FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PULASKI, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee Southern has announced the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Fletcher as Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration, effective December 15, 2025. Dr. Fletcher’s appointment follows the announcement last week of Kyle Hensley as UT Southern’s next Vice Chancellor for Advancement, marking continued momentum in building a strong executive leadership team for the university’s next chapter of growth and transformation.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Fletcher to the UT Southern executive cabinet,” said Chancellor Melinda Arnold, PhD. “Her deep expertise in higher education finance, strategic planning, and operational leadership aligns perfectly with our priorities as we strengthen institutional sustainability and expand opportunities for our students and region.”
A Proven Leader in Higher Education Finance and Operations
Dr. Fletcher brings more than 18 years of progressive experience across private accounting and higher education finance. She most recently served as Director of Budget and Financial Planning at East Tennessee State University, where she co-led the university’s annual budget planning process and contributed to several major cross-campus initiatives, including: university-wide budget model redesign; academic restructuring implementation; chart of accounts modernization; cloud-based ERP/Oracle implementation; strategic financial modeling for capital and operational investments.
She holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, with research focused on leadership preparation for administrative roles across the sector. Her career reflects a commitment to transparent budgeting, collaborative decision-making, and data-informed planning—all essential components of institutional resilience and long-term growth.
In her new role, Dr. Fletcher will oversee UT Southern’s financial operations, budget strategy, facilities and capital priorities, and administrative services that support the university’s strategic plan.
A Strengthened Leadership Team for UT Southern’s Next Chapter
Dr. Fletcher’s appointment comes alongside the recent addition of Kyle Hensley as Vice Chancellor for Advancement, announced last week by the University of Tennessee Foundation. Hensley’s role will focus on advancing philanthropic engagement, donor relations, and alumni partnerships in collaboration with UTFI.
The UTFI release announcing his appointment can be found here.
“With Stephanie and Kyle stepping into these critical leadership roles, UT Southern is well-positioned for the next phase of our growth,” Chancellor Arnold said. “Their combined expertise strengthens our ability to build a financially sound, student-centered, and community-connected university that is ready for the opportunities ahead.”
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