At the recent University of Tennessee Board of Trustees meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve President Boyd’s recommendation to remove the “interim” title from Dr. Linda C. Martin, now officially Chancellor of the University of Tennessee Southern. This decision was retroactively applied, recognizing Dr. Martin’s impressive contributions over the past three years.
Under Chancellor Martin’s leadership, UT Southern has reached unprecedented heights, with successes that include:
- A record first-year retention rate of 77.2%
- A record overall retention rate of 79.5%
- A 12% increase in total enrollment
- An 8.5% increase in transfer students
- Record fundraising of $6.1 million in FY24
- A $1 million increase in endowment
These accomplishments, along with the creation of UT Southern’s first strategic plan and campus master plan, reflect Chancellor Martin’s dedicated leadership. The UT Southern Advisory Board, represented by Chair Jimmy Granbery, presented its unanimous support for the decision to remove the “interim” from her title to the UT Board of Trustees.
The board’s vote to remove “interim” from Chancellor Martin’s title acknowledges the impact of her work and leadership in establishing a strong foundation for UT Southern’s future. This decision does not indicate any future appointments, as a search for a new Chancellor is planned to commence in early spring 2025. Instead, it serves as a formal recognition of the progress achieved under Chancellor Martin’s dedicated stewardship, benefiting students and the entire UT System.
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