Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From East Tennessee State University:

East Tennessee State University’s (ETSU) Master of Public Health (MPH) Program was recently ranked as the best MPH program in the county by Healthcare Management Degree Guide, which evaluates accredited programs on the number of specializations offered, student-to-faculty ratio, and cost.

The ETSU College of Public Health’s low student-to-faculty ratio, coupled with its affordability, placed its MPH program at the top of Healthcare Management Degree Guide’s rankings, ahead of other prestigious programs across the country. That list includes Boston University, Brown University, Columbia University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University.

“Since it was established, the ETSU College of Public Health has sought to establish itself as the school of choice for students seeking an exceptional education in a world-class environment,” said Dr. Randy Wykoff, dean of the College of Public Health. “For our MPH program to be highlighted among – and above – other schools renowned for their public health education shows we are meeting that mission.”

The ETSU College of Public Health offers five MPH concentrations, including one in public health leadership and policy, which the university launched in 2023. The other four concentrations are biostatistics, community health, environmental health, and epidemiology.

All but the environmental health concentration, which is available in a hybrid format, are offered both online and on-ground, and all include the option of a spring or fall term start.

“From its nationally recognized research to its award-winning community service, the ETSU College of Public Health has established itself as one of the national’s premier public health programs,” said Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, ETSU’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

From the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga:

University of Tennessee (UT) President Randy Boyd recently announced members of the search committee tasked with identifying the next chancellor for the UT at Chattanooga (UTC) campus. The 15-person group, chaired by Yancy Freeman, Chancellor of UT at Martin and a former UTC Vice Chancellor, will officially launch the search in January with the goal of naming a Chancellor in June. Other members of the committee are:

1. Tiffany Carpenter, Vice President for Communications and Marketing, UT System Administration;
2. Beth Crawford, President of the Faculty Senate and UC Foundation Professor & Department Head/Programs Advisor, UTC; Faculty Representative, Board of Trustees Education, Research, and Service Committee;
3. Jay Dale, Market President, Southeast Tennessee, First Horizon and UTC Alumni;
4. Jordan Fall, President, Student Government Association, UTC;
5. Brent Goldberg, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, UTC;
6. Ken Jones, Senior Director of Procurement, Vendor Relations and Minority and Women-Owned Business at EPB and President of the UTC Alumni Board;
7. Susan Lazenby, Chair of the UTC Exempt Staff Council and Interim Station Manager/Director of Web Development, IT Business Operations, UTC;
8. Melita Rector, Chair of the UTC Non-Exempt Staff Council and Accounting Specialist, Budget & Finance, UTC;
9. Valerie Rutledge, Dean, College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies, UTC;
10. Mina Sartipi, Executive Director of the UTC Research Institute and Director of the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress, UTC;
11. David Watson, Member, UT Board of Trustees; Co-Owner, Mountain View Auto Group;
12. Artanya Wesley, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, UTC;
13. Mark Wharton, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, UTC; and
14. Todd Womack, UTC Advisory Board Member, Vice Chair of the UC Foundation, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Public Affairs.

From the University of Tennessee Southern:

As if one Chancellor search is not enough, UT President Randy Boyd recently announced members of the search committee tasked with identifying the next chancellor for the institution’s newest campus – UT Southern in Pulaski. The 12-person committee will be chaired by Donde Plowman, Chancellor of UT, Knoxville, and include:

1. Evan Beech, Vice Chancellor for Advancement, UT Southern;
2. Charles Burk, Student Representative, UT Advisory Board;
3. Prentice Chandler, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UT Southern;
4. Angie Hall, Administrative Associate, UT Southern;
5. Doug Haney, UT Southern Advisory Board Member;
6. Stephen McBride, Director of Career Development, UT Southern;
7. Melissa Ryckman, Faculty Senate Chair and Associate Professor of History, UT Southern;
8. Donnie Smith, Member, UT Board of Trustees;
9. Ken Vickers, Professor of History, UT Southern;
10. Nan Wakefield, Chair, Johnston School of Business, UT Southern; and
11. Carey Whitworth, Vice President of Government Relations, Advocacy and Economic Development, UT System.

From North Carolina State University:

North Carolina State University (NC State) has announced its 2024-25 class of Goodnight Early Career Innovators. The program recognizes and rewards promising NC State early-career faculty whose scholarship is in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) or STEM education. The 25 faculty selected will receive $22,000 ­for each of the next three years to support their scholarship and research endeavors.

“The Goodnights’ investment in our faculty helps us recruit and retain innovative scholars and educators, and ensures they have the resources they need to address our world’s grand challenges,” said Chancellor Randy Woodson. “We are incredibly grateful to the Goodnights for their support of our outstanding faculty.”

Since the Goodnight Early Career Innovators Award program began in 2021, 99 faculty have been honored.

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