The College of Business and Technology is pleased to announce the promotion of Dr. Christel Young to the position of Site Director at the BlueSky Tennessee Institute, effective January 1, 2024.
With a distinguished background in education spanning multiple states, Dr. Young has consistently demonstrated her unwavering commitment to student success. Serving as the Director for Using Information Technology (CSCI 1100) since 2021, she has overseen a team of over a dozen graduate teaching assistants and associates, guiding more than 2,000 ETSU students through the course each semester.
Dr. Young is widely recognized for her passionate advocacy for students, strong leadership skills, and enthusiastic commitment to providing a positive educational experience. Holding a Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University and a Doctor of Education degree in Instructional Technology from the American College of Education, Dr. Young has made substantial contributions to academic literature, including writing the foreword for a nursing student's book on medication dosage calculations and co-authoring two book chapters.
In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Young has extended her outreach to the community, organizing a successful summer camp in 2023 for middle and high school students titled "Musical Code of Liberation Coding Camp”. Dr. Young also oversaw a Drone and Robotics Club specifically for underserved students. This initiative reflects her dedication to fostering inclusivity and providing opportunities for underprivileged youth to explore and engage with emerging technologies.
As Site Director for BlueSky Tennessee Institute, Dr. Young will now take on the responsibility of managing the day-to-day operations of this unique educational partnership between ETSU and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST). Under her guidance, BlueSky students will have the opportunity to pursue an ABET-accredited B.S. in Computing from ETSU in just 2.5 years, with the program hosted at the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee headquarters. This innovative program offers mentoring and job-embedded internship opportunities with BCBST leaders, and BlueSky students can earn their degrees at no cost, with potential positions at BCBST upon graduation.
ETSU and the BlueSky Tennessee Institute are enthusiastic about the leadership and expertise that Dr. Christel Young brings to her new role as Site Director and look forward to continued success under her guidance.
About BlueSky Tennessee Institute:
BlueSky Tennessee Institute is an educational partnership between East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST), offering a unique and accelerated path for students to earn a B.S. in Computing. The program combines academic excellence with practical experience, preparing students for successful careers in the field.