Anabel Anderson, Toni Perkins, and Ally Slater were familiar with each other through engineering classes and sorority events at the University of Tennessee. Their relationship escalated to a higher level, however, after participating in Student Outdoor Leadership Experience (SOLE) last year.
Run through the Tennessee Recreation Center for Students (TRECS), SOLE “focuses on learning technical skills like climbing, kayaking, biking, backpacking, and other backcountry travel while simultaneously diving into leadership, communication, teaching, risk management, and other skills needed to be an outdoor leader.”
Anderson, Perkins, and Slater spent more than 200 hours learning how to navigate the outdoors and become qualified to the join the staff at UT Outdoor Pursuits (UTOP) or work for another outfitter. During the class, they participated in four weekend trips and a weeklong expedition.
“When you’re in the middle of the woods, freezing, cold, and tired, you bond very quickly,” said Anderson, a junior mechanical engineering major.
Anderson, Perkins, and Slater were the only three engineering majors among the 12 UT students who participated in SOLE last year. They all enrolled in the class with an interest in the outdoors and wanted to broaden their horizons and develop leadership skills in real-world scenarios that present more volatile challenges.
“It’s really a growth process when they put in the work needed to lead a trip for 12 of their peers, especially for those three,” said UT Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator Josh Elder. “They really expanded their sphere and awareness throughout the class. It’s a great resume-building leadership experience while in college.”
Pushing Their Limits
Slater, a junior civil engineering student in the 2026 cohort of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program, led the SOLE group on a weekend backpacking trip to Frozen Head State Park. The Chattanooga, Tennessee, native had to plan the meal, the route, and where the group would camp—all while dealing with rain and snow in the forecast.
“I like guiding trips because it’s usually a lot of people who have never been before,” Slater said. “You get the opportunity to teach them and guide them through it, but you also have the opportunity to serve the people that you’re taking. It’s truly the Volunteer spirit.” 
Perkins, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from UT in 2023 and is pursuing her master’s degree, was introduced to rock climbing and rappelling in 2023 and it reignited her passion for outdoor activities. During her interview for SOLE, Perkins told Elder her weakness was water sports. He appointed her the leader for SOLE’s whitewater rafting weekend trip.
“I have gained a greater appreciation for people who push themselves to do hard things,” Perkins said. “There are some things that I don’t know if I’d do again because they were so hard, but I am very glad I attempted them. It gives me more confidence.”
Anderson, a Massachusetts native, participated in the Ignite Outdoors program before her freshman year at UT and has worked at the climbing wall on campus. Her experience with SOLE stretched her beyond her comfort zone at times.
“I definitely gained some leadership skills and some organizational skills because you have to plan trips,” Anderson said. “It made me realize how hard it was going to be to lead people who I know. It’s easier to lead students I just met or briefly met because I don’t have any expectations.”
Balancing Classes, Adventure
Slater is hoping to mix her love of the outdoors with her future career in engineering. She served an internship with the Tennessee Valley Authority in the summer of 2023 and was on site in Alabama doing a feasibility study. During the internship, she met a contractor who worked for a company that monitors landslides.
Taking part in SOLE’s weekend outdoor trips while taking classes at UT gave Slater a good handle on how to balance her priorities and be successful in each realm.
“It’s been challenging in a good way,” Slater said. “Some people complain about things being hard and having too much work, but that’s the real world. You have to learn to meet deadlines and keep up. It’s very similar to having a big girl job.”
Perkins has been working in the lab of MABE Assistant Professor Colleen Crouch since she was an undergraduate student. Her master’s thesis revolves around pulmonary wall shear stress, and she’s translated some of her leadership training to the lab.
“The undergrad research I did was extremely beneficial. I would recommend all undergrads take that opportunity if they can,” said Perkins, whose father studied forensic science at UT. “I am now mentoring undergraduate students on my techniques in the lab and that’s been a great experience.”
Staying Connected
Anderson, Perkins and Slater plan to stay involved in outdoor education as much as possible until finishing their studies UT. They love being able to escape from stress, unplug, and enjoy the serenity of nature for a few hours.
Slater worked as a UTOP student trip leader for Ignite Outdoors this summer. She guided incoming freshmen on a four-day trip that included backcountry camping, hiking, rafting, and swimming. Perkins has been approved to work trips for UTOP this fall as well.
The trio created a SOLE Surviving Women group chat during the class and have tried to stay in touch once it ended. Although they may drift apart eventually once their engineering careers begin, they know their bond will never fully break.
“It’s awesome because I don’t have a lot of friends that enjoy the outdoors, especially women friends that enjoy the outdoors,” Perkins said. “Meeting them has been really cool and we’ve talked about doing dinners and girl camping trips.”
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey (865-974-0683, rpotkey@utk.edu)