCAT: Crystal Hunter,accreditation, compliance and grants coordinator at TCAT Nashville.
- Finalists: Patricia Davis, TCAT Oneida/Huntsville and Erika Smith, TCAT Northwest.
Other 2026 SOAR Awards:
- Volunteer Award (recognizing an individual who has made a profound impact on the Foundation for the College System of Tennessee): Jennifer Kinsey, foundation board member and general manager & commercial business unit leader at Reeves Young.
- Philanthropy Award (recognizing individuals, businesses or organizations whose philanthropy has significantly benefited students): Morning Pointe Foundation.
- Partnership Awards (recognizing innovative collaborations among our colleges and businesses to benefit students): TCAT Northwest & Tipton County Executive Jeff Huffman, and Pellissippi State Community College & the Blount Partnership.
- Soaring Eagle Award (recognizing dedicated TBR system staff members who excel at serving our colleges and communities): Cris Perkins, TBR associate vice chancellor for strategic advancement & athletics.
Photo provided. Recipients of the Tennessee Board of Regents SOAR Awards for 2026 pictured above include, from left, front row, Jackson State Community College President Carol Rothstein, TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings, TCAT Knoxville President Kelli Chaney. Middle, Lewis Jackson of Chattanooga State Community College, Dr. Lacey Benns of Columbia State Community College, TCAT Northwest President Youlanda Jones, Crystal Hunter of TCAT Nashville, Mia Suarez of TCAT Athens, Pellissippi State Community College President Anthony Wise, Louis Rey Valenzuela of Pellissippi State. Back row, Zachary Murray of TCAT McMinnville, Greg Vital of the Morning Pointe Foundation, Brian Daniels of the Blount Partnership, Jennifer Kinsey of Reeves Young.
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