- Major: Nuclear Engineering
- Hometown: Rutledge, TN
- Graduation Year: May 2025
- E-mail: bcopley1@vols.utk.edu
Ambassador Profile
Hey future Vols!
My name is Braden Copley, and I am currently a junior majoring in nuclear engineering.
I am from Rutledge, TN, which is about 40 minutes from Knoxville. In my free time I enjoy playing golf, disc golf, spending time with friends, or just doing absolutely nothing.
Alongside being an ambassador, I am also a UTA (Undergraduate Teaching Assistant) for the engineering fundamentals courses here at UT. Through this, I am able to help fellow engineering students get through their schoolwork the same way fellow peers helped me my first year. I am also a part of the American Nuclear Society chapter here at UT. This has allowed me to connect with many leaders and innovators in the world of nuclear engineering, and has helped me propel my career in the field.
Growing up in Tennessee, I have always been around the amazing atmosphere and environment of UT. Whether it be from going to sporting events, concerts, or any other special event, UT has been home to many childhood memories for me.
In addition, pursuing a nuclear engineering degree meant that I wanted to go to a school that had a top ranked nuclear engineering program and a close proximity to a national laboratory. Luckily for me, UT checked both of those boxes with most of the professors in the Nuclear Engineering program having experience working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. So, when it came to deciding where to go to college, UT was the only option for me.
I can still remember the cheers of the very first football game I ever went to as a kid. UT has always been my dream school, and after my first few semesters, it definitely has felt like a dream. I was very anxious about “fitting in” to the college lifestyle my freshman year, but I now have a great group of friends that can help make this huge university feel like a small town at times. I also was very nervous about whether or not I had what it took to become an engineer. However, the professors, advisors, tutors, and other amazing staff have helped me all along my college journey and truly seem like they care about the success of their students.
There are bountiful opportunities and resources to help you succeed in whatever paths you take here at UT. The University of Tennessee has always been home sweet home to me, and I would love to see you call it home too!
Go Vols!
