Andrew Tessier joined the college communications team in January as the new creative communications manager. He received his BFA in graphic design from UT in 2008 and worked as a design manager for the UT Student Life Division before joining Provision Healthcare as their senior creative manager.
He is excited to be back on campus and working in the College of Arts and Sciences, which provides opportunities to work on a variety of projects.
“History and tradition are ranked high on my list of things I like about UT,” Tessier said. “I’m fortunate to be back here working in a creative role after spending almost a decade in healthcare. The energy and people on campus set a stage for meaningful and impactful work.”
Originally from North Carolina, Tessier moved to Knoxville in 1999. He has lived in Atlanta, Richmond, and Dallas, but calls Tennessee home.
“It would take something particularly special to pull me away from this area that’s become such a great place to call home,” Tessier said. “I’ve fallen in love with this city, its people, the surrounding communities, and the beautiful outdoors.”
Tessier enjoys spending time outside cycling, hiking, and camping.
“One item on my bucket list is to cycle through the entirety of Japan in the springtime,” he said. Other hobbies include cooking, reading, and photography.
“I love lots of coffee and good conversation,” Tessier said. He also enjoys spending time with his seven-year-old niece and his dog, Herman.
If given the opportunity to have lunch with anyone, Tessier would choose his mother.
“She died from pancreatic cancer too early, and there’s so much I’d like to share with her!”
Tessier lives his life by two quotes. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,” from Martin Luther King Jr. and “Only you can take inner freedom away from yourself, or give it to yourself. Nobody else can,” from Michael A. Singer.
Welcome to the college!