Lori Mitchell Navigates Tech Tools to Help Keep CAS Organized
Lori Mitchell joined the College of Arts and Sciences in November 2023 as the administrative associate for the college’s associate deans. In this role, she schedules appointments and meetings for the deans and a wide variety of other tasks within the college to help support the HR team.
She embraces her enthusiasm for organization to keep track of these calendars and remain up-to-date on the latest tools available. Mitchell was also part of the planning committee for the college’s inaugural Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium (ASUReS).
“I love a good Excel spreadsheet,” said Mitchell. “I love using technology to help us work smarter, not harder. K@teTraining and OIT training are great resources for professional development here at UT.”
She brings to her role organizational skills for working with multiple groups of staff simultaneously—and the ability to manage them all using the technological resources available.
“I’m a people person with 25-plus years of administrative experience in athletics and administration and I love helping others do their jobs more efficiently,” said Mitchell. “I am familiar with numerous software programs, and what I don’t know I’m willing to learn to be able to help those I work with or support.”
She has enjoyed being welcomed to the college and to Knoxville by the friendliness of her fellow staff.
“The environment here in the college feels like a family. Everyone is always willing to help each other out and do so with a smile,” she said. “I’m also enjoying the ability to learn new skills and the challenge that’s involved with learning the campus academia world after being in athletics for so long.”
Mitchell earned her BS degree in kinesiology, with an emphasis on athletic training, at San Diego State University, where she also worked for 24 years within the school’s athletics department. She moved to Knoxville in October 2022 and worked as the director of softball operations for the Lady Vol Softball team.
“I love the Big Orange Spirit, from the involvement in supporting athletics, to events within the college departments and the pride that people feel by working here,” she said.
Mitchell likes to travel back to San Diego to spend time with her son, Tyler, her parents, and her life-long friends. She enjoys going to the bay to paddle board, seeing live music, wine tasting, getting real Mexican food, or just enjoying the beach.
Here in Knoxville, she enjoys exploring the many things Big Orange Country has to offer.
“I love spending time at ‘The Bark’ with my basset hound, Elvis,” she said. “Also, going to athletic events, trying new restaurants, going to the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood, Gatlinburg, and just being within a few hours of a new and different place to explore and cross off an ever-growing list.”