Welcome
The University of Tennessee Southern proudly recognizes Dr. Linda C. Martin as Chancellor, leading with a steadfast commitment to student success and academic excellence. Under her leadership, UT Southern continues to advance its student-first mission, providing a transformative educational experience for all students.
About the Chancellor
Dr. Linda C. Martin is a respected leader and accomplished innovator in higher education with a distinguished career spanning more than 35 years. She was appointed Interim Chancellor of the University of Tennessee Southern in 2022, and in 2024, the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees voted unanimously to remove the “interim” from her title in recognition of the remarkable achievements she had accomplished since being appointed. A champion of student success, Dr. Martin has remained dedicated to fostering a student-centered experience, ensuring that every UT Southern student receives the highest quality education and support to reach their full potential.
Dr. Martin earned her undergraduate degree in animal science from The Ohio State University and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in animal breeding and genetics from Virginia Tech and Colorado State University, respectively.
Prior to her role at UT Southern, Dr. Martin served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success for the University of Tennessee System, working closely with campus chief academic and student affairs officers to oversee system-wide academic strategy, policies, and student success initiatives. Most recently, she served as Interim Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), leading the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Herbert College of Agriculture, AgResearch, and Extension.
During her 10 years of service at The Ohio State University, Dr. Martin was named the Sanford G. Price and Isabelle P. Barbee Chair in Teaching, Learning, and Advising and was appointed Director of the University’s Second-Year Transformational Experience Program. In her role as Associate Dean and Director of Academic Affairs for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), she led efforts in student recruitment, development, academic advising, first-year experience, study abroad, undergraduate research, multicultural student services, and career readiness. Under her leadership, undergraduate enrollment in CFAES grew by over 25%, study abroad participation reached nearly 50%, and the four-year graduation rate climbed to over 70%.
At Oklahoma State University, she provided leadership for faculty development in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), worked with the CASNR Effective Teaching Committee to enhance teaching effectiveness, and served as an advisor to the OSU Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Before that, she spent 15 years as a faculty member at Kansas State University, where she was deeply committed to teaching and student mentorship.
Dr. Martin has received more than 25 college, regional, and national awards for teaching excellence, including the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Distinguished Educator Award (2007), the American Society of Animal Science Distinguished Teacher Award (2006), the USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching in Food and Agriculture Sciences Award (1998), and many more. She was also the first woman inducted into The Ohio State University Animal Science Hall of Fame (2005), an honor recognizing her lifelong contributions to education and student success.
Dr. Martin assumed her role as Chancellor of UT Southern on the one-year anniversary of the historic acquisition that established the UT System’s newest undergraduate institution. Having led the university through a time of transformation, she remains steadfast in her commitment to empowering students, strengthening the campus community, and advancing UT Southern’s mission to serve the region. She currently resides in Knoxville with her husband, Ken, and their dog, Jake.
Chancellor Martin
The University of Tennessee Southern does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status in the provision of educational opportunities or employment opportunities and benefits.