Tennessee Foreign Language Institute Becomes Part of UT

KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee Foreign Language Institute is set to become an entity of the University of Tennessee system and the sixth agency of the UT Institute for Public Service on July 1, thanks to legislation by the Tennessee General Assembly.

The legislation eliminates the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute’s governing board, transfers its resources and assets to UT and renames it the Tennessee Language Center (TLC). Under this new arrangement, the center will tailor its mission to providing language services to state and local government entities in support of industrial recruitment, economic development and provision of government services. Through its five current agencies, IPS provides technical consulting and training to state and local governments, business and industry and law enforcement.

“We look forward to adding the important resources of the Tennessee Language Center to the rich portfolio of expertise and outreach already offered by our Institute for Public Service,” said UT President Joe DiPietro. “The ability to remove language barriers, whether as Tennessee competes in an increasingly globalized economy or as the state seeks to serve its increasingly diverse population, is an important asset I’m proud we can contribute.”

With the mission of Serving Business and Government to improve the lives of Tennesseans, IPS welcomes the Tennessee Language Center.

“This is a great opportunity for IPS to further our mission and work in Tennessee; and expand our already robust service offerings,” IPS Vice President Herb Byrd III said. “We look forward to welcoming the center staff to UT and adding 18 employees who are dedicated to public service.

The language center’s staff will become full-time employees of the university, but will remain headquartered in Nashville.

“We are excited to become part of a statewide university system,” said TLC Director Janice Rodriguez. “The Institute for Public Service has significant outreach across the state and that will be a tremendous asset as we provide our services to governments, industries and others.

Tags: Featured, Government Relations, Herb Byrd, Joe DiPietro, Legislation, Tennessee Foreign Language Institute, Tennessee General Assembly, UT Institute for Public Service