Tiffany Sithiphone (BS/ISE ’15) is not afraid to admit her college experience wasn’t easy. She struggled with classes and her grades suffered. If not for the support she received from faculty, administrators, and fellow students at UT, Sithiphone may have given up.
“There were times where I felt like maybe I didn’t belong, maybe I wasn’t good enough or smart enough to do this,” Sithiphone said. “But I’m so glad I didn’t let those fears get to me and leave engineering, because I would not be where I am today if I did that.”
Rather than allowing the adversity to bring her down, Sithiphone gained strength from her perseverance. It has led to a successful professional career and a spot in the 2025 Volunteer 40 Under 40 Class.
Sithiphone works at FanDuel in Atlanta as the director of product analytics and experimentation. She manages a team that is responsible for analyzing data on how customers engage with FanDuel products, including Fantasy, Racing, Faceoff, and the company’s new ventures.
The Nashville native previously worked at Bleacher Report as the senior manager for product analytics and at Turner Sports in data strategy and insights. Her transition to FanDuel this year came because a former colleague thought she would be perfect for the role.
“As a student at UT, networking was really drilled into our heads,” Sithiphone said. “Ever since then, I’ve always valued making connections with people, whether that was in the workplace or outside of the workplace and maintaining relationships with people beyond the job.”
Strong support system
Sithiphone was a first-generation college student. Her parents immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s as refugees from Laos.
“They came to this country in search of a better life. They instilled in me and my sister the value of education and getting a college degree,” said Sithiphone, who was first exposed to engineering at Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School in Nashville. “They sacrificed so much for me to be where I am today and their American dream was to see their children succeed.”
Sithiphone switched her engineering major at UT several times before she graduated. She started in electrical, tried computer science, and ultimately found her calling in industrial and systems.
Sithiphone credits Travis Griffin, the Fred D. Brown Jr. Director of the Dwight Hutchins Engineering Diversity Programs, for helping her realize IE was the best fit for what she wanted to do in life.
“I honestly have no regrets. I did a 180 after I came to the ISE department,” Sithiphone said. “The department was smaller, and Mr. Griffin helped me pick out my class schedule so that I was taking classes with other students in the TLSAMP (Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation) program. I would not have graduated without Mr. Griffin. He’s one of the biggest influences in my life.”
Sithiphone took advantage of all the resources UT offered during college. She attended the Engineering Expo and UT job fair every semester she was in school, and received numerous internship opportunities and her first full-time job offer through those events.
“I would tell any student, go to the Expo and career fairs. That is what they are for, and it can help you so much,” Sithiphone said. “The Office of Engineering Professional Practice was so valuable for me, especially (Assistant Director) Suzanne Sawicki. I still keep in touch with her.”
Keeping the Volunteer spirit
Sithiphone was involved in several organizations while attending UT and continues to play an active role in many of them. She is president of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Atlanta and remains a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). She also contributes to local charities in the Atlanta area.
“My volunteer journey really took off at UT, and the Volunteer spirit is something that I carry with me today,” Sithiphone said. “Giving back and serving the community is something that is really important to me and will continue to be a priority for me.”
One of Sithiphone’s goals was to be selected as a Volunteer 40 Under 40 because of how much she values the honor. Having now achieved that milestone, she’s beginning to set new career benchmarks.
“I hope I can find different ways to give back to UT,” Sithiphone said. “I have benefited so much from graduating from UT and the Tickle College of Engineering, so I want to find a way to give back to students in the future.”
Sithiphone is willing to share her personal journey with any student who may be having a difficult time in college. She still remembers harboring self-doubts and wondering if others were experiencing the same.
“There were several classes that I had to take again, and classes I took where the credits didn’t apply to my major. At the time, it was embarrassing to talk about. But looking back now, I am proud to say I never gave up,” Sithiphone said. “All of the adversities I faced helped me get to where I am today, and I hope to inspire others to never stop chasing their dreams.”
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey (865-974-0683, [email protected])