With so much activity around the UT campus, it can be overwhelming to try to keep track of who is in charge of what. Knowing your leaders and those who are directing student life on campus will be helpful in your next four years of undergraduate education. Take a quick look at the following members of the chancellor’s cabinet and various other departments.
Tyvi Small: Vice chancellor for Access and Engagement
Tyvi Small’s second Clifton Strength is “woo,” which stands for “winning others over.” Those with this strength enjoy meeting new people, learning about strangers and creating a connection with them. As a leader in Access and Engagement, Small works to enhance those connections that are important between students and faculty.
Frank Cuevas: Vice chancellor for Student Life
Frank Cuevas also knows how to support students. Cuevas has led multiple projects, including the construction of residence halls and helping UT develop a response strategy to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with his team, Cuevas currently develops leadership opportunities for students as well as plans student support and health initiatives.
KNOXVILLE, TN - Provost John Zomchick introduces Donde Plowman preceding her Chancellor's Flagship Address in the Powell Recital Hall of Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, on Thursday Sep. 29, 2022.
John Zomchick: Provost
Academics are John Zomchick’s primary focus. He serves as provost and senior vice chancellor, but Zomchick has been at UT since 1985, beginning as a professor of English. He directly communicates with Chancellor Donde Plowman and other vice chancellors to address student concerns and policies. Nine academic colleges report to Zomchick, and he oversees things like student retention, graduation policies and financial aid priorities.
John Keith: Director of the Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life
If you plan to join a sorority or fraternity, take note of John Keith, as his department is under Student Life. Keith, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, has a personal grasp on Greek life and all it entails.
The Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life serves to enhance the undergraduate experience at UT through membership. Friendships, academic excellence and service are equally important values that the 47 sororities and fraternities on campus seek to uphold.
UT reports that around 27% of its undergraduates are involved in a sorority or fraternity, and Keith takes that very seriously.
“One of my main goals for sorority and fraternity life here at UT is to transition it from a good system into a great community,” Keith said in an announcement made by Student Life.
Anthony Prewitt: Director of Multicultural Student Life
While it is yet another division of Student Life, the Multicultural Student Life department strives for an inclusive and welcoming campus where students belong, excel and experience meaningful times in their lives that will help shape their futures. They promote programs like the Black Issues Conference and assist student organizations such as the Native American Student Association and UTK’s chapter of the NAACP. Scholarships are also available through MSL.
Prewitt, who says his career and life goals are “simply … be impactful in all that you do,” currently leads a team of eight staff members, including three graduate research assistants.
Donde Plowman: Chancellor of UT Knoxville
Since beginning her position in 2019, Chancellor Donde Plowman has upheld the values and mission of UT while setting records in multiple areas like research expenditures and enrollment increases.
Plowman oversees Tennessee Athletics and represents the SEC in the NCAA Presidential Forum, as of 2020.
Most importantly, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted UT only seven months into Plowman’s time as chancellor. Her subsequent leadership and strategy ensured that students had a quality education that was not only safe but in-depth. UT was listed among the top five U.S. universities for its COVID-19 response in College Magazine.
Chancellor Donde Plowman speaks during the National Pan-Hellenic Council Monuments Groundbreaking Ceremony on Saturday, November 2, 2019.
