By Carolina Naar and Mary Shelley-Snell

Carolina Naar (Ph.D. Food Science and Technology ‘07), who earned her doctorate in food science from the Herbert College of Agriculture, emphasizes the value of small acts when thinking about how you can make an impact not only in your community but for people all around the world. 

Naar, now the supply chain contract manufacturing senior manager with PepsiCo, has seen the impact of international opportunities throughout her own life. The desire to give back and help other people who may not have access to the same opportunities she’s had drove Naar to partner with PepsiCo and UTIA to create an endowment that supports students interested in studying food science. More recently, Naar began thinking about how this support could be expanded to impact her home country of Colombia. Because of Naar’s generous giving, together with the Department of Food Science and the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, the Smith Center hosted two students from UniAndes for research internships during the summer of 2025. Through this exchange program, the students were matched with faculty who have similar specialties to their future career goals.  

The Smith Center team is working towards a future where exchange programs like these can be expanded to have an even greater impact. Below, in her own words, Naar shares about her role in this future, why global engagement and investment takes on a special meaning for her, and how you never know how far a collection of small steps can take you.  

My journey began in Colombia, where I graduated from the Universidad de Los Andes with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology in 1996. It was there, surrounded by the curiosity of applied science and the potential of innovation, that I first became interested in the food industry. That interest led me to specialize in marketing, also at the UniAndes. A few years later, I traveled halfway across the world to pursue a Master of Applied Science in Chemical Technology at the University of South Australia (UNISA). 

Thanks to the incredible support of Frank Peddie, senior research fellow at UNISA, my time in Australia opened not only professional doors within the food industry, but also an unexpected and profound opportunity for lifelong learning. 

One of the most defining moments in my career was in 2002, when I reached out to Ann Draughon, emeritus distinguished professor in the Department of Food Science, after reading about her work as the co-director of the Food Safety Center of Excellence at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. That single email—one small action—opened the door to a Ph.D. in food science and technology under Draughon’s mentorship. Her support changed my life. 

When I reflect on my path, I see clearly that my journey has been shaped by moments of generosity—by teachers, advisors, and mentors who believed in me. Their guidance didn’t just mold my career—it played a meaningful role in forming who I am today, a Volunteer. 

At UT Knoxville, “Volunteer Spirit” is a way of life. It’s a proud tradition of selfless leadership, of stepping up—not for recognition but for impact. It’s a tradition of serving both your neighbors and the global community with humility and heart. 

Because borders don’t define our challenges anymore. Whether it’s climate change, public health, or education—we are all connected. And in this interconnected world, the Smith Center understands something essential: small actions create momentum. 

The programs at the Smith Center help us live out our Volunteer Spirit by encouraging us to take one step, one act, one spark. Like the butterfly effect, they show us that even the simplest acts by ordinary people can ripple outward in extraordinary ways. 

Two years ago, I met Tom Gill, Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture chair and director.  I had the dream to build an international student exchange program between UT and my alma mater in Colombia. It all started with a conversation, and from there we found common ground, shared passion, and a genuine desire to cultivate global relationships. We didn’t need a grand plan—we just needed a purpose, open hearts, and the willingness to begin. 

And begin we did. 

We leveraged my employee matching gift program; the PepsiCo Foundation encourages us to make a difference by supporting investments in education programs, training, and mentoring. We found the support of staff and professors who had similar interests. We learned something profound: legacy is not built overnight. It’s built on trust, curiosity, and consistent effort to do good with what you have. It’s not about status. It’s about service. 

So, I’ll leave you with this: 

Talk to your friends. Talk to your family. Ask them, what kind of mark—big or small—do you hope to leave on the world? Then take one small step in that direction, tap on a door and see what happens. Build momentum. Live your legacy—one small step at a time. 

Visit our blog or click the following links to learn more about Juliana and Javier’s experiences this summer.