With the ever-changing landscape of higher education, it is more important than ever to align Student Life work with an organizational model that supports our students now and in the future. After careful analysis of the organizational structure, Student Life has announced a new design for the division at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Student Life aligns our work around several focus areas:

• Administrative Services
• Health and Wellness
• Strategic Priorities & Residential Experience
• Student Advocacy, Support, Mattering & Belonging
• Student Leadership & Engagement

While these focus areas are not new to the work in Student Life, this realignment supports the division’s new strategic plan and will also better position the division to support the university’s Strategic Vision: It Takes a Volunteer.

The new senior leadership team will consist of the following roles, and they represent an exciting step for Student Life as we better position our talented team to achieve our mission, vision, and strategic priorities.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life

Chandra Myrick will assume this stand-alone leadership role. In this role, she will serve as a key strategist to the Vice Chancellor on a full range of issues facing Student Life and provides leadership for aligning the division’s strategic priorities with institutional goals and strategic vision. Other areas of responsibility include: providing oversight and management for the Office of Assessment & Strategic Initiatives, Student Life Communications, University Housing, and Student Life Special Projects.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Health & Wellness

Jill Zambito will continue to provide leadership for student health and wellness areas that are similarly focused on providing student support and service. Areas of responsibility include: providing oversight and management for the Center for Health Education & Wellness, Care & Resiliency (974-HELP), Student Counseling Center, Student Health Center, and RecSports.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Administrative Services

Mark Alexander will continue to provide leadership for administrative operations within the division. Centralization of key services will enable the division to foster administrative efficiencies and increase responsiveness to operational and budgetary challenges. Areas of responsibility include: providing oversight and management for Student Life Technology Services, Budget and Finance, Emergency Preparedness, Facilities Planning, and division HR/Personnel.

In addition, Student Life will be adding key roles to the senior leadership team to support this new model. A national search will launch at the end of the month for the following two senior leadership roles.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life & Dean of Students

The AVC/DOS will focus on three foundations: student advocacy, support, and mattering and belonging. The AVC/DOS will continue to assume an advocacy role for students while supporting them through educational, social, cultural, and personal development opportunities. Areas of responsibility include: providing oversight and management for Office of the Dean of Students, Student Conduct and Community Standards, Student Disability Services, Inclusive Excellence (Multicultural Student Life, Pride Center, Bias Education) Outreach, Initiatives and Support, (DOS Initiatives, Big Orange Pantry, Family Engagement), Student Media, and co-advising the Student Government Association.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Leadership & Engagement

The AVC, Leadership & Engagement will focus on leading all aspects of student leadership, service, campus engagement, and programming. The AVC is expected to engage, challenge, and support our students through intentional programs and services. Areas of responsibility include: providing oversight and management for the Center for Student Engagement, Jones Center for Leadership & Service, Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, and Student Union.

The search committee for both of these key leadership roles is chaired by Assistant Vice Chancellor Jill Zambito. Executive Recruiter Brooke Swart is assisting with the national search. The selected candidates for these positions are expected to be identified by the end of the spring 2022 term.

Since Associate Vice Chancellor Chandra Myrick is transitioning to a new role, we will also launch a national search for an Executive Director of University Housing. AVC Myrick will appoint a search committee to begin the search within a few weeks.