Dr. Denise Wood, who has led Tusculum College's innovative Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) degree programs for working adults since 2002, has been appointed as the College's newest vice president.

Dr. Wood has been named vice president for extended education, President Dr. Dolphus E. Henry announced to the College's faculty on Feb. 25.

Dr. Wood's responsibilities in the vice presidential position are similar to those she held as a dean, but now she reports directly to President Henry. As a dean she reported to Provost and Academic Vice President Dr. Jonathan Franz. Dr. Franz continues to be responsible for consolidated instructional programs, hiring and evaluation of faculty members, and assessment of learning outcomes.

Dr. Wood's responsibilities at the vice presidential level involve oversight of the education programs for working adults, including enrollment, marketing, delivery of instruction and support services, and facilities oversight at all off-site locations. She is also responsible for oversight of the Professional Development Institute, which "extends noncredit educational services into the professional community," Dr. Henry said.

Dr. Henry welcomed Dr. Wood as a vice president and noted that the new reporting structure creates "an organizational model that allows the President direct supervision of the marketing and support of our adult program. At the same time, it allows the Provost to devote greater attention to strengthening the college's instructional programs."

Many of the new vice president's responsibilities "are parallel to that of the vice president for enrollment management, who is responsible for traditional-age students on the Greeneville campus and who already reports to the president," Dr. Henry said.

"It is a privilege to have been part of Graduate and Professional Studies over the past 14 years," Dr. Wood said in response to her appointment. "I am most grateful for the opportunity to work closely with an outstanding staff, faculty, and administration to promote the mission of Tusculum College and its impact on the communities in East Tennessee. I look forward to building and strengthening relationships with corporations, schools, and other organizations to further extend quality educational programs and support services to adult learners in the region."

Enrollment in the GPS program is currently about 1,500 and is expected to reach 2000 in the 2005-2006 academic year, Dr. Wood said. As the program grows, its key facilities are expanding, she noted. The regional GPS headquarters in Knoxville's Centerpoint Business Park is expanding to take in additional classrooms in an adjacent facility, and the Tri-Cities GPS facility will move by early summer to more spacious quarters next to the current facility.

Dr. Wood's association with Tusculum College began in 1991, when she taught research design and statistical analysis as a part-time instructor. In 1998, she joined Tusculum College full-time as director of research and assessment and then associate dean of academic programs for the Southeast region, becoming dean of GPS in 2002. She holds the academic rank of professor of research.

She has been a member of the President's Cabinet of key administrative leaders since 2003. She chairs the Graduate and Professional Studies Council and is currently vice president of the Tennessee Conference of Graduate Schools. She will be president of that group in the 2005-2006 academic year.

Dr. Wood has taught at several other institutions and has been a department chair, assistant dean of academic affairs, and associate dean of student affairs. She has extensive experience in planning, evaluation, and compliance with standards for accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and other accrediting agencies.

Her bachelor of arts in health and physical education was earned at Montclair State University, formerly Montclair State College, in Upper Montclair, NJ, in 1972.

She earned a master's degree in motor behavior at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1981. She received a doctorate in education in 1984 from UT, majoring in physical education with concentrations in motor learning, social and psychological aspects of sports, and research design and statistical analysis.

While earning her graduate degrees as a graduate assistant at UT between 1980-84 she competed internationally as an athlete in track and field, coached national-caliber athletes and conducted research in the sport sciences.

Dr. Wood enjoyed an outstanding career in track and field while teaching in public schools and coaching at the University of Tennessee. She received recognition as a world class athlete, representing the United States internationally as a member of 25 national teams and captain of six.

She has coached seven Olympians, 62 All-Americans, and 22 national champions. Dr. Wood has held national positions in several governing bodies in sport, served as national coordinator for Olympic Development and served on many committees and advisory boards for sport sciences.

Professional honors received by Dr. Wood include the Dean's Award for Outstanding Associate Faculty, when she was a part-time instructor at Tusculum College. She also received the Chancellor's Citation for Extraordinary Academic Achievement, as a University of Tennessee graduate student.

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