Executive Leadership Institute Cohorts
Christopher Clark
Acting Executive Dean
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Dr. Christopher Clark currently serves as acting executive dean of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Prior to assuming that role, he was professor and head of the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics. He joined the department in 2002 as an assistant professor.
By training, he is an environmental and natural resource economist who has performed research on a variety of issues related to agricultural production and consumer behavior. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in microeconomics, natural resource economics, and agricultural and environmental law. He earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Vanderbilt University, a J.D. from Tulane University, and a B.B.A. from the University of Tennessee. Prior to pursuing graduate studies in economics, he worked as an attorney in Nashville.
Christopher Finch
Chair and Professor
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Pharmacy
Christopher K. Finch, Pharm.D., FCCM, FCCP was born in Memphis. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Lambuth University in Jackson, and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis. He completed a specialized residency in clinical pharmacy with a focus on internal medicine at the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Finch taught for two years at Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy and the University of Alabama School of Medicine before moving back to his hometown of Memphis in the summer of 2003. While in Memphis, Dr. Finch served in several roles during his 16 years at Methodist Healthcare University Hospital, including the director of pharmacy for the last five years before leaving for UTHSC. As Chair, he continues to coordinate and teach in several courses at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy.
His clinical interests include pulmonary disease, drug interactions, adverse drug events and drug-induced disease. Dr. Finch has published over 70 manuscripts in several well-recognized pharmacy and medical journals and has been an invited speaker at several national medical and pharmacy conferences. He is a fellow in both the American College of Critical Care Medicine and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. He was selected Tom C. Sharp Pharmacist of the Year in 2019 by the Tennessee Pharmacist Association and received the inaugural ACCP Clinical Administration PRN Achievement Award in 2020.
Yousef Hamadeh
Assistant General Council
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Yousef Hamadeh received a B.B.A. in international business from the University of Mississippi and a J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law. After law school, he joined the firm of Chambliss, Bahner and Stophel in Chattanooga, where he practiced for 10 years, maintaining primarily a commercial litigation practice.
Hamadeh joined the Office of General Counsel in 2016 as assistant general counsel. He provides counsel to the UT Chattanooga campus on a broad range of legal matters, including student conduct, faculty and staff employment, policy and contract/transactional issues.
Andrew Horton
Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Andrew Horton is in his 21st year in athletics at UTC and currently serves as the Mocs’ deputy athletics director for external operations. He provides oversight for ticketing and sales, with a primary focus on marketing, as well as the oversight for men’s basketball, women’s soccer and spirit programs.
A 2002 Chattanooga graduate, he earned a degree in sports administration and completed his master’s degree in public administration from UTC in 2009.
Horton is a native of Chattanooga and a graduate of Soddy Daisy High School. He is married to the former Jennifer McGinnis of Pulaski, and they have two children.
Shewanee Howard-Baptiste
Vice Provost for Academic Outreach and Professional Development
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste serves as vice provost for academic outreach and professional development at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Her role involves overseeing internal campus grants, faculty awards, professional development opportunities and fostering partnerships between the academic institution and the local community.
Beyond her administrative responsibilities, Dr. Howard-Baptiste has been a professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, where she directed the Master of Public Health program. Her commitment extends beyond campus borders; she frequently engages in teaching and supporting public health initiatives in Haiti, particularly for school-age children and their families.
Beyond academia, she is deeply involved in various organizations, serving on the board of directors for CEMPA Community Care, the American Heart Association, Chattanooga Preparatory School and Montessori Elementary at Highland Park, and she is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her values underscore collaboration, shared governance, and inclusivity and ensuring diverse voices contribute to collective decision-making involving students, faculty, staff and the wider community.
Jacquelyn Johnson
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
University of Tennessee, Martin
Dr. Jackie Johnson serves as the assistant vice chancellor of alumni relations and annual giving at the University of Tennessee, Martin. In this role, Dr. Johnson leads a talented team of alumni and annual giving staff that coordinates the annual homecoming celebration, Captain’s Challenge, UTM Engagement Center, alumni events, and alumni and annual giving communications.
Johnson began her higher education career in the WestStar Leadership Program as budget coordinator. She was named an honorary graduate of the WestStar Leadership Class of 2012. Then, she transitioned to coordinator of UT Martin’s dual enrollment program, where she oversaw enrollment and financial aid processes for high school students pursuing collegiate courses. In 2016, Johnson was named assistant director of alumni programming, organizing the alumni chapter program as well as the UT Martin and city of Martin Town and Gown Program. She was later promoted to her current role as assistant vice chancellor in 2019.
She holds a Ph.D. in learning and leadership from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. She also received her master’s in business administration as well as bachelor’s of international studies from UT Martin. The highlight of her collegiate career was pursuing international travel. The experience has fueled her desire to provide external funds for student experiences and encourages her work in engaging alumni.
Johnson has received numerous awards, most recently the 2022 UT Foundation Board of Directors Award. She was also named Weakley County’s Young Professional of the Year in 2018. This award is given by the Weakley County Young Professionals, which she co-founded in 2016.
Tarah Keeler
Executive Director and Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Tarah Keeler joined UT Knoxville Human Resources as compensation manager in 2016. She has served as executive director and deputy chief human resources officer for UT Knoxville Human Resources since 2022. In this role, Tarah is responsible for leading compensation, recruitment and HR analytics functions for the Knoxville area.
Tarah holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Maha Krishnamurthy
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
University of Tennessee Research Foundation
Dr. Maha Krishnamurthy is president of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. She oversees all aspects of the UT Research Foundation, including the two technology transfer offices (the multi-campus office in Knoxville and the office in Memphis) and their staff. These offices are responsible for commercializing UT’s innovations, promoting an entrepreneurial culture and assisting UT in growing its research.
Maha also manages UTRF’s $5M Accelerate Venture Fund and oversees UTRF’s subsidiary companies, which are established to support the research and economic development mission of the University of Tennessee.
Before joining UTRF in 2011, Maha served as an intellectual property commercialization consultant for Fuentek, LLC, and UT-Battelle and a physics research associate and lecturer at UT, Knoxville. Maha holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Xavier College in India, a master’s in business administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Ph.D. in physics from Colorado State University.
Katie Lane
Deputy General Counsel
University of Tennessee System, Office of General Counsel
Katie Lane is a Knoxville native who received a B.A. from the University of Virginia. She earned her J.D., magna cum laude, at Washington and Lee University, and was elected to the Order of the Coif, an honor society. During law school, she served on the editorial board of the Washington & Lee Law Review. After law school, Lane practiced law with Hunton and Williams in Richmond, Va., (and later the Knoxville office of Hunton and Williams) with a corporate and securities law practice. She left private practice to serve as corporate counsel for Knoxville-based Jewelry Television.
Katie joined the Office of General Counsel in 2009. She maintains a broad business and transactional practice focusing on matters involving real estate, gifts and estates, tax issues, contract review, alumni affairs and employee benefits issues.
Chandra Myrick
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Chandra Myrick serves as the associate vice chancellor for student life at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She provides administrative direction for University Housing, Student Life Communications, the Office of Assessment and Strategic Initiatives, and Student Life Special Projects. She serves as a key strategist to the vice chancellor for student life and is responsible for aligning divisional goals, strategic priorities and initiatives with the institutional strategic vision.
Prior to her current role, Chandra served as executive director of university housing at UT, Knoxville. She worked in housing and residence life at Florida State University, Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. She is a past president of the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) and has served as faculty for the National Housing Training Institute (NHTI) and the Regional Entry Level Institute (RELI). Chandra has been involved in the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) through her service on the research committee, as a representative for the CAS Housing and Residence Life Revision Committee, and guest editor for a special issue of the Journal of College and Student Housing.
Chandra earned a bachelor’s degree from Troy State University and master’s and doctoral degrees from Florida State University. Her research interests are housing and residence life, women in leadership and Black women in higher education.
Mansour Parsi
Chief of Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Mansour Parsi, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Oslo in Oslo, Norway, before completing a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in gastroenterology at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. He then completed an advanced fellowship in therapeutic endoscopy and pancreatobiliary disease at the University of Virginia.
Mansour joined the faculty at the Cleveland Clinic in 2005 and became the director of therapeutic endoscopy and pancreatobiliary disorders at the Cleveland Clinic in 2011. In 2018, he accepted the role of chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at Tulane University in New Orleans. He then joined the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2021.
Tony Parsley
Associate Vice Chancellor of IT and Associate Chief Information Officer
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
During his 24-year tenure at the UT Chattanooga (UTC), Tony Parsley has embraced various roles within information technology (IT), each adding to a diverse range of experiences. Tony serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor of IT and Associate Chief Information Officer for the UTC campus. A proud alumnus of UTC, Tony earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, showcasing his commitment to excellence in education and professional development.
Nothing has been more rewarding for Tony than the privilege of pouring knowledge and guidance into the many dedicated employees he has had the pleasure of working with over the years. His academic background, combined with more than two decades of hands-on experience, has positioned him as a seasoned professional who’s ready to expand his knowledge and collaboration across the enterprise.
Tony’s ability to connect people shines through as he actively engages key divisional leaders as well as faculty and staff across the campus. His skill for fostering meaningful connections extends to students, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of their experiences as it relates to technology and how IT can help improve their academic experience. This unique skill set positions Tony as not only a seasoned professional but also a bridge-builder, dedicated to creating a collaborative environment for all.
Danny Pirtle
Associate Professor
Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Tennessee, Martin
Dr. Pirtle has over 20 years of practical experience working with at-risk youth and community outreach/program development. His research focuses on program development, management and assessment. Danny is an active scholar with several publications, guided by a culturally responsive framework. He has been funded to develop and manage multiple community outreach programs, which have focused primarily on increasing minority student success in college, delinquency prevention and intervention.
Most recently, Dr. Pirtle has been instrumental in assisting in wrongful conviction litigation, which led to a conviction being overturned. He has extensive experience collaborating with local and state agencies and officials and has been recognized for his ability to garner buy-in from his peers and colleagues.
Dr. Pirtle’s most notable leadership experience is his work as a county administrator in a large urban probation department where he served as deputy director of research, quality assurance and training. He was also deputy director of educational services, where he oversaw a budget of well over $10 million and led a staff of 185 professional and support staff and educators responsible for providing educational services to adjudicated youth in a multi-campus system licensed and monitored by the Texas Education Agency. He holds a B.S. in interdisciplinary studies from Tennessee State University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in juvenile justice from Prairie View A&M University.
Aimee Rose
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications & Marketing
University of Tennessee, Southern
Aimee Rose is an accomplished strategic communications professional with a proven track record spanning various industries and sectors. In her current role as vice chancellor for strategic communications and marketing at the University of Tennessee Southern, Rose collaborates closely with the senior leadership team, overseeing core messaging, brand strategies and leading creative development for all published materials. With over 20 years of diverse experience, including leadership roles at Discovery Communications, Ogilvy Public Relations, Edelman, Mary Baldwin University and Shenandoah University, she has spearheaded successful brand transformation campaigns across higher education, healthcare, government and commercial sectors, earning accolades for her innovative and results-driven approach.
Rose’s global experience includes leading digital PR and public affairs, and strategic communications and marketing for prominent brands such as SC Johnson, BP and BlackBerry. During her tenure at BP, she supported crisis management through the Deepwater Horizon incident and led the global command center for the worldwide product launch of the BlackBerry Z10. Rose has also contributed to non-profit and government sectors, including the Centers for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health. Her impact extends to the historic turnaround story at MBU, where she led efforts resulting in increased enrollment by over 200% in one year, earning her the 2019 National Marketer of the Year Award from the American Marketing Association. Rose holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Rhode Island.
Erica Siemers
Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Development
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Erica is a Pennsylvania native who headed west to attend Colorado College, where she earned her B.A. in history. She spent the first part of her career at Broomfield Academy as a secondary school teacher, humanities department lead, and cross country and track coach. After completing her MBA at the University of Colorado-Denver, she began her professional journey in philanthropy with the Colorado School of Mines Foundation. At Mines, she oversaw donor relations, communications, campaign operations, gift administration, events and prospect research teams, and she cultivated gifts in support of engineering and athletics.
In her next role as regional executive director for UC Health’s northern Colorado foundations, she reorganized and rebranded the philanthropic efforts of affiliated hospitals through a merger and subsequent period of extensive growth.
Erica joined the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga in April 2022 as senior associate vice chancellor for development, where she oversees university-wide development and advancement services. She lives in Signal Mountain with Art, her husband of 25 years, and their doted-on dogs, Barley and Cody.
Ansley Stanfill
Associate Dean of Research
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Ansley Stanfill, associate dean of research for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing, received a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Vanderbilt University, her B.S.N. from Saint Louis University, her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and her postdoctoral training in genomics from the University of Pittsburgh.
She holds a joint appointment in the College of Medicine, Department of Genetics, Genomics and Informatics, and a faculty appointment in the Neuroscience Institute. Her work is on the influence of genetic and epigenetic factors on long-term outcomes in neurological injury and chronic disease. In addition to her federal funding support from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the Health Resources and Services Administration, Dr. Stanfill has received grants from the North American Academy of Neuropsychology, Sigma Theta Tau, the International Society of Nurses in Genetics and the Southern Nursing Research society. She has been published many times in basic science and nursing research journals and regularly presents her work at local, regional, national and international conferences.
Ashley Stokes
Dean & Director, UT Extension
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Dr. Ashley M. Stokes is the first woman to serve as dean and director of University of Tennessee Extension in its more than 100 years of service to Tennesseans and has been in this role since February 22, 2021. Stokes has a broad history of service to the national cooperative extension system. UT Extension has professionals and offices in all 95 counties, four 4-H and Youth Development Centers, Lone Oaks Farm, specialists on campus as well as statewide, totaling nearly 1,000 Extension professionals across Tennessee.
Stokes has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and both a D.V.M. and Ph.D. from the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, where she also served on the faculty in veterinary clinical sciences. Starting in 2009, she spent six years at the University of Hawaii, where she was the sole veterinary extension specialist serving the state and U.S. territories throughout the Pacific. She conducted veterinary research while at UH, taught animal science and led the pre-veterinary program.
Stokes previously served as associate vice president for engagement and extension and deputy director of extension at Colorado State University, where her duties included leadership with CSU Extension and CSU Online. She also was part of the leadership for the CSU Office of Community and Economic Development; the Colorado Water Center; and international programs in Ethiopia, Japan and the Pacific region focused on university collaboration with communities to address local, regional and global challenges. She also previously served as assistant dean of the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2018, she completed her MBA from Colorado State University with a focus on marketing and communications.
Jessica Thoman
Professor of Music
University of Tennessee, Martin
Dr. Jessie Thoman, professor of music at the University of Tennessee, Martin, earned degrees at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam (B.M.), The Ohio State University (M.M., M.A.) and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music (D.M.). Thoman is an active orchestral musician and for 14 years was the hornist and founding member of the Mirari Brass Quintet, an internationally touring ensemble that maintained a busy performing and educational outreach schedule. Having released two albums, Spires, and Renewed, Reused, Recycled (Summit Records) as well as hosting a podcast where members discussed a variety of music related topics entitled, Mirari: Unmuted!, Thoman recently resigned to focus on her new passion in leadership and administration.
Thoman’s educational career includes public school teaching and collegiate faculty positions empowering musicians to share their unique stories through all facets of music. A passionate educator, performer and speaker, Thoman fiercely advocates for the success and happiness of all students and people through more than a decade of experience, leadership, fearlessness and compassion.
Known for her unabashed laugh and high energy, Thoman connects with people of all ages, encouraging growth, improvement and self-love that allows them to reach and fulfill their own dreams.
Jennifer Tourville
Executive Director, UT SMART Initiative
UT Institute for Public Service
Dr. Jennifer Tourville is an East Tennessee native and serves as the Executive Director of the UT Institute for Public Service SMART Initiative, which was developed to help the state address the grand challenge of overcoming addiction. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Vanderbilt University and continues her work as a nurse practitioner.
Her previous role with UT was as faculty with the College of Nursing, where she taught newborn and pediatric courses and mentored student research related to neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Dr. Tourville also co-directs a Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grant funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration, which provides various substance use disorder services to rural East Tennessee communities. She also serves on several university and community task forces.
Josh Warren
Senior Director of State Relations and Partnerships
UT System, Office of Government Relations and Advocacy
Josh Warren serves as the senior director of state relations and partnerships for the UT Office of Government Relations and Advocacy. In this role, Warren manages a host of state, federal and strategic issues on behalf of the UT System. Warren works with elected officials to advance the university’s interests and often serves as a spokesperson before the Tennessee General Assembly.
Warren leads a new practice area for the UT Office of Government Relations and Advocacy by working with state government leaders to develop and secure new partnerships that benefit both the university and the state. This exciting work has helped launched the Grow Your Own Program with the Tennessee Department of Education, developed a mobile Covid-19 vaccination clinic operated by UT Health Science Center with support from the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, and funded the construction of the Water and Education Training Center at UTIA’s Lone Oak Farms with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Prior to joining the UT System, Warren served as the legislative liaison for the Tennessee Department of Education. In this role, he worked under Governor Bill Haslam and Commissioner Candice McQueen, helping advance the department’s legislative and budget priorities. Warren earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and has been with the UT System for six years. By participating in the ELI program, Warren seeks to develop new strengths and understandings in other areas of higher education and plan for long-term growth at the university.
Jennifer Webster
Chief of Staff for the Office of Research, Innovation, & Economic Development
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Jennifer Webster is the chief of staff for the Office of Research, Innovation, & Economic Development (ORIED), with 15+ years of experience supporting research, innovation and economic development initiatives at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her role is to provide connectivity and engagement between ORIED leadership and stakeholders across UT in pursuit of shared efforts to support the university’s research enterprise.
She provides insights, connections and resources that facilitate imagination and collaboration, amplify the power of good ideas and result in awards and recognition for the research, scholarship and creative activities of UT’s talented campus community. She has a B.A. in philosophy from UT, an M.A. in political science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and she is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
Brent Wren
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
University of Tennessee, Southern
Dr. Brent Wren joined UT Southern as vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs in April 2023. In this role he is charged with providing a transformative student experience for the newest campus in the University of Tennessee System by providing strategic direction for all prospective student recruitment, student enrollment and the holistic support of all students during their time at the university. These efforts are in direct support of the university’s enrollment, retention and graduation goals.
During his 30-year career in higher education, Dr. Wren has held a variety of faculty and administrative roles in higher education, including 27 years at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), where he started as an assistant professor of marketing in the College of Business in 1994 and advanced through the academic ranks before retiring from UAH as professor of marketing and associate provost of academic affairs and student success. There, he developed and managed a diverse set of units and programming initiatives focused on student recruiting and retention, student success, advising, teaching excellence and accreditation.
Dr. Wren believes there is no greater responsibility nor joy in higher education than helping students become more than they thought possible. As a first-generation student from a small rural community, who worked his way through school, Dr. Wren experienced many of the same challenges that UT Southern students do. This background shaped his approach to and passion for student success, which he describes as driven by encouraging student engagement and connectedness, ensuring mental and physical wellbeing, and fostering inclusivity and belonging.
Dr. Wren holds bachelor’sand master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Alabama Birmingham and a Ph.D. in business administration (marketing and strategic management) from the University of Memphis. Outside of campus, Dr. Wren describes himself as a recovering adventure junkie. He believes life is best spent outdoors and is an avid hiker, mountain biker, kayaker and fisher.
Rumira Xhaferaj
Chief Business Officer and Budget Director
UT Institute for Public Service
Rumira Xhaferaj was born and raised in Albania and started her professional career in the capital city of Tirana, working for international organizations the World Health Organization during the Kosovo crisis, the Swedish International Development-Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the World English Institute.
In 2009, she emigrated to the U.S. with her husband, Artan, and their two children. They moved to Maryville, where they had visited several times and had fallen in love with the Smoky Mountains and southern hospitality!
Xhaferaj joined the University of Tennessee in 2011 and worked for the Institute of Agriculture for 10 years, mainly in sponsored projects. In 2021, she joined the Institute for Public Service as the chief business officer and budget director.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Tirana, Albania, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, doing mission work, reading and watching old movies.
Betsy Adams
Assistant Dean of Operations and Strategy
Haslam College of Business,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Betsy Adams is the assistant dean of operations and strategy for the Haslam College of Business, providing strategies for resource planning and allocation across all academic programs, departments, centers and executive education operations. In her position, she has direct responsibility for the Financial Information Office, Technology Integration Services and facilities staff.
Prior to her current position, Adams was assistant provost of systems and resources for UT Knoxville, leading campus-wide conversations about enrollment management and working with administrators and academics to build systems that support degree management. She has been with UT since 2007, when she left St. Clair County Community College in Michigan to become a director of academic resources.
Adams earned her MBA from the Haslam College of Business in 2010 and has more than 20 years of experience in financial management for institutions of higher education.
Lamar Bryant
Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives
Division of Diversity and Engagement,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. Lamar Bryant is a true scholar practitioner at heart, who currently serves as the associate vice chancellor for strategic initiatives in the division of diversity and engagement at UTK. In this role, Bryant works alongside a dedicated team who strives to make Rocky Top feel like Home Sweet Home to everyone in the campus community. With more than 13 years of professional experience in higher education, Bryant knows the direct correlation from mattering and belonging to stellar student, staff and faculty retention rates.
Bryant has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work in higher education and, due to his robust experiences in the field, was asked to serve on a higher education professional association’s taskforce to assist in developing a professional certificate program. In addition to his extensive higher education experience, Bryant is a public speaker and leadership curriculum facilitator.
Bryant holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in marketing and a Master of Science in College Student Personnel from Northwestern State University. He also earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education with a sociology cognate from the University of North Texas.
Brad Collett
Director, Tennessee RiverLine
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Brad Collett serves as the director of the Tennessee RiverLine initiative within the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. He is also a professor in the UT Institute of Agriculture Department Plant Sciences and a faculty member of the UT Knoxville School of Landscape Architecture.
Under his leadership as director of the Tennessee RiverLine, a team of professionals and a consortium of diverse partners across four states collaborate with UT Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to realize the shared vision for North America’s next great regional trail system, as well as the economic development, public health, resource stewardship and equitable access benefits it promises future generations. Through this work, he puts his passion for landscape stewardship, his belief in the modern land grant mission and his commitment to the power of partnerships into practice.
Collett’s teaching, research and creative interests center on regional water resource stewardship through landscape planning, design and performance. He was a 2016 U.S. Fulbright Teaching Scholar in Slovenia, and is a licensed landscape architect.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UT Knoxville where he received the highest student honor, the Torchbearer Award, and a master’s in landscape architecture from The Ohio State University.
Dominique Crockett
Director of Equity and Diversity, Title IX Coordinator
Office of Equity and Diversity,
University of Tennessee at Martin
Dominique Crockett serves as director of equity and diversity and Title IX coordinator at UT Martin. In her position, Crockett oversees university compliance with Title IX, Title VI, VETS 100, American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and affirmative action. Additionally, she provides leadership and oversight of faculty and executive administrative hiring and serves as the ADA coordinator and Title VI coordinator for the university.
Crockett joined UT Martin in February 2022. Previously, she worked at the UT Health Science Center as the assurance officer in the Office of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity. Crockett began her career in policy and compliance through her work in governmental health administration as a project developer and Medicaid analyst supervisor for the Louisiana Department of Health. She has also worked in the nonprofit sector serving underrepresented populations.
Crockett holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Southern University A&M University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a Master of Health Administration from Louisiana State University. Crockett is looking forward to learning more about the systemic challenges facing Tennessee higher education and strategies to improve her leadership skills and better serve the University.
Beth Foster
Director of the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations
School of Advertising and Public Relations,
College of Communication and Information,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Elizabeth Avery Foster, “Beth,” is a professor and director of the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In her second year as director of the Tombras School, Foster led the school through a naming opportunity with the Tombras Agency, including developing a strategic vision to leverage the vast potential of the industry-academic leader partnership and creating the first named school at UT Knoxville. As director, she has also overseen the implementation of a new minor and a new 4+1 graduate degree program.
Foster is internationally recognized for her research on public health crisis and campaigns, and she recently received a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop interventions for the opioid epidemic in rural Appalachia. Prior to joining the faculty at UT Knoxville, Foster completed a post-doctoral assistantship on a $3.5 million Centers for Disease Control and Prevent grant, served as campaign manager for a mayoral candidate and was an environmental education coordinator. After serving and loving UT for 16 years, Foster is thrilled for the opportunity to further hone her leadership skills through this institute to better serve the University of Tennessee.
Foster and her husband, Malcolm, share a passion for public health promotion. Her two sons ensure there is never a dull moment after work by participating in most every sport.
Tom Gill
Smith Chair in International Sustainable Agriculture
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. Thomas (Tom) Gill is an international, interdisciplinary development professional who has worked in agriculture and rural development for the past 20 years. Gill currently serves as the Smith Chair in International Sustainable Agriculture and director of the Smith Center at the UT Institute of Agriculture. In this role, he leads strategic vision for global engagement in the agriculturally-related sciences across UT Knoxville. Gill also serves as an associate professor in the department of agricultural leadership, education and communications.
Gill has served as president (2019-2020) of the Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD) and as chair (2015-16) of the International Agriculture Section for the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU). His experience and research interests include the United Nations sustainable development goal agenda, smallholder household decision-making in sustainable agroecosystems, and participatory approaches to capacity development, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
Gill holds a Bachelor of Art and Master of Art in geography from the University of Cambridge, U.K., an Master of Science in tropical agricultural development from the University of Reading, U.K., and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary ecology from the University of Florida.
Ashley Harkrider
Chair, Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Ashley Whicker Harkrider is professor and chair of the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology and director of the Human Auditory Physiology Laboratory at the UT Health Science Center in Knoxville. She has been with UT for 22 years. Her research focuses on physiological correlates of speech perception and production in typical and disordered populations. Her collaborative work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, received editorial awards and is published in numerous national and international high-impact scientific journals.
Harkrider has held several national leadership positions including, most recently, treasurer of the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also was honored with the UT Alumni Association Distinguished Service Professor and Chair in 2016. She is married with three children and enjoys hiking, running, reading and traveling.
Paul Jennings
Executive Director
University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services
Dr. Paul Jennings has served as executive director for the UT Institute for Public Service’s Center for Industrial Services (CIS) since 2009. CIS provides consulting and training services in manufacturing excellence, economic and workforce development and health and safety. CIS’ mission is to “help customers achieve their goals.”
Jennings’ previous experience includes serving as vice-president for planning and development with Columbia State Community College, director of the Tennessee Energy Institute with the University of Memphis and program manager with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Jennings holds a bachelor’s from University of Evansville, Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University and Ph.D. from Tennessee State University. He and his wife, Alice, live in Brentwood and have three grown children and eight grandchildren.
Andy Lewter
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
University of Tennessee at Martin
Dr. Andy Lewter currently serves as vice chancellor for student affairs at UT Martin where he leads the Division of Student Affairs, which facilitates student success, promotes student well-being, guides student development and provides high-quality student experiences.
During his 28-year career in student affairs, he previously served as the dean of students at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, and associate dean of students at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. He has significant experience in student conduct, behavioral intervention, Greek life, campus recreation and career services.
He holds a doctorate in educational administration and policy studies from UT Knoxville, a Master of Education in college student personnel from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from UT Martin.
Lewter teaches history of higher education and higher education law in the Master of Education program at UT Martin.
He lives in Martin, Tennessee, with his wife, Megan, and sons, Andrew and Mitchell. They are active in the Methodist church, Boy Scouts and multiple community service projects.
Wendy Likes
Dean, College of Nursing
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Wendy Likes is professor and dean of the College of Nursing at the UT Health Science Center. Likes is a three-time alumna of UTHSC receiving a Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Science, and Ph.D. at UTHSC. She joined the College of Nursing in 2005 as an assistant professor and has served as department chair, associate dean and interim dean before her appointment as dean in 2014. Likes is a family nurse practitioner, working primarily with women with cancer and pre-invasive gynecologic conditions. She is the founder of The Center for HPV and Dysplasia at Regional One Health, where she previously had an active clinical practice. Likes is a Fellow in the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She has received multiple awards and honors, including being nominated as a Health Care Hero in the Memphis Business Journal in 2012 and 2021 for both her clinical and administrative work.
Cassie Mathes
Vice Chancellor of Communications and Marketing
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Cassie Mathes is the vice chancellor for communications and marketing at UT Chattanooga. With 16 years in higher education, her career has developed through her various roles at regional comprehensive universities in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and now, Tennessee. Mathes has worked with diverse teams at each institution to enhance their communications, marketing, branding, recruitment and engagement efforts, which has resulted in successes including increased student enrollment, improved relationships with alumni and benefactors, and the development of institutional brand identity and positive university reputation.
Prior to her career in higher education, Mathes worked for eight years in print and broadcast journalism, and won numerous awards by the Associated Press and the Missouri Press Association for excellence in news writing. After earning a master’s degree in communication in 2002 from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, she also began teaching various university communication and freshman experience courses. She has taught as an adjunct faculty member at three universities and has served as a board member for the American Red Cross and Iowa Public Radio.
Joining this year’s ELI group is an honor for her. She is excited to be part of the UT System and grateful for the opportunity to further develop her leadership skills in order to benefit the institution and its students.
Matt Matthews
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Academic Policy
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Dr. Matt Matthews serves as vice provost for faculty affairs and academic policy at UT Chattanooga. From this role he manages and advises on academic policy for the university, colleges and departments, as well as guiding the processes of recruitment, appointment, retention, promotion and tenure for the faculty body.
Trusted as a prolific and successful collaborator across UTC, Matthews has lead key institutional efforts such as the new campus master plan, the university’s COVID-19 response and the information technology advisory committee—often with partners from other divisions.
Prior to assuming his current role in 2018, Matthews served two years as an associate dean for the UTC College of Arts and Sciences and more than two years as interim head of the Department of Mathematics. By training he is an applied mathematician conducting computation and analysis for systems of differential equations arising from problems in engineering and physics.
Raised in the rural town of Hertford, North Carolina, and earning his degrees in mathematics from North Carolina State University, Matthews worked as a postdoctoral fellow in mathematics at Duke University ahead of joining UTC in 2004 as an assistant professor.
Mike McCay
Assistant Vice President and Executive Director, UT Alumni Association
University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.
Michael McCay serves as the assistant vice president of alumni affairs and executive director of the UT Alumni Association. The UT Alumni Association serves more than 433,000 graduates by providing lifelong learning, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy, alumni career services, travel programs and benefits and discounts.
McCay has 20 years of experience in higher education. He began his career at the UT Knoxville as an IT specialist with career services. From 2006-2015, he worked in development and alumni affairs roles for the university, serving as assistant director of stewardship and donor recognition for UT Knoxville, director of stewardship and donor recognition for UT Knoxville, and senior director of the UT Alumni Association for the UT System.
In addition to his UT service, McCay served as the director of employer relations at the University of South Florida (2015-2019) and the director of the University Career Center at Auburn University (2019-2021). He received his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his master’s degree from UT, Knoxville.
Abeer Mustafa
Associate Vice Chancellor
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Dr. Abeer Mustafa grew up in Houston, Texas. Mustafa launched her career in higher education at Rice University, where her construction experience led her to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) new construction housing communities. It was in this capacity that Abeer was recruited to the University of Houston, to help with expanding the residential program. Abeer has also worked at Winston-Salem State University (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), North Carolina State University and the University of California, Chico (Hispanic-Serving Institutions). She is currently working at UT Chattanooga as the associate vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs.
Mustafa’s primary focus is to advocate and mentor students and staff. She engages with students to recognize and understand their needs to enhance their experiences, support and assess co-curricular learning, and provide a sense of community while fostering student learning and personal development. She has spent most of her career advocating for students and operationalizing policies, services and programs to support students. She is passionate about leading organizational change and developing strategies anchored on student and staff well-being.
Mustafa is married to Shamael Mustafa, and they have twin boys, Imaad and Adeem Mustafa.
Austin Oakes
Assistant Vice President for Capital Projects
University of Tennessee System
Austin Oakes serves as the assistant vice president of capital projects for the UT System. In this role, Oakes leads a team of talented professionals overseeing UT’s capital budget process, real property management, space administration and the management of all major design, construction and renovation projects across the UT System. Oakes firmly believes that the spaces we create for our students foster the incredible educational experiences that our students have while at UT.
In addition, Oakes works closely with many Tennessee state agencies—including the State Building Commission, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, State of Tennessee Real Estate Asset Management and the Tennessee State School Bond Authority—to ensure UT capital projects are properly coordinated, funded and approved.
Prior to his work at UT, Oakes served as the assistant vice president for facilities management at the University of the South and the executive director for planning, operations and construction at Pepperdine University.
Oakes holds a Bachelor of Art in economics, an MBA and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University. He and his wife have three children. In his free time Oakes enjoys carpentry, photography and hiking in the mountains with his family.
Sean Patterson
Assistant Chief of Police, UT Police Department
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Assistant Chief Sean Patterson joined the UT Knoxville Police Department in April of 2020. He started his career in law enforcement in 1998 with the New York City Police Department. He was assigned to three different patrol precincts in Brooklyn, New York, in the ranks of police officer, sergeant and lieutenant. He was assigned to the NYPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU) for 12 years as a sergeant in Squad 5 and lieutenant as the Midnight Platoon Commander. His last assignment was as the training coordinator for ESU and as the safety officer for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He was also assigned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, New York Task Force 1 as a task force leader.
Patterson holds a bachelor’s degree in community and human relations from the State University of New York, and a master’s degree in public administration from Marist College. He is a graduate of the 260th Session of the FBI National Academy as well as the 63rd Session of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police. Patterson is a retired United States Navy chief petty officer with 22 years of service and currently resides in Friendsville, Tennessee, with his wife and two children.
Brandie Paul
Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics
University of Tennessee Southern
Brandie Paul has been with UT Southern since 2001, first as head softball coach before transitioning to vice chancellor of athletics and athletic director. Paul was charged with leading the transition from Martin Methodist College to UT Southern within her first year as athletic director, serving as the final athletic director for Martin Methodist College and the first for UT Southern. She is the only female to serve in the role in the institution’s 151 years.
Under her leadership, UT Southern has won three national championships, and has twice been named a NAIA Champions of Character Gold Star Institution. Additionally, the athletic department grade point average was at its highest following the 2021-22 school year, with a 3.04.
Since her 2001 arrival as softball coach, she accumulated 700-plus career victories with 14 consecutive postseason appearances and 13 straight seasons with a record above .500. She is the winningest coach in UT Southern history among all sports and is one of the top ten winningest coaches in NAIA softball history.
She has a storied background in coaching, leading three teams to the NAIA national tournament and guiding the program to multiple national-ranked seasons. Most importantly to Paul, her softball teams have regularly held one of the top two athletic team grade point averages each year. Under her direction, the program has had multiple NAIA All-Americans, Academic All-Americans, and numerous conference honors. Alongside coaching, she has spent numerous seasons as an NAIA national ranker, NAIA national tournament committee member and conference softball chair. In addition to her duties with the softball program, Paul spent seven seasons as an associate athletic director.
Paul graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1995 with a Bachelor of Art in accounting and earned a master’s degree in sports science with a specialization in coaching from the United States Sports Academy. She is married and has a son, Gryffin.
John Schmisseur
Executive Director, University of Tennessee Space Institute
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. John D. Schmisseur became the executive director of the UT Space Institute in August 2022. Prior to his appointment, he served as the H.H. Arnold chair and B.H. Goethert professor in the UT Knoxville Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering since 2014, during which time he taught and led research at the UT Space Institute.
Prior to joining the faculty, Schmisseur was the chief of the Energy, Power and Propulsion Sciences Division and program manager for aerothermodynamics within the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). During his tenure at AFOSR, Schmisseur initiated and led a national strategic research plan which has guided the research efforts of multiple federal agencies and championed the transition of basic research capabilities that have advanced flagship national hypersonics technology programs and transformed test and evaluation capabilities. Schmisseur earned his Bachelor of Science in 1990 and Master of Science in 1992 in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and his Ph.D. in 1997 in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University. He is a 2012 Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the 2013 Fellow of the Air Force Research Laboratory and is the 2008 recipient of the Air Force Science and Engineering Award in Research Management.
Charlie Snyder
Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Success
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Charles Snyder is the associate vice chancellor for student success and chief student affairs officer at the UT Health Science Center. In this role, Snyder provides executive leadership for and oversees several administrative units that provide centralized campus support services and activities for students. Snyder also serves as associate professor and chair of the Department of Interprofessional Education in the UTHSC College of Graduate Health Sciences.
During his tenure at UTHSC, Snyder successfully led the creation of the UTHSC Quality Enhancement Plan titled “Community Engaged Care,” developed as part of the UTHSC Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reaffirmation of accreditation. “Community Engaged Care” is designed to enhance student learning about the social determinants of health. Snyder also spearheaded the creation of the UTHSC Campus Cupboard, an on-campus food pantry serving students, staff, faculty and community partners. The Campus Cupboard currently feeds more than 400 people per month.
As an applied medical anthropologist, Snyder’s work has primarily focused on drug addiction interventions in environments where drug use is deeply embedded in the cultural framework, and community response to crises with particular emphasis on natural disasters and military conflict. Snyder has conducted fieldwork in East Africa, Haiti, the South Pacific and with Native people in the United States.
Snyder is a first-generation college student who is deeply committed to supporting future generations of learners inside and outside of higher education. In his free time, he is committed to youth leadership development, leading multiple scout units, and providing support and planning for resident camps and away activities for Mid-South youth.
Anderson Starling
Interim Chair, Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science
University of Tennessee at Martin
Dr. Charles Snyder is the associate vice chancellor for student success and chief student affairs officer at the UT Health Science Center. In this role, Snyder provides executive leadership for and oversees several administrative units that provide centralized campus support services and activities for students. Snyder also serves as associate professor and chair of the Department of Interprofessional Education in the UTHSC College of Graduate Health Sciences.
During his tenure at UTHSC, Snyder successfully led the creation of the UTHSC Quality Enhancement Plan titled “Community Engaged Care,” developed as part of the UTHSC Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reaffirmation of accreditation. “Community Engaged Care” is designed to enhance student learning about the social determinants of health. Snyder also spearheaded the creation of the UTHSC Campus Cupboard, an on-campus food pantry serving students, staff, faculty and community partners. The Campus Cupboard currently feeds more than 400 people per month.
As an applied medical anthropologist, Snyder’s work has primarily focused on drug addiction interventions in environments where drug use is deeply embedded in the cultural framework, and community response to crises with particular emphasis on natural disasters and military conflict. Snyder has conducted fieldwork in East Africa, Haiti, the South Pacific and with Native people in the United States.
Snyder is a first-generation college student who is deeply committed to supporting future generations of learners inside and outside of higher education. In his free time, he is committed to youth leadership development, leading multiple scout units, and providing support and planning for resident camps and away activities for Mid-South youth.
Lance Taylor
Executive Director of Advancement Operations
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Lance Taylor has spent his 13-year career at UT Knoxville. Currently, he serves as the executive director of advancement operations where he manages the operations and administration of the UT Knoxville advancement division. He provides strategic leadership and support to the vice chancellor for advancement in the areas of talent management, fiscal oversight and division operations.
Taylor began his career at UT in the Haslam College of Business as an annual giving coordinator in 2009 before transitioning to director of annual giving and student philanthropy in 2012. He served in that role until 2016 when he began working in advancement operations. He takes pride in working hard each day to invest in the people of the advancement division to keep an engaged and productive team motivated to do great work for the university. The division boasts 60% of its staff having served the university five or more years with another 31% having served more than 10 years.
Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and logistics, as well as a master’s degree in human resources management, both from UT Knoxville. During his undergraduate senior year, he was named a Torchbearer recipient—the highest student honor conferred by UT Knoxville. Taylor is married to his wife, Anne, and has two kids, Bradley and Emilia.
Jeannie Tennant
Assistant Director and Senior Business Partner, Human Resources
University of Tennessee System
Jeannie Tennant is the assistant director and senior business partner in Employee and Organizational Development Division of the UT System Office of Human Resources, where she provides leadership development, coaching and strategic visioning for campus partners. Tennant joined the UT System in 2021, bringing 15 years of experience to her current role.
As a first-generation college student and Tennessee native, Tennant understands the power and importance of education. Therefore, she is committed to utilizing her skills as an educator and coach to provide differentiated, rigorous and inclusive learning opportunities that advance leadership development across the UT System. Jeannie prioritizes connecting with leaders, coaching with compassion and consulting with clarity as a holistic approach to growth and development.
Tennant has a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University in multidisciplinary studies with a concentration in human learning and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in leadership and management.
Nick Verne
Senior Associate Dean
University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Department of Medicine & University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Nick Verne is professor and senior associate dean of statewide operations at the UT Health Science Center. He also serves as the chair of the Department of Medicine and is chief of medicine at Regional One Health. Prior to joining UTHSC in 2019, Verne served as the chief medical officer for the Tulane University Health System in New Orleans, Louisiana. Verne is a practicing gastroenterologist with a National Institute of Health and Veterans Affairs-funded research laboratory for more than 20 years. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American Gastroenterology Association and the Association of Professors of Medicine.
Verne’s current charge as senior associate dean of statewide operations is to facilitate the expansion of the College of Medicine relationships and affiliations with statewide healthcare facilities, graduate and undergraduate academic programs. Verne’s participation in the Executive Leadership Institute constitutes an ideal opportunity for him to gain exposure and broaden a statewide portfolio of considerable breath and latitude across UT’s regional campuses that will enhance UTHSC’s development and cultivation of statewide affiliations for clinical operations, education, research and combined programs.
Jon Walden
Executive Director, County Technical Assistance Service
University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service
A Nashville native, Jon Walden, executive director, has been with UT’s County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), an agency of the Institute for Public Service since 1993 as the administrator of information technology. He was named executive director in December 2021 after serving as interim executive director. Prior to serving as interim executive director, Walden served as manager of information technology and environmental services from October 2002 until May 2020. Before joining CTAS, he was a programmer analyst with Columbia State Community College. Walden holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Tennessee State University and a Master of Arts in leadership and public service from Lipscomb University.
Walden is excited about the opportunity to be a member of the 2023 class of the UT Executive Leadership Institute. He believes participating in the institute will give him additional knowledge and skills to become a more productive public servant as well as network and learn from others within the UT System to make this a better place to work.
Evan Beech
Director of Specialized Giving
Haslam College of Business,
UT Foundation, Inc.
Evan Beech is the Director of Specialized Giving for the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and is currently serving on an administrative appointment as the liaison for the UT Foundation for the University of Tennessee, Southern. In his role at the Institute, Evan helps constituents reach their philanthropic goals through a variety of giving avenues. At UT Southern, he is a resource to connect advancement operations on campus with the UT Foundation. He also assists in the development of strategic initiatives for the newest member of the UT family.
Evan has been employed with UT since receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Since that time, he has also received his master’s degree from the Herbert College of Agriculture.
Beech is a member of the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Alumni Corporation. He is also a member of Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture; and is on the Board of Directors of the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association.
Doug Bohner
Human Resource Officer
UT Institute of Agriculture
Doug Bohner serves as the Human Resources Officer for the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, a role he has held since joining UT in 2018. Bringing twenty years of HR experience in Fortune 100 companies including The Walt Disney Company and Express Scripts, Doug provides strategic guidance to the Institute’s leadership team while collaborating system-wide to drive broad scope HR initiatives. Leading UTIA’s HR function, Doug and his team provide full-service HR solutions both on campus and in Extension offices and AgResearch Centers in all 95 counties across the state.
Doug holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from West Chester University and a Master of Human Resources from Rollins College. He is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). In addition to experience as an HR Generalist, Doug has functional expertise in Organization Development, HR Compliance Investigations and Employee Relations.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Doug enjoys woodworking, home improvement and collecting as many tools as possible. He met his wife Laura while both were working at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and, along with their three children, returned to Laura’s hometown of Knoxville just a few years ago.
Nancy Buschhaus
Interim Chair, Department of Biological Sciences
UT Martin
Dr. Nancy Buschhaus is Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She has been with UT Martin for 25 years pursing her passion of enabling undergraduates to succeed in their academic pathways in biology both in the classroom and as a part of the experiential learning endeavors offered by engagement in undergraduate research. Prior to being appointed as Interim Chair in 2020, Nancy has been Undergraduate Council Chair of UT Martin’s Faculty Senate, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Chair, and was involved in committee work such as that associated with strategic enrollment initiatives and faculty evaluation.
Nancy is a first-generation college student who strongly feels that higher education enlightens, inspires, and empowers future generations of students to improve the lives of, and provide parity to, people of all backgrounds and all ethnicities. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Zoology from Miami University of Ohio and her doctorate at The Ohio State University.
While Nancy’s students like to call her Batwoman due to her love of educating everyone about the wonder of her furry flying research subjects, she denies any knowledge of capes, batarangs or secret caves.
Brian Daniels
Chief Audit & Compliance Officer
UT System Administration
Brian began serving as the Chief Audit and Compliance Officer at The University of Tennessee System in 2019. Previously, he served 15 years in higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia, primarily at the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech where he last served as the Director of Internal Audit. With an early career focus on IT Audit, his undergraduate degree was from Virginia Tech, and he received an MBA from James Madison University.
Under Brian’s leadership, Audit and Compliance, with more than 20 professionals, is a systemwide resource for the University of Tennessee, reporting directly to the Audit and Compliance Committee of the UT Board of Trustees. Offices are located on the Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga and Martin campuses. The audit team prioritizes audit projects focused on high-risk topical areas, as well as efficiency, compliance, information technology and fraud investigations. The compliance function includes the institutional compliance program as well as system-wide coordination and oversight for Title IX and the Clery Act. Institutional Compliance monitors more than 350 regulations.
Ellie Dougherty
Director of Marketing
UT System Administration
As the director of marketing for the University of Tennessee System, Ellie Dougherty’s favorite part of her job is being part of a team that takes an idea, makes it better and brings it to life. Her focus since joining the University in 2007 has been telling UT’s story of statewide impact in strategic and creative ways that inform, engage and call to action Tennesseans and audiences across the country. In her role as director of marketing, she is responsible for coordinating marketing and branding activities for the UT System, including development and execution of the “Everywhere You Look, UT” marketing campaign that includes painting 95 murals across Tennessee. Additional areas of responsibility include public opinion research, advertising and special event support. She also oversees team members responsible for web development and graphic design. Prior to joining UT, she held positions in marketing at Baptist Health System and Aramark.
Ellie earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from UT Knoxville. She is a lecturer in the UT Knoxville College of Communications and is committed to preparing her students to succeed in the workplace. She was recognized by Knoxbiz.com as a member of the 40 Under 40 Class of 2020 and has received numerous professional awards, including the Volunteer Chapter PRSA Award of Excellence in Mentorship in 2016. She is a graduate of the UT Leadership Institute and serves as a UT Promise mentor. As a breast cancer survivor, Ellie is passionate about healthcare advocacy and served as a 2020 BigWig Fundraising Champion for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Vicki Farnsworth
Chief Information Officer
UT Chattanooga
Vicki is the Vice Chancellor of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. She arrived in Tennessee in January of 2019. She comes to UTC from Purdue University in Indiana, where she had a 25-year career in a variety of campus roles. Notably, she spent 5 years as the Managing Director for an NSF-funded Nanotechnology research grant that provided modeling and simulation capability to students, researchers, and instructors via nanohub.org.
Her final role at Purdue was the executive director of enterprise solutions, where she led a team and was responsible for setting the technology direction for students, faculty and administrative areas of Purdue through a broad application portfolio.
Beyond being a longtime employee, she also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and a Master of Science degree in Information Technology Leadership from Purdue.
Vicki is excited to be a part of the class of 2021 Executive Leadership Institute. She knows that the networking opportunities will help her be more impactful in her current role and beyond.
Edie Gibson
Senior Advisor to the Chancellor
UT Martin
Edie Gibson serves as Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, a role that she has held under the past six UT Martin Chancellors. In addition to her duties in support of the Chancellor, she serves as Secretary to the UT Martin Advisory Board, Institutional Compliance chair for the campus, and in an oversight role with a campus-wide team for Clery Act reporting. During a 32-year career at Martin, she has held leadership roles with Institutional Research and Athletics as Senior Woman Administrators, among other special university-wide projects.
After graduating from Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations/Journalism, she began her higher education journey working in University Relations at Auburn University and Walters State Community College and in Financial Aid at Carson Newman College. She is married to Michael, a UT Martin Professor of Geology, and they have a daughter, Kesley, (UTM ’12), with her doctorate in marine biology and a son, Brandt, (UTM ’15), with his doctorate in Earth and Environmental Sciences. In her spare time, Edie enjoys visiting her grand pups (along with their children and spouses), reading British mysteries, and walking beaches.
Teresa Hartnett
Associate Dean for Finance & Administration, College of Medicine
UT Health Science Center
As the Associate Dean of Finance & Administration in the College of Medicine, Teresa Hartnett serves at the chief financial and administrative officer for the College, overseeing a state-funded budget of more than $72 million. She provides leadership in college-wide budgeting, staffing and resource utilization analyses, with a focus on identifying the most efficient and effective use of fiscal and human resources. Before joining UTHSC, Teresa served in several administrative leadership roles at the University of Memphis, where she led the institutional administrative process improvement initiative and directed the implementation of an institutional pilot Shared Services Center, both designed to capture efficiency and effectiveness gains and drive sustainable change. Prior to that time, she worked for the World Bank for five years, researching educational issues in Sub Saharan Africa.
She earned her doctorate in higher education from the University of Memphis; a Master’s in Public Finance from New York University; and a bachelor’s degree in International Economics from George Washington University.
Teresa is currently active nationally in the AAMC’s Group on Business Affairs, and previously served various leadership roles with the Network for Change and Continuous Innovation (NCCI), including a two-year term as President.
Adam Heller
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
UT Foundation, Inc.
Adam Heller serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the UT Foundation where he directs the strategy and oversight of all financial and talent management activities for an organization with over $500 million in assets. Originally from West Virginia, Adam came to the UT Foundation after serving as the Director of Finance for the WVU Foundation in Morgantown. He has over a decade of experience in higher education strategic financial management and in his current role directs the Foundation’s business office operations, asset & treasury management, budget administration and HR practices. Since arriving in Tennessee, Adam implemented a new investment strategy for the Foundation, which doubled the long-term earnings expectations and lead the installation of an enhanced strategic total rewards compensation philosophy.
Heller earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business management and industrial relations from West Virginia University. Adam is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
By joining the Leadership Institute, Adam is eager to build a strong network with other effective leaders and grow his leadership capabilities to meet the needs of UT.
Pam Jeffreys
Risk Management Director
UT System Administration
Pamela Jeffreys has been the Director of Risk Management for the University of Tennessee System since 2016. In her role, she oversees commercial insurance, claims, and other risk management services.
Pam received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She holds the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate of Risk Management (ARM), Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Associate of Insurance (AINS) designations.
Pam is a member of URMIA and held a position on their Board of Directors, the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research, The Institutes Risk and Insurance Knowledge Group and the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) Society and serves on the Great Smoky Mountains CPCU Board. She serves on several committees at the University of Tennessee, including the Safety Committee, Institutional Compliance Committee, Student Health Advisory Committee, and the Emergency Operations Center Committee.
By participating in the ELI program, Pam endeavors to broaden her scope and understanding of other areas of higher education, prepare her for additional roles and responsibilities within the UT System and fine tune her leadership skills. She is looking forward to collaborating with diverse, like-minded individuals across the University system and engage with renowned mentors.
She is married and has two children and one grandson.
Mark La Branche
Chancellor
UT Southern
Dr. Mark La Branche began his duties as the president of Martin Methodist College (MMC) on July 1, 2017. Before coming to MMC, La Branche served as President of Louisburg College in Louisburg, NC for 8 ½ years and Senior Vice President at Huntingdon College for 7 years. Mark entered into Higher Education as a Director of Church Relations, after 10 years in the health field most recently in the role of Respiratory Therapist, and 18 years of parish ministry as an elder in the Alabama West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Mark completed his undergraduate education at Pensacola Junior College and the University of South Alabama. He holds graduate degrees from Emory University Candler School of Theology and Boston University School of Theology.
Mark serves on the University Senate of the United Methodist Church and on has served on several boards including the board of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and ZOE Empowers – a ministry in Africa and India that provides a pathway for orphans from abject poverty and dependence to a sustainable and interdependent life. He is also a member of the Pulaski Rotary Club.
On July 1, 2021, Dr. La Branche began his service as the first Chancellor of the University of Tennessee Southern. He also serves on the University of Tennessee Foundation Board of Trustees.
Mark is married to Mona, and they have two children and three grandchildren.
Mónica Lebrón
Deputy Athletics Director for Championship Resources
UT Knoxville
Dr. Mónica Lebrón joined Tennessee’s executive leadership team in February 2021 as Deputy AD for Championship Resources.
Prior to her hiring at Tennessee, Lebrón oversaw all internal and external day-to-day operations for Tulane athletics as deputy AD/chief operating officer dating to 2016. She also served as chief diversity officer for the Green Wave.
A native of San Jose, California, Lebrón was Tulane’s sport administrator for football, women’s basketball, beach volleyball and sailing. She also directed revenue-generation efforts for Tulane’s comprehensive athletics program.
Lebrón’s time at Tulane was preceded by four years of senior-level experience in the Southeastern Conference. She worked as an assistant AD for development at Ole Miss in 2012 before being elevated to associate AD in 2014. She then transitioned to Georgia, where she served as associate AD for development. Under her direction, the UGA athletics development team raised a then-record $56.96 million for the 2016 fiscal year.
In addition to her time at Georgia and Ole Miss, Lebrón served n major gift fundraising at Cal, where she fostered a portfolio of more than 500 donors. She also worked in various capacities at Florida with Gator Boosters, Inc. working closely with UF’s athletics alumni base.
A 2001 Yale graduate, Lebrón was a four-year letterwinner and starter on the Bulldogs’ softball team. She then earned her master of Sports Administration and MBA from Ohio University in 2003.
Most recently, in the spring of 2019, she earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tulane.
Stacy Lightfoot
Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Engagement
UT Chattanooga
Stacy Lightfoot joined the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga this year as the institution’s first Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement. In this role, she serves as a catalyst to foster a more inclusive campus community and provides strategic leadership for diversity and inclusion initiatives. Prior to UTC, Stacy was the Executive Vice President at PEF where she worked for twelve years facilitating partnerships with regional and national constituencies to achieve parity in student educational outcomes.
In 2015, Stacy testified before the US Senate regarding what families need to know to make informed decisions about college. In 2017, she was invited back to D.C. to speak to congressional staff about simplifying the federal financial aid form. She has received numerous awards throughout her 22-year career in college access and success, including the 2016 National Excellence in Education Award. Previous recipients include former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Ben Carson.
Stacy participated in Leadership Tennessee in 2019 and Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders Program in 2017. She earned a BA degree in Communications from DePauw University and MA degree in International Service from the University of Roehampton in London, England.
Paul Luepke
Chair, Department of Periodontology
College of Dentistry,
UT Health Science Center
Dr. Paul Luepke is currently an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry. He was also the chair of the infection control committee which became vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, the re-opening of the dental school, and continued safe operations.
Dr. Luepke’s academic career began after serving 21 years in the United States Navy at seven different duty stations. He retired as the director of Naval Station Great Lakes USS Osborne recruit dental facility in 2008. There he led 105 dentists and 250 support staff in delivering care to 40,000 recruits annually. Prior to that, he was in Iraq with the First Marine Division dental platoon officer in charge during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His academic career began at Marquette School of Dentistry. There he served as the Chair of Surgical Sciences, supporting the departments of endodontics, oral pathology, oral surgery, and periodontics. Dr. Luepke initiated and built a periodontics specialty program at the school with a $1.8 million dollar clinic build-out and successful accreditation.
Dr. Luepke is currently a Director of the American Board of Periodontology. This specialty board examines and certifies with diplomate (board status) the highest achievers in the profession. He is also a member of the review committee of the Commission of Dental Accreditation for the periodontal specialties. Dr. Luepke lectures on periodontal and dental implant dentistry at the national and international level. His research interest is Peri-Implant Disease.
Mark McCloud
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
UT Martin
Dr. Mark McCloud has over 26 years of experience which includes financial services, K-12 schools, mental health, non-profits, and higher education. Mark’s greatest strengths are his creativity, drive, and leadership. He thrives on challenges, particularly those that develop organizations and people to reach their greatest potential. Currently, McCloud serves as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he provides oversight to the Chancellor’s Cabinet and university community on issues concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Dr. McCloud holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Martin and earned a master’s degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Personnel Services as well as doctoral degree in Higher Education for the University of Mississippi.
McCloud, a nationally recognized educator, change agent, and motivational speaker has appeared in regional and national media outlets, most notably Forbes. He is the co-host of Two Sisters and The Doc Podcast, a podcast focusing on race, relationships, boundaries, and careers. Mark is also the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Southern Association for College and Employers, the Past-President of the Martin, TN Rotary Club, and the 2020 recipient of the Mosaic Award from SoACE for work in diversity and inclusion. His philanthropic interests include St. Jude, the Komen foundation and the Boy and Girls Club.
Mark and his wife Candice resident in Martin, TN. Their daughter Brayden is a freshman at the University of Mississippi. When not working he enjoys jazz, chess, and spending time with his family.
Holly Mercer
Senior Associate Dean
UT Knoxville
Holly Mercer joined the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2012 and currently is senior associate dean and professor in the UT Libraries. Her work history includes positions at Stanford, University of Kansas, and Texas A&M. Holly is globally recognized for her work in scholarly communication and publishing, digital repositories, and research information management. Holly believes libraries are central to learning and innovation, that research libraries can accomplish more through collaboration, and that openness and integrity in the research process are keys to future breakthroughs and discoveries. She received an award for Extraordinary Collaborations in Research Compliance and Safety at UT. For many years, Holly served on the Open Repositories steering committee and organized an annual international conference. She currently serves as chair of the Board of Governors for HathiTrust, a not-for-profit collaborative of academic and research libraries preserving 17+ million digitized items. Holly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Studies from Duke and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina.
Jorge Pérez
Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
UT System Administration
Dr. Jorge Pérez joined the UT System in 2018 after twenty years in Georgia, where he was vice provost for institutional effectiveness, SACSCOC accreditation liaison, and professor of information systems at Kennesaw State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English, an MBA, and a Ph.D. in information systems from Florida State University. Digital literacy is the focus of his current research.
The recipient of a prestigious American Council on Education (ACE) Fellowship, Jorge spent the 2013 academic year in Boston analyzing the strategic plans of constituents of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. He serves on the Board of Governors of the Informing Science Institute and the Advisory Board of the Atlanta Council on International Relations; he has served on the boards of the Latin American Association and the Atlanta Electronic Commerce Forum. Jorge has industry experience as a systems analyst, web developer, and consultant. He was inducted into the PhD Project Hall of Fame in 2019.
Jorge is an Ironman Lake Placid finisher who enjoys running, cycling, teaching spin classes, and hiking with his pit bull, Murphy.
Craig Pickett
Director for Diversity
UT Institute of Agriculture
Craig Pickett, Jr. serves as the inaugural Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Craig is extremely passionate about student success, higher education management, and DEI efforts, with extensive experience working on college campuses and non-profits across the nation. In his spare time, Craig is an active member of his community. He serves as Board Member for Girl Talk, Inc., a non-profit focusing on the academic, personal, and professional development for young girls throughout Knoxville. He also serves as an Advisory Council Member for the Knoxville Area Urban League, National Achievers Society, a scholastic organization empowering underrepresented high school scholars. Furthermore, he serves as a Mentor for Emerald Youth Foundation. Lastly, he serves as the Board Co-Chair for the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s Young Leaders Collective. Craig earned his bachelor’s in political science (Davidson College) in 2008 and a master’s in student affairs in higher education (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) in 2010. He is currently completing his PhD in higher education administration from the University of Tennessee Knoxville (2022).
Susan Robertson
Communications Manager
UT Institute for Public Service
Susan Robertson serves as communications manager with the Institute for Public Service, a role she’s held for 13 years. She oversees communication and marketing strategy for the institute’s six agencies, serves as writer and editor for all marketing materials and maintains IPS’s digital media channels.
She came to UT after spending more than 20 years in the communications field with various private sector companies. Before coming to UT, she served as a manager in corporate communications with Scripps Networks in Knoxville.
A native of Roanoke, Va., she graduated from East Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in communication (journalism) in 1987. She started her career as a reporter with The Mountain Press newspaper in Sevierville. During her seven years with the newspaper, she worked as a sportswriter, features writer and general assignment reporter. She’s also worked as an account executive with two Knoxville public relations agencies and as public relations director/assistant general manager with a minor league hockey team in the East Coast Hockey League.
She received her master’s degree in strategic leadership from ETSU in 2015.
Robby Shelton
Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration
UT Southern
Robby Shelton currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration at the University of Tennessee Southern located in Pulaski, TN (formerly Martin Methodist College). He serves as the chief financial officer and supervises all budget and fiscal matters, personnel and operations, as well as facilities, admissions, campus life, and auxiliary services. Robby graduated Martin in 1985 and furthered his education at Middle Tennessee State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and a minor in English and Political Science in 1988. He has spent over 33 years in various roles at Martin Methodist College. He began his career in recruiting and soon became VP for Campus Life and Enrollment Management. In 2016, he became Interim President while a presidential search was conducted. After the search was completed, Robby served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In 2017, he was awarded the Servant Leadership Alumni Award affirming his lifelong service to the college, his church, and his community. In 2019, Robby graduated from TICUA’s Executive Leadership Institute.
Robby is married to Julie Shelton (Martin 2000) and they have five children.
Timothy Sigler
Assistant Vice President for Government Relations & Advocacy
UT System Administration
A Nashville native, Tim Sigler is the Assistant Vice President for Government Relations & Advocacy for the UT System. For the past decade, he has served in varying roles in state government, particularly for the Tennessee State Senate. Most recently, he served as Senior Legislative Advisor to the Lt. Governor. In that role, he was appointed as a staff representative on the State Building Commission, a member of the Council of State Governments’ Shared State Legislation Committee, and a member of the Legislative Sick Leave Bank Advisory Committee. Before that, Tim held the positions of Executive Assistant for Policy and Research to the Lt. Governor and Research Analyst for the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.
In his current role, Tim acts as a liaison between the UT System and state government where he advocates for the priorities of the University. During his first year, he was a part of the team that secured funding for the creation of UT Southern, the first new campus in the UT System in over 50 years. He looks forward to building upon the distinguished legacy of the University of Tennessee in the years to come.
David Steele
Chief of Staff
UT Chattanooga
David Steele serves as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chancellor at UTC.
His prior positions have included service as vice president of policy and education at the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce; CMO at the Florida Department of Citrus; CMO/CCO for Polk State College; chief marketing, communications, and development officer at the University of South Florida’s polytechnic campus; and executive director of Purdue University’s Center for International Business Education and Research. He has also worked in economic and community development and the technology sector and taught undergraduate courses in political science, leadership communication, and design thinking.
Steele earned a bachelor’s degree (history) from Ashland University and master’s degree (political science) from the University of Notre Dame. He is currently completing a PhD (communication) at the University of South Florida.
Steele looks forward to developing a deeper understanding of the UT system and collaboration with valued colleagues across the state.
David White
Associate Dean for Research
UT Institute of Agriculture
Dr. David White serves as the Associate Dean for Research and Associate Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. He is also a Professor of Food Science and acted as interim Department head in 2019.
Prior to joining UTIA, he served in several leadership positions in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine including Chief Science Officer /Research Director and Acting Director of the Office of Resource Planning and Strategic Management.
Dr. White is an editor of the book “Frontiers in Antibiotic Resistance”, ASM Press, Washington D.C. and is on the editorial board of Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. He previously served as co-chair of the U.S. Interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance and as the U.S Delegate to the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance. Most recently he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA), the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) and the AOAC U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO/TC 34 Food Products.
Dr. White received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont, his master of science from the University of Kentucky and his Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University. He also was a post-doctoral fellow in the Center for Adaptation Genetics and Drug Resistance at Tufts University School of Medicine and before joining FDA, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences at North Dakota State University.
Dr. Keith Barber
Vice Chancellor, Institutional Advancement
UT Institute of Agriculture
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. Barber has served thirty years in the Institutional Advancement arena where he seeks to assist others through higher education initiatives. As a first-generation college student who understands and appreciates the valuable lessons learned in – and out of – the classroom, Keith attended college on scholarships, making his career choice personally applicable. These traits, along with his work in the land grant system, his service as an executive officer of a national association, and his doctoral research, provide him with the foundation needed to practice the Circle of Life concept, a belief that holistic engagement is key to the success of students, faculty/staff, alumni/friends, and the institution.
Barber recognizes that gracious investors, supportive teammates, and great institutions contribute significantly to the value and quality of success found through higher education experiences. Keith is married to Stephanie Russ-Barber, M.D., and they have four children: Bennett, Laney Gracyn, Brooks, and Elizabeth Kathryn. Dr. Barber came to the University of Tennessee System in July 2012 and serves as the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement for the UT Foundation, Inc. and the UT Institute of Agriculture.
Ms. Amy Belew
Chief Information Officer
University of Tennessee at Martin
Amy is the Chief Information Officer at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Amy first joined the UT Martin family in 2000 as a systems analyst. She then served as an IT Administrator until 2012 before moving into a role as Interim Assistant Chief Information Officer and Interim Director of systems administration and infrastructure, academic computing, security, video network, applications development and operations.
In 2016, Amy assumed the role of Interim Chief Information Officer which she held until May 2018 when she became the Chief Information Officer. Prior to joining UT Martin, Amy worked at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as a Systems Analyst. She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Amy is excited about the opportunity to be a member of the 2020 class of the UT Executive Leadership Institute. She believes participating in the institute will give her additional knowledge and skills to become a stronger and more effective leader.
Mr. Michael Carter
Assistant Vice President for Advancement Services
UT Foundation
Michael O. Carter has served in multiple roles during his 28 years at the University of Tennessee. In his current capacity as Assistant Vice President of Advancement Services for the UT Foundation, he manages a team of 32 people in six departments: Alumni and Donor Records, Business Intelligence, User Services, Enterprise Systems, Prospect Management and Research, and Online Engagement.
As a leader, Michael’s priorities include strategic planning, and implementing and maintaining cost-effective, high-performance emerging solutions that support the University’s philanthropic goals and priorities. Since being named Assistant Vice President in 2014, he has worked to cultivate a culture of accountability, transparency, consistency, efficiency, and accuracy among his staff.
Prior to joining the UT Foundation, Michael worked for more than a decade in the Office of Information Technology, focusing on desktop and web-based applications, and was one of the leads in launching electronic commerce solutions at UT Knoxville. Michael holds a BSBA in Computer Information Systems and an MBA from Western Carolina University.
Mr. Steve Catlett
Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Steve has over twenty-five years in the University Advancement industry with experience in alumni relations and development. He manages a development team focused on key central areas within the university as well as the regional team.
Steve began his career in Advancement in 1992 as Director of Alumni Programs at the University of Tennessee where he worked with alumni chapters across the US. In 2006 Steve accepted the position of Associate Vice Chancellor of Alumni Affairs heading up alumni efforts for the flagship campus of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. During his tenure he implemented new programs focused around targeted alumni segments, oversaw major growth in staffing and budgeting, established the Alumni Board of Directors and the Alumni Awards program.
In August 2012, he was appointed to his current position as Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement. In this role, Steve and his team are responsible for all non-college based fundraising programs, management of the regional fundraising team and international fundraising.
Steve has been nationally involved in the Advancement professional organization known as CASE (Council and Support of Education), holding leadership positions in the Southeast District and speaking at numerous conferences.
Dr. Mojdeh Dehghan
Interim Chair Department of General Dentistry
UT College of Dentistry
Dr. Mojdeh Dehghan is currently an Associate Professor, and Interim Chair of the General Dentistry Department, at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, with over 25 years of private practice experience. Dr. Dehghan has held several national leadership positions including the Board of Directors for the American Association of Women Dentists (2017-2018), the AAWD representative for the American Dental Association Diversity and Inclusion Committee (2016-2018), and the University Relations Committee of the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry (2014-2016). Her research interests include, Dental Erosion, Dental Technology and CAD/CAM Dentistry, and is the recipient of several national research awards. The results of her research have been published in professional journals including the Journal of General Dentistry, Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, Journal of Dental Education, Journal of Dental Research and Inside Dentistry. She is a dental consultant for rehabilitation and treatment centers for patients with Eating Disorders, and a frequent continuing education presenter for Dentists and Dental Hygienist at local and national dental association meetings.
Mr. Michael Ebbs
Associate Vice Chancellor, Finance
UT Health Science Center
Michael Ebbs is an experienced higher education leader in the areas of finance and information technology. He has spent 24 years in various roles primarily at academic health science centers. Earlier in his career, he was instrumental in several enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center and Pepperdine University. Michael transitioned into a finance role at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. He led a team that implemented a new financial system for the school and eventually became the Chief Financial Officer. He arrived at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in May 2015 as Associate Vice Chancellor of Finance. He currently provides leadership for the areas of Accounting/Budget, Procurement, Payroll, and the Bursar office. Michael holds a BBA in Accounting and Management Information Systems, Master of Accountancy, and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He is a Certified Public Accountant and he is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Memphis. He is married with three children and in his spare time enjoys backpacking and running half marathons.
Dr. Yancy Freeman
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
UT Chattanooga
Dr. Yancy Freeman grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Freeman completed an undergraduate degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and a doctorate in Learning and Leadership. He is a first-generation college graduate. Dr. Freeman has worked at UTC for 24 years, and currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.
He is a proud member of the Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and currently serves on the Boards of the Girls Preparatory School (GPS), the Public Education Foundation (PEF), and the Chattanooga River City Company. Furthermore, he has served as a member of 100 Black Men of Chattanooga, and on the Boards at Chattanooga Christian School and Youth YMCA Leadership Council. Dr. Freeman was named a 2018 Top 30 Influential Leader in Chattanooga by City Scope Magazine, and he holds active memberships within several honor societies including Golden Key, Alpha Society, and Phi Eta Sigma.
Dr. Freeman has been married for 23 years to Rafielle Freeman, and they have 2 children: Yancy, Jr. and Camille.
Ms. Angela Gibson
Chief Information Officer
UT Institute of Agriculture
Dr. Yancy Freeman grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Freeman completed an undergraduate degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and a doctorate in Learning and Leadership. He is a first-generation college graduate. Dr. Freeman has worked at UTC for 24 years, and currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.
Angela A. Gibson is the chief information officer (CIO) at the UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), where she provides strategic leadership, vision, and direction for IT projects throughout the Institute. Ms. Gibson joined the Institute in January of 2019, bringing over 20 years of experience in the IT industry to her current role.
Prior to joining UTIA, Ms. Gibson served as the IT team leader for the Division of Enrollment Management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) for 14 years, where she managed the division’s technology team, implemented campus-wide imaging systems, served on the Banner student information system (SIS) implementation team, and was also the Division’s technical lead during the creation and opening of the One Stop Office.
Ms. Gibson began her career at the UTK as a research associate for the Center for Transportation Research, working on transportation- and energy-related research projects for Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In 2000, she became a systems analyst in the Bursar’s Office where she designed and created database systems.
Ms. Gibson earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She earned her project management professional (PMP) certification in 2019.
Mr. Dan Harder
Vice Chancellor for IT and Chief Information Officer
UT Health Science Center
Dan Harder is the Vice Chancellor for IT and Chief information Officer at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. In this role, Dan is responsible for setting the strategy and direction for enterprise technology needs at UTHSC. Dan also provides leadership, support, and coordination across all facets of technology planning, delivery, and design in addition to partnering with campus leaders and faculty to implement technology solutions.
Before arriving at UTHSC, Dan held IT leadership positions at Duke University, Elon University, and most recently at Emory University, leading the Emory School of Medicine technology portfolio.
Dan has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Appalachian State University and a master’s degree in Project Management from Western Carolina University.
Dr. Bruce LaMattina
Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Research Initiatives
UT Knoxville
Bruce LaMattina came to the University of Tennessee in 2017 as the Office of Research and Engagement’s associate vice chancellor for research development. In January 2019, he was named associate vice chancellor for strategic research initiatives. In this role, LaMattina provides leadership to facilitate research growth in strategically important areas.
LaMattina has 25 years of experience that spans academia, corporate research and development, and government. Prior to joining UT, he led the Charlotte Research Institute (CRI) at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte (UNCC). LaMattina also served as the director of federal research relations at Rutgers University (2011-2015); as program manager for the Solid Mechanics Branch in the Mechanical Sciences Division of the Engineering Sciences Directorate at the US Army Research Office (ARO) (2001-2011) and as a principle researcher at ABB, Inc. (1996-2001). In addition, he was a visiting professor at NC State University (1996-2011) and an adjunct professor at Duke University (2005-2011).
LaMattina received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with minors in Civil Engineering and Mathematics from North Carolina State University and is a professionally licensed engineer in North Carolina. His master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering are from the University of Delaware.
Ms. Mary McDonald
Controller
UT System Administration
Mary Carr McDonald is the Controller of the University of Tennessee. Mary began her career in the Knoxville College of Education. She joined the Controller’s Office in 1986 working in Sponsored Projects. Mary was then Grants and Contracts Specialist and Acting Director of Accounting and Disbursements for the Chattanooga campus. After working as Accountant II at Roane State Community College and Staff Auditor at Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Mary returned to Systems Administration as Senior Auditor. In 1999, Mary was selected for the IRIS implementation team, and she became the first Director of Contracts in 2007. In 2011, Mary returned to the Controller’s Office as Assistant Controller with an emphasis on sponsored project accounting and was promoted to Associate Controller in July 2018.
Mary has a BS degree in Finance and a MBA from UT Chattanooga and is a CPA. She is active in the East Tennessee Chapter of Association of Government Accountants, having served as Chapter President for two terms. Mary represents the university on the Council of Government Relations. Mary is married to Dennis McDonald and lives in Maryville.
Mr. David Mills
Director, Health Sciences Government Relations and Advocacy
UT Health Science Center
David C. Mills is Director of Health Sciences, Government Relations and Advocacy for The University of Tennessee. David studied history and political science. David has served, inter alia, The Iowa Health Information Network; Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children; Vanderbilt University; Tennessee State Government; and as a Consultant. David is one of fifteen children born into a family of strong, active faith. David is dad to five children and grandfather to ten. David was elected to Political Office at age twenty-five. David has authored essays, two plays, and a book, Unholy: The Slaves Bible. David has lived in Newark, New Jersey; Los Angeles, Oakland, Manteca and San Diego California; Wilmington, Delaware, Knoxville, Nashville and now Memphis Tennessee. David is joyfully married.
Ms. Margaret Norris
Executive Director, Municipal Technical Advisory Service
UT Institute for Public Service
Margaret Norris is the Executive Director for the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), housed in the Institute for Public Service. She has been with MTAS for eighteen years, serving her first sixteen years as a Municipal Management Consultant before accepting the challenge of her current position in August of 2017.
Prior to joining MTAS in 2001, Margaret once worked for the agency as a graduate intern. Her other experience includes work in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; South Pittsburg Tennessee; and Lumberton, North Carolina. She loves cities and helping municipalities serve their customers. She believes in the aphorism: “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”
Margaret graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with dual degrees in Psychology and Spanish and earned a Master of Public Administration from UT Chattanooga. She served as the Executive Director of the Tennessee City Management Association from 2004-2008. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Tennessee City Management Association, and the International City/County Management Association. She is also a registered member of the National Association of Parliamentarians.
Ms. Laure Pou
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
UT Chattanooga
Laure Pou is Assistant Vice Chancellor, Human Resources, UT Chattanooga. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Auburn University and a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Laure joined the UTC Office of Human Resources (HR) in 2009 after completing her master’s degree. She was appointed as Executive Director of Human Resources in 2016 and now currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor. Her role includes responsibility for leadership of the Office of Human Resources and the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) at UTC. Laure strives in her role to provide strategic, effective, and innovative services to campus. She enjoys serving her campus community in Chattanooga and collaborating across the UT System to advance the services of HR and OEI, as well as the higher education mission of the University of Tennessee. Laure is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Learning and Leadership and plans to graduate in 2020.
Mr. Blake Reagan
Director, Procurement Services
UT System Administration
Blake Reagan is a Tennessee native, and longtime resident of Knoxville. Blake has a B.A. in Political Science, and a J.D. (graduate law degree), both from UT Knoxville. Blake is the director of procurement services for The University of Tennessee’s System Administration procurement office (purchasing and contracts). He has co-authored two books and is currently working on a third book. He enjoys public speaking and has spoken at multiple national and regional conferences. Blake enjoys professional and personal development, and he spend significant amounts of free time reading, listening to podcasts or audiobooks, and taking online courses. He has spent more than a decade studying standard English contract drafting skills, and he enjoys drafting and reviewing contracts. On the personal side, Blake has a strong passion for physical fitness and nutrition: he works out 6-7 days per week, usually twice per day.
Dr. Shadow Robinson
Dean of the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences
UT Martin
Shadow JQ Robinson was born in rural eastern Kentucky in 1975, growing up two miles from the Virginia border, deep in Appalachia. He began taking classes at the University of Kentucky at 14 (full-time at 16), earning degrees in Physics & Astronomy and in Mathematics and was inducted to Phi Beta Kappa. His PhD in theoretical nuclear physics is from Rutgers University. He held visiting positions at Lexington Community College and Eastern Kentucky University before joining the faculty at the University of Southern Indiana where he received the Outstanding Teaching by New Faculty Award before moving to Millsaps College. In his decade there, he held several positions including Professor and Chair of Physics, Director of the James Observatory (a historically renovated astronomical observatory), Director of the Compass Curriculum (general education program), Faculty Council President, and Director of Dual Degree Pre-Engineering programs. In 2018, Shadow became the Dean of the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Martin. At UT Martin, he has led the academic planning for the Latimer Engineering and Science building (expected opening 2022) and has been central to the visioning and ongoing development of the Innovation and Product Realization Facility.
Mr. Rick Scarbrough
Executive Director, Law Enforcement Innovation Center
UT Institute for Public Service
Rick Scarbrough became the Executive Director for the University of Tennessee’s Law Enforcement Innovation Center on August 1, 2018. He joined LEIC from the Clinton Police Department, having served there for 23 years, the last 16 as their Chief of Police. He also served 6 years for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department.
He is a graduate of the 197th session of the FBI National Academy and the College of Policing Senior Leadership Seminar held in Manchester, England. He has held leadership positions on numerous boards including the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In 2014, he was awarded Police Chief of the Year for the State of Tennessee.
He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from Tusculum College. Rick’s wife, Mollie, is a pharmacist and co-owner of Hoskins Drug Store. They have two daughters, Natalie, also a pharmacist and Rachel an occupational therapist.
Mrs. Melissa Tindell
Director, Communications
UT System Administration
Melissa Tindell is the Director of Communications for the University of Tennessee System. With more than 20 years of experience in the field of communications, public relations and marketing, Melissa is responsible for overall development, execution and management of internal and external communications programs for UT System Administration. Her primarily responsibilities include developing communication strategy and coordination of communication for the UT President’s office, as well as human resources, and government relations and advocacy. Additionally, she manages and ensures compliance with all public information, public records and open meetings requirements, as well as oversees administration of the UT President and UT System social media accounts. Melissa teaches during the summer in the Leadership Academy, the flagship principal preparation program offered through UT Knoxville’s Center for Educational Leadership.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from UT Knoxville and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in strategic communications from UT Martin.
Mr. Robert C. Chance
Director of Payroll
UT System Administration
Rob Chance is the director of payroll for the UT System. He is responsible for payroll processing and tax reporting for more than 32,000 regular, temporary and student employees and also oversees group health insurance plans for 12,600 benefit-eligible employees.
Chance has more than 25 years of experience in higher education financial and benefits administration. During this time, he implemented online pay statements and online W-2s to provide better access to information for employees and to provide efficiency for the University, consolidated multiple campus/departmental installations of the Kronos timekeeping system into a centrally run system, and enhanced the University’s HR/Payroll system to comply with the rules and regulations of the Affordable Care Act. He also serves as the higher education representative on the state of Tennessee Insurance Committee, which provides insurance plan oversight for all state and higher education employees and their dependents.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1989 and a master’s degree in accounting in 1991, both from UT Knoxville.
He is looking forward to exploring new ideas and techniques that can be used in a finance leadership role at the University.
Dr. Frank Cuevas
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Adjunct Assistant Professor
UT Knoxville
Frank Cuevas serves as associate vice chancellor for student life at UT Knoxville. He also serves as adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. He joined UT Knoxville as executive director of University Housing and was later promoted to assistant vice chancellor for Student Life and executive director of University Housing. In July 2017, he assumed his current role of associate vice chancellor.
He assists with leadership, supervision and management for the Division of Student Life, directly overseeing University Housing, the Student Union, New Student and Family Programs, Strategic Planning & Assessment, the Center for Career Development, RecSports and the Office of Communications and Marketing. Cuevas’ accomplishments include providing oversight for construction of the new student union ($184 million) and the west campus housing project ($236 million). He also has extensive experience at other large public research universities, including The Ohio State University and Florida State University.
Cuevas looks forward to increasing his knowledge of higher education leadership and management through the UT Executive Leadership Institute.
Dr. Charley Deal
Special Advisor to the Chancellor; Interim Director of the Office of Research, Grants and Contracts; and Executive Director of WestStar Leadership
UT Martin
Charley Deal serves as the special advisor to the chancellor, interim director of research and sponsored programs, and executive director of the WestStar Leadership program. He is a graduate of UT Martin (’92, ’96) and received his doctorate in learning and leadership from UT Chattanooga in 2017. Deal has been employed at UT Martin since 1992, working in Residence Life, Development, Athletics and Alumni Relations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the UT Federal Credit Union, Weakley County Emergency Food and Shelter, United Way of West Tennessee, Weakley County United Way and WRAP of West Tennessee.
While in alumni relations, Deal ushered in a new era in traditions with the creation of Quad City during homecoming, Grand Finale and Senior Walk, and electronic communications to alumni. Under his leadership, the University’s annual giving program grew by more than 400 percent in five years.
By participating in the UT Executive Leadership Institute, Deal hopes to gain greater confidence in his leadership abilities and develop a statewide network of professionals to share ideas and seek input on issues of concern.
Dr. Lannett Edwards
Professor and Graduate Director
UT Institute of Agriculture
Lannett Edwards, a UT Institute of Agriculture animal science professor and graduate director, earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Austin Peay State University, a master’s degree in dairy science from Mississippi State University and a doctorate in animal science from the University of Florida. She was a USDA-ARS postdoc in Beltsville, Maryland, before joining UTIA in 1998.
The major impetus for her taking on different leadership roles within the Institute was the phrase, “To change the system, you need to be part of the system.” Although frustration fueled initial efforts, a lifelong passion for agriculture (education, outreach and research) and gratitude for the efforts of others are now the major drivers for this first-generation college graduate. Edwards especially enjoys mentoring others and being engaged in facilitating change.
She believes the additional knowledge and skills to be gained by completing the UT Executive Leadership Institute will undoubtedly provide invaluable training and an important “test” of core competencies to thrive in an executive level position.
Dr. Macel Ely
Director of Organizational Improvement
UT Institute for Public Service
Macel Ely serves as the director of organizational improvement at IPS. Previously, he was director of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership.
Macel earned bachelors’ degrees in political science from Lee University and Kentucky Wesleyan College. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration and a doctorate in educational leadership from UT Knoxville. In 2011, Macel authored a book entitled Ain’t No Grave, which has been featured in media outlets such as CNN Headline News, National Public Radio and the British Broadcasting Corporation. The Association of Recorded Sound Collections nominated his literary work for best historical research.
Macel is looking forward to participating in the UT Executive Leadership Institute in order to network and learn from others who share his passion for strengthening the UT System.
Tyler Forrest
Associate Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance
UT Chattanooga
Tyler Forrest currently serves as the associate vice chancellor for budget and finance at UT Chattanooga. He began his career with the University in 2010 as a financial analyst and since has served in a number of financial management roles. His current areas of responsibility include budget and financial management, the procurement of goods and services, contractual agreements, asset management and auxiliary enterprises, which include parking services, food services, the bookstore, graphic and mail services, and the student ID card office.
Forrest’s major accomplishments include the implementation of a University-wide budget planning process, which has led to strategic tuition and fee model changes such as gaining approval for a 15/4 tuition model and multiple market adjustments to regional and out-of-state tuition rates. Other accomplishments include transformational changes to the campus parking system, as well as substantial capital investments in the food service operations.
Forrest is excited about participating in the UT Executive Leadership Institute and looks forward to sharpening his own leadership skills to serve UT for many years to come.
Ms. Petra McPhearson
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
UT Martin
Petra Rencher McPhearson’s UT career spans more than 19 years. She currently serves as the vice chancellor for finance and administration a UT Martin. In that role, she is responsible for the business, safety and physical plant operations of the campus. Originally from Clarksdale, Mississippi, McPhearson first worked in the Bursar’s Office at the UT Health Science Center, and then served in various roles in finance and administration at both the UT Health Science Center and UT Martin campuses. She was instrumental in creating the position control model at UTHSC and the “Soar in Four” tuition model at UTM, respectively. A portion of her accounting career was dedicated to Bethel College, now Bethel University, where she served as the principal financial officer.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Alcorn State University and a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
McPhearson anticipates being a stronger, more insightful trailblazer in higher education as a result of participating in the UT Executive Leadership Institute.
Ms. Jean Mercer
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs
UT Knoxville
Jean Mercer is the assistant vice chancellor for research and director of the Office of Sponsored Programs at UT Knoxville. She is responsible for overseeing the review and submission processes of proposal applications to external sponsors to support the research, scholarship and creative activities of faculty, staff and students. Her responsibilities also include oversight of the review and negotiation of agreements for funded proposal applications.
Mercer recently oversaw development and implementation of an electronic system to track contract negotiations resulting in streamlined office operations. Other accomplishments include participating in the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) pilot program to streamline subrecipient review processes across all FDP schools.
She looks forward to the opportunity for learning more about the University and further developing and refining her leadership skills through her participation in the UT Executive Leadership Institute.
Angelia M. Nystrom, JD, LLM
Director of Specialty Programs (UTIA)
UT Foundation, Inc.
Angelia Nystrom is executive director of specialty programs for the UT Institute of Agriculture. She is responsible for UTIA’s planned giving program and for real estate acquisition and development. As a member of the institutional advancement team, she has been instrumental in securing multiple eight-figure gifts for UTIA. Additionally, she has re-vamped UTIA’s planned giving website and marketing materials.
Prior to joining UTIA, Nystrom was director of planned giving for the UT System, following 18 years in the private practice of law. Nystrom’s experience includes estate and charitable gift planning, estate and trust administration, real property transactions and tax litigation. She is a frequent lecturer on estate planning, probate and elder care issues. She earned a jurisprudence degree from Mercer University and was a visiting scholar in the UT Knoxville College of Law. She holds an LLM in estate planning and elder law from Western New England University, where she finished top of her class.
She hopes to learn more about the units within UT and further develop her skills to become a more effective leader within the University system.
Dr. Daniel J. Pack, P.E.
Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science
UT Chattanooga
Daniel Pack is the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at UT Chattanooga. Before joining UTC, he was the Mary Clarke Endowed Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Texas, San Antonio, and professor of electrical and computer engineering at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he served as director of the Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research.
He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Arizona State University, Harvard University and Purdue University, and was a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Lincoln Laboratory. Pack co-authored seven textbooks and published more than 160 book chapters and technical papers on systems, control, robotics, pattern recognition and engineering education. He is the recipient of the Carnegie Professor of the Year Award, Frank J. Seiler Research Excellence Award, Tau Beta Pi Outstanding Professor Award, Academy Educator Award and Magoon Award. He is a registered professional engineer in Colorado and currently serves as editor-at-large and associate editor for two international journals.
Through the UT Executive Leadership Institute, he expects to grow as an academic leader.
Dr. Stacey S. Patterson
Vice President for Research, Outreach and Economic Development and President/CEO of the UT Research Foundation
UT System Administration
Stacey Patterson serves as vice president for research, outreach and economic development at the UT System and also as president of the UT Research Foundation (UTRF). Patterson joined UT in 2006 in a joint role in licensing and research. At UTRF, she was responsible for managing a broad portfolio of intellectual property for licensing and commercialization. Her research led to significant external funding and a startup company developing biological cell lines for optical imaging applications.
In 2009, Patterson joined the executive vice president’s office. She served as lead author on a $24-million NSF grant to grow research infrastructure in Tennessee. Among several statewide initiatives, Patterson led the $62.5 million Solar Initiative. In 2015, she was promoted to the dual roles of UT associate vice president and vice president of UTRF.
Patterson earned a bachelor’s degree and doctorate in microbiology from UT and a master’s degree from East Tennessee State University. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of South Florida. She has secured funding from NOAA, U.S. Army, NSF and NIH, and has been a contributor on several U.S. patents in sensor development and cancer imaging.
Through her participation in the UT Executive Leadership Institute, Patterson hopes to build additional self-awareness and identify ways to use this knowledge to better serve the University.
Dr. Joanne Romagni
Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School
UT Chattanooga
Joanne Romagni is the vice chancellor for research and dean of the Graduate School at UT Chattanooga. She is responsible for support and facilitation of all scholarship and research activities on the campus as well as all functions of the Graduate School. She oversees the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Integrity, all research centers and core facilities, the Undergraduate Research Office and the Graduate School. In the past three years, UTC has increased graduate enrollment by more than 30 percent and research expenditures by 38 percent. As UTC’s first vice chancellor for research, Romagni helped to reimagine the “SimCenter” Center of Excellence and initiate a new research center, the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress.
Through the UT Executive Leadership Institute, Romagni expects get a much more global view of the academic enterprise, outside of just academic affairs and research, and to better understand the challenges across the different units. She also would like to get a better understanding of a state university system, as most of her career has been spent at private institutions.
Jim Sauceman
Director of IRIS Administrative Support
UT System Administration
Jim Sauceman is the director of the IRIS Administrative Support department, which supports UT’s SAP ERP software and related systems. He leads a team of 32 information technology professionals in support of UT’s financial, travel, human resources, recruiting and payroll systems. During the past few years, he has led an effort to modernize the SAP ERP software, having now completed the first two major phases toward that goal. He earned a master’s degree in business administration and holds the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional certification. He is past president of the Tennessee ASUG (Americas’ SAP Users’ Group) and was recognized with an outstanding service award at the SAP national conference three years ago.
He would like to learn practical strategies and techniques for becoming a more effective and well-rounded leader. He recognizes all leaders can have blind spots and areas in need of improvement and would like to identify and improve his.
Mr. Matthew Scoggins
General Counsel
UT System Administration
Matthew Scoggins serves as general counsel for UT System. The general counsel and attorneys working under the general counsel’s supervision are responsible for all legal matters affecting the University, including representation of the University and University officials in legal actions. The office’s attorneys strive to help University officials achieve their goals and solve problems in a practical, timely, legal, ethical and efficient manner.
During his time at UT, Scoggins has been the lead attorney for providing advice and representation in a variety of areas, including student affairs, athletics, legislative affairs, Title IX and the Tennessee Public Records Act.
Prior to joining UT, Scoggins was an associate in the litigation group of Bass, Berry and Sims PLC in Knoxville and an associate in the labor and employment group at Alston and Bird LLP in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a doctor of jurisprudence at UT Knoxville, ranking first in his graduating class from law school.
He hopes that the UT Executive Leadership Institute will help him develop the skills needed to be a more effective leader for the University and improve his management of attorneys and staff in the Office of the General Counsel.
John Clinton Stier
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Herbert College of Agriculture
UT Institute of Agriculture
John Stier is the associate dean for the Herbert College of Agriculture. His responsibilities include leading curriculum development and student success programs for undergraduate and graduate students. One of his major accomplishments has been development of the University’s China Scholars Program (CSP), a partnership among UT, the China Scholarship Council, and select Chinese universities. The CSP supports Chinese doctoral students in UT research programs focused on food, water and the environment, with the goal of long-term collaborations as students return to become researchers, academicians and other leaders in China.
Another accomplishment has been a redevelopment of the office staffing positions and types of hires to more effectively advise, retain and graduate students. Under his leadership, the College has changed the undergraduate advising model to allow faculty to focus on research and better student mentorship, and improved retention of underrepresented students at levels exceeding the overall University results.
His expectations from the UT Executive Leadership Institute are to enhance knowledge of self and how best to use his skills to improve situations for others, to improve his ability to effect changes and to better resolve conflicts.
Carey Whitworth
Assistant Vice President for Government Relations and Advocacy
UT System Administration
Carey Whitworth, as assistant vice president for government relations and advocacy, manages a host of state, federal and strategic issues on behalf of the UT System. She works with elected officials to advance University interests and often serves as spokesperson before the Tennessee legislature. Carey provides political counsel to UT leadership and consults on media issues with legislative ramifications. She leads the University’s grassroots legislative advocacy program, working in partnership with the UT Alumni Association. The advocacy program has been recognized nationally under her leadership.
In 2017, she was selected to participate in Harvard’s “Women in Education Leadership” program and was recognized as one of Nashville’s “Emerging Leaders.” Whitworth earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from the UT Knoxville, where she received the highest student honor, the Torchbearer Award. She is the first woman to serve in a government relations leadership role in UT history.
She believes the UT Executive Leadership Institute will assist in developing new strengths and a plan for long-term growth at the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Catherine Womack
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the College of Medicine
UT Health Science Center
Catherine Womack has been the interim chair of preventive medicine at the UT Health Science Center since October 2017. Her department includes the divisions of biostatistics and epidemiology and the Center for Innovation in Health Equity Research. She holds monthly faculty meetings, so that her different divisions have the chance to collaborate and build camaraderie. She is responsible for annual faculty performance and planning for the year. Mentoring is important to her and she encourages the faculty to be involved in ways that help them to be successful in their career path.
As interim chair, she has successfully lobbied the interim executive dean to replace a senior-level biostatistician and epidemiologist to bolster these divisions. She also has worked with the research administration to develop a partnership with the Division of Biostatistics to facilitate the start-up of the STATED core, which will provide statistical support for all campuses.
As a member of the UT Executive Leadership Institute, she wants to be a leader at the University of Tennessee who promotes excellence in its students, faculty and administrators.