Spring courses connect students to real-world projects including Dolly: A True Original Musical, Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel, Dolly’s Life Of Many Colors Museum, and Billy The Kid Makes It Big Children’s Theatrical Show
Belmont University, Dolly Parton and CTK Enterprises announce the latest iteration of the Dolly U partnership: a dynamic slate of immersive coursework and community initiatives inspired by the life, artistry and entrepreneurial spirit of Dolly Parton. Building on the partnership’s successful 2025 launch, this semester will expand opportunities for students to engage in hands-on projects that bridge entertainment, business, communication and community outreach.
This semester’s Dolly U courses span three colleges –– Entertainment & Music Business, Business and Liberal Arts & Social Sciences –– reflecting the interdisciplinary innovation at the heart of this partnership. Students across entertainment, marketing, communications and business disciplines will collaborate on real-world projects that bridge creative and strategic thinking.
Spring 2026 Academic Coursework
- Entertainment Marketing and Promotion | 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 of record.
Students will explore sponsorships, strategic alignments and nonprofit collaborations, with projects centered on Dolly’s Life Of Many Colors Museum. - Shaping the Story: Strategic Communication for an Emerging Dolly Initiative | 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| 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 | 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.
Community Programs
- “Billy the Kid Makes It Big” Touring Production
Belmont’s Department of Theatre and Dance Repertory Company will bring Dolly Parton’s children’s book to life with a stage performance piece. Following its creation in fall 2025, the production will tour elementary schools across Davidson and Williamson Counties in spring 2026.
Celebrating a Historic Milestone
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 Parton 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," said University President Dr. Greg 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.”
Sarah Cates, Belmont’s vice president for imagination, strategic initiatives & partnerships, added, "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. 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.”
This programming reflects the University's commitment to immersive education, blending academic rigor with experiential learning. By partnering with Dolly Parton's creative ventures, students gain unparalleled opportunities to apply their skills in marketing, communication, performance and business strategy while contributing to initiatives that celebrate storytelling, community and imagination.
Explore Dolly U at Belmont