Emily Jackson, part-time meme artist and full-time AmeriCorps member, started her assignment with the Knoxville Regional TPO last August.

Emily has lived in Knoxville since she was born, a happy fact that was not exactly calculated. She describes Knoxville as having a “silly” personality. A city that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Knoxville presents as a simulation to Emily. Though such a description might sound a little odd, it makes Emily feel connected to the city. Knoxville is comfortable, easy, and familiar like the set of a long-watched television series.

After graduating high school, Emily went on to attend the University of Tennessee. Like most who enter college, she was not immediately sure of what she wanted to study. Through the various general courses she signed up for her freshman year, Emily learned she was energized by any opportunity to work with numbers. This was a good sign to her that math was probably the best fit.

In 2022, Emily graduated with her bachelor’s degree and continued with the window washing company she worked for in college. This job, though not clearly related to her freshly forged love for numbers, taught her patience and the importance of sunscreen. Arguably, her favorite part of the position was the ability to step into an unknown world–other people’s houses. An exterior scrub is not enough to leave a window sparkling, so she was usually required to enter the assigned homes or businesses to finish the job from the inside. 

Emily will tell you through a laugh, “I’ve probably been in your house.”

In March of the following year, Emily began the application and interview process to join AmeriCorps. Knowing she would have some choice over her assignment, Emily looked for a position that would allow her to use her math knowledge and learn new analytical skills.

Over the past year, Emily has managed the daily operations of Smart Trips and I Bike Knox and has had the opportunity to work on GIS projects, including Safe Routes to School.

When she’s not in the office, Emily is likely to be found at The Pilot Light in the Old City. Sometimes she plays bass or the drums, but she mostly enjoys listening to local musicians and the occasional spoken word poet. Emily is also likely to be spotted riding her bike around Old North or experiencing German life with a veggie brat in hand at Schulz Brau. 

Emily has been a valuable member of our team during her term, happily completing a wide variety of assigned tasks and working on several significant projects. We are so grateful for her positive attitude and all the contributions she has made!