Dolly Parton & Belmont University Launch Five Spring Dolly U Courses

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Belmont University has collaborated with Dolly Parton and CTK Enterprises on the latest semester of Dolly U, a slate of immersive coursework and community initiatives inspired by Parton’s life, artistry and entrepreneurial spirit.

The partnership launched in 2025, and this semester will expand opportunities for students to engage in hands-on projects that bridge entertainment, business, communication and community outreach. Dolly U courses span three colleges, Entertainment & Music Business, Business and Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and students across entertainment, marketing, communications and business disciplines will collaborate on real-world projects.

Community Programs include the Billy the Kid Makes It Big Touring Production, in which Belmont’s Department of Theatre and Dance Repertory Company will bring Dolly Parton’s children’s book to life with a stage performance. Following its creation in fall 2025, the production will tour elementary schools across Davidson and Williamson Counties in spring 2026.

“Dolly’s career is a masterclass in character, creativity and innovation, and our spring Dolly U courses give students the opportunity to apply those same principles,” says Sarah Cates, Belmont’s vice president for imagination, strategic initiatives & partnerships. “From marketing the Broadway soundtrack to designing guest experiences for the SongTeller Hotel, they’re learning how Dolly’s artistry and entrepreneurial vision continue to shape culture and community. This dynamic curriculum doesn’t just teach about excellence but invites students to be part of creating it.”

Following the sold-out run of Dolly: A True Original Musical at Belmont’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, University President Greg Jones presented Dolly with a commemorative gift celebrating both the production’s remarkable achievement and Dolly U’s inaugural year on campus. The custom ceramic bowl, featuring a butterfly motif and sculpted by Audry Deal-McEver, symbolizes transformation and the creative spirit central to Dolly’s partnership with Belmont.

“Watching 49 consecutive sold-out audiences experience Dolly: A True Original Musical at the Fisher Center was nothing short of magical for Belmont, for Nashville and for the entire entertainment community,” says Jones. “Dolly’s partnership has brought unprecedented creative energy to our campus, and this commemorative gift symbolizes our deep gratitude for the transformative experiences she’s creating for our students.”

Spring 2026 Academic Coursework:

  • Entertainment Marketing and Promotion | Dr. Stephen Rush – Students will design marketing strategies for the “Dolly: A True Original Musical” soundtrack, applying real-world promotional techniques to a landmark Broadway launch.
  • Partnership Marketing in Music | John Zarling & Jackie Campbell, chief marketing officer and chief operations officer, Results Global, Dolly Parton’s marketing agency. Students will explore sponsorships, strategic alignments and nonprofit collaborations, with projects centered on Dolly’s Life Of Many Colors Museum.
  • Emerging Dolly Initiative | Dr. Anna Grace Usery – Students will develop integrated communication strategies for Dolly U programming focused on educational outreach or community engagement.
  • Dollyology: Branding, Leadership & Strategic Communication in the Dollyverse | Dr. Kevin Trowbridge – Students will examine Dolly Parton’s career as a blueprint for building purpose-driven brands, emphasizing authenticity, creativity and cultural intelligence
  • Customer Relationship Management and Experience Strategy | Dr. Angela Sebby – Students will design customer experience strategies tied to Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, part of the forthcoming Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel opening in 2026
Lorie Hollabaugh
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