Thank you for your interest in our program! Skill Up Tennessee is UT Extension’s SNAP Employment and Training program. Below you will see our vision and mission, and you can meet the team.
Individuals interested in participating can visit our SNAP Participants page to learn more. If you’re from an agency or organization, please visit our Partners page. Email us anytime at skillup@tennessee.edu or Contact Us.
Vision and Mission
Vision
Tennesseans achieving economic independence and contributing to vibrant, resilient communities.
Mission
Connecting Tennessee SNAP recipients with access to education and training that will lead to self-sufficiency and thriving communities.
Meet Our Team
Clint is the Project Director for Skill Up Tennessee, UT Extension’s SNAP Employment and Training program focused on helping Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment. Prior to this role he worked to coordinate training and coalition development activities and served as part of state leadership team for the Tennessee Nutrition and Consumer Education Program (TNCEP) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Clint was an Extension agent in Monroe and Knox Counties before moving to the state office.
Shelly is the Assistant Project Director for Skill Up Tennessee, UT Extension’s SNAP Employment and Training program focused on helping Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment. Prior to this role, she worked as a county based Extension agent in family and consumer sciences serving in Wilson County.
Lenita Watson is our Western Region Career Navigator of the Skill Up Tennessee program. Lenita has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Lenita has a background of working in higher education admission roles and customer service; she has been in her current role as a Career Navigator since November 2022. Lenita says that she was drawn to this position because it allows her to operate in her passion of helping others. As a Career Navigator, Lenita enjoys helping her participants receive the assistance they need to accomplish their dreams of completing training and building a career. She also enjoys being able to encourage and motivate to keep going when things get tough.
In her spare time, Lenita loves spending time with her daughter and grandson. Lenita can be contacted via email at lwatso35@utk.edu or phone at 731-215-0461.
Melissa Dobbins is the Career Navigator for the Central Region. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University. She has worked as a social worker for the past 25 years. She has served in various roles as a social worker such as: mental health care coordinator, head start advocate, geriatrics, and workforce development. She demonstrates advocacy, case management, empathy, engagement and dignity to each of her participants. She has a deep passion in empowering people and communities. She can be reached at 615-900-5602 or by email at mdobbin2@utk.edu.
Autumn Williford serves as the Career Navigator in the Eastern Region, where her responsibilities are to help participants gain the confidence and courage to expand their careers. This can look different for each participant, but one example is by helping the participants enroll in training to gain skills to expand their careers. With a bachelor’s degree in child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee, Autumn can meet people wherever they are in their life to better serve them as individuals in the Skill Up TN program. Autumn has a true passion helping individuals and families.
Connie Goodman is the Accounting Specialist for Skill Up Tennessee. She supports the team by managing the program budget and ensuring compliance with grant spending guidelines. Connie loves being part of such an extraordinary team that is making a difference in people’s lives all across Tennessee.
Barb Siddiqui is the Administrative Associate for Skill Up Tennessee. She is focused on supporting the team with all clerical, administrative, and data entry responsibilities which helps strengthen the team and program. Barb’s favorite part of the Skill Up Tennessee program is hearing about the positive impacts the program makes for the participants and their families. She is also proud of our program because we are truly helping people succeed.
Faculty
