Administrative Staff

This page provides a more complete view of the various duties and responsibilities of the administrative staff of the Office of the Provost.

For Provost Susan Martin

Ms. Jerri DAoust, Assistant to the Provost, 865-974-9033

Serves as internal and external point-of-contact for all requests of the Provost
Manages Provost's calendar
Schedules recurring meetings, organizes Provost-sponsored meetings (COD, SAC, EMC, PSAC, SCAC, Academic Affairs, and Junior Faculty Lunches), and compiles meeting agendas
Provides administrative support for academic and administrative searches

Ms. Heather Cockrum, Executive Assistant to the Provost, 865-974-3797

Coordinates administrative workflow for Provost
Composes and edits communications from Provost's office
Serves as project manager and coordinator for Provost-sponsored events and retreats

Ms. Mindy Koon, Administrative Coordinator for Vice Provost Sally McMillan, 865-974-0684

Serves as internal and external point-of-contact for all requests of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Facilitates Academic Program Reviews and Mid-Cycle Reviews
Coordinates and supports key academic affairs committees related to the strategic plan
Manages and supports Ready for the World international and intercultural initiatives

Mr. Jason Smethers, Coordinator for Special Projects, 865-974-9574

Assists transition of courses taught through the independent study unit to semester-based online classes
Researches student expectations for online learning
Identifies campus resources that support innovative teaching and learning
Develops technology tools to support the undergraduate strategic plan
Develops recommendations for policies that support online learning and student success
Assists management of Top 25 projects

Ms. Kelly Ellenburg, Campus Coordinator of Service Learning, 865-974-9577

Serves as a central point of contact for faculty and community partners who want to engage in service-learning
Creates standardized service-learning processes for faculty, students, and community partners
Develops resources and consults with faculty to support service-learning partnerships and enable best practices
Builds capacity for service-learning on campus through cross-campus collaborations, marketing and development efforts, and communications strategies

Ms. Linda Silvers, Administrative Coordinator for Vice Provost John Zomchick, 865-974-6152

Serves as internal and external point-of-contact for all requests of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Provides support and composes appointment letters for academic searches
Facilitates promotion and tenure process
Facilitates faculty development leave process
Processes necessary support documentation for faculty retention and evaluation

Ms. Gay Henegar, Administrative Assistant to Vice Provost and Dean Carolyn Hodges and Associate Dean Joy DeSensi, 865-974-3694

Organizes Graduate School-sponsored programs such as orientiation, hooding ceremony, etc.
Serves as secretary and adminstrative support to Graduate Council and its committees
Coordinates activities of the Professional Development Award Committee
Handles most financial matters for the Graduate School and Graduate International Admissions

Ms. Connie Beatty, Administrative Support Assistant, 865-974-3578

Manages Chancellor's, Vice Chancellors', and Vice Provosts' guest traffic and phone calls
Provides administrative support to the Director of Academic Resources, including entering accounts payable, reconciling time sheets and ledgers, and preparing and entering travel
Supports and serves as back-up to other administrative assistants on the floor
Manages conference rooms and orders supplies

Ms. Tiffany Harmon, Budget Manager, 865-974-1795

Review and approve IRIS transactions
Develop, implement and manage department E&G budget
Reconcile and review ledger
Assist with HR-related matters
Manage and oversee the Chancellor's accounts payable entry and provide support for the yearly audit
Handle contracts