South’s BEST Robotics, Sponsored by TVA, Comes to UNA

Nov. 16, 2023

Michelle R. Eubanks , UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256.765.4392

FLORENCE, AL – The University of North Alabama is poised to welcome hundreds of high school teams and students from around the Southeast as part of this year’s South’s BEST Robotics competition, scheduled to take place on campus Dec. 1-3. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has signed on as the sponsor for this year’s competition. 

“A great deal of work and preparation has gone in to cultivating the campus environment that will greet robotics teams, coaches, and families from around the southeast,” said Dr. Katie Kinney, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We are thrilled to be able to welcome them and to showcase the wonderful things happening at UNA. TVA is a perfect fit as a sponsor as both UNA and TVA pride ourselves on our STEM-related opportunities.” 

Through participation in BEST’s STEM program, students learn to analyze and solve problems using the Engineering Design Process, which helps them develop technological literacy skills that industry seeks in its workforce. 

“At TVA, we understand that developing energy systems of the future requires strategic partnerships, programs that enrich the communities we serve, and investments in education and the development of a skilled workforce,” said. Jared Mitchem, regional vice president for the Tennessee Valley Authority. “The University of North Alabama, BEST, and TVA share a common desire to engage and excite students about engineering, science, and technology as well as pursue careers in those fields.”

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: una.edu and una.edu/unaworks/.