Longtime University of Tennessee administrator and educator Dr. Katie High has been named the interim dean for the UT Martin College of Business and Global Affairs. High will succeed Dr. Ross Dickens who accepted the dean’s position for the Auburn University at Montgomery College of Business. She returns to UT Martin where she previously served as vice chancellor for student affairs from 2001 to 2006. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2019.

“Dr. High is a familiar name and a proven leader for UT Martin and the University of Tennessee,” said Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, UT Martin provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “She has held key leadership roles over the years and is an advocate for student success. I am confident we will all benefit from her knowledge and wisdom.”

High retired in 2017 as vice president for academic affairs and student success for the University of Tennessee System following 35 years of university service. She also held the positions of assistant vice president for academic affairs, associate senior vice president, and served twice as chief of staff for the UT president. High holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Miami University in Ohio and a Doctor of Education degree from UT Knoxville.

“Retirement is great, but the chance to work back at UT Martin is even better,” High said. “The interim dean job will be a challenge for me. I’ll have a learning curve, a steep one, and I’ll be relying heavily on the faculty and the support staff in the college to help us all succeed.”

High said that reaffirming accreditation for the college by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) will be her highest priority. She will also assist Cavalier with UT Martin Strategic Plan implementation.

“I'm excited about the progress UT Martin has made regarding increasing enrollments, but our work there is certainly not complete,” she said. “I look forward to helping in that area (enrollment management) any way that I can.”

###