University of Tennessee and LEO Events Announce Second Cohort of LEO Fellows

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Posted: October 22, 2025

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Program Equips Students with Hands-On Experience in Corporate Event Planning and Production

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in partnership with award-winning live events agency LEO Events, is proud to announce the second cohort of the LEO Fellows Program, a year-long apprenticeship designed to prepare students for careers in the corporate events industry.

Ten students from the UT College of Communication & Information and the College of Education, Health & Human Sciences have been selected for the 2025 program:

  • Ella Herring (Parkton, MD) – Hospitality & Tourism Management, Senior, LEO Fellows Co-Captain
  • Josiah Rushing (Sparta, TN) – Public Relations, Junior, LEO Fellows Co-Captain
  • Abigail Cheslock (Binghamton, NY) – Advertising, Senior
  • Caden Dyer (Dayton, TN) – Public Relations, Junior
  • Eliza Underwood (Brentwood, TN) – Communication Studies, Junior
  • Lydia Wilt (York, PA) – Hospitality & Tourism Management, Sophomore
  • Maggie Meier (Nashville, TN) – Advertising, Junior
  • Milli Mitchell (Seymour, TN) – Hospitality & Tourism Management, Senior
  • Nia Powers (Sparta, TN) – Communication Studies, Junior
  • Taylor Ellison (Memphis, TN) – Advertising, Senior

The LEO Fellows Program provides students with immersive, hands-on training in event production and management. Over the course of the year, Fellows will gain real-world experience across various disciplines within the corporate events industry, including strategy, logistics, creative production, and guest experience. Participants work directly with professionals at LEO Events and industry partners, building professional networks and receiving mentorship to prepare them for careers in the global events marketplace.

The partnership began as a result of an alumni listening tour during which university leaders spoke with various College of Communication and Information alumni, including LEO Principal, Cindy Brewer. Productive discussions uncovered a glaring need: hands-on experiential learning opportunities for students in corporate event management. And so, the LEO Fellows Program was born. 

“Investing in the next generation of event professionals is critical to the future of our industry,” Cindy Brewer, Co-Founder and Principal of LEO Events said. “Through the Fellows Program, students gain real-world exposure to what it takes to deliver exceptional live events. We’re thrilled to help cultivate emerging talent who will lead the industry forward.”

Now in its second year, the program has already proven to be a pipeline for developing high-potential talent in corporate event planning, production, and experiential marketing. By bridging classroom education with applied industry experience, LEO Fellows graduate with a competitive edge and a portfolio of meaningful work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about the program, visit:

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