Dr. Blair Henley named vice president of information systems and chief technology officer

Dr. Blair Ferrell Henley has been named vice president of information systems and chief technology officer at Tusculum College.

He brings to Tusculum nearly 14 years of computer and systems experience, most recently serving as the director of technology for the Niswonger Foundation’s Northeast Tennessee College and Career Ready Consortium (NETCO) and as career and technical education supervisor at the Bristol Tennessee City School System. Through his work with NETCO, Dr. Henley directed the implementation of the technology infrastructure required in 29 high schools across Northeast Tennessee to support the goals of Investing in Innovation (i3) Grant. In addition, he designed the online course interface and learning management system used to produce the web-based curriculum used in the 29 high schools.

He will begin his new duties at Tusculum College on July 5.

“Tusculum College is ready to move forward with our vision to fully integrate technology into all aspects of the college experience,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of the college. “Dr. Henley brings not only technical expertise, but the ability to create a vision and put together the plan to bring it to reality.”

Dr. Henley has prior experience in developing online academic programs and has been very successful at other organizations in securing grant dollars for a variety of programs.

In his new position at Tusculum College, Dr. Henley will be responsible for the planning and oversight of installation and maintenance of all information systems including support of faculty, staff, students and administration at all sites and campuses of Tusculum College in both academic and non-academic functions. In addition, he will assist with the cultivation of resources to secure needed financial support for technology to support the academic programs and student success to prepare graduates who are better equipped to launch into their chosen careers.

At the Bristol City School System, Dr. Henley was responsible for the Career and Technical Education program. He was also responsible for the design and implementation of the Distance Education program, including online curriculum development and facilitation, as well as distance learning through video conferencing.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in education from East Tennessee State University and earned his master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. In 2009, he completed his doctoral work in educational leadership and policy analysis at East Tennessee State University.

Dr. Henley has served as an adjunct faculty member for East Tennessee State University since 2008 and has previously worked as a systems engineer at Intellithought Inc., in Kingsport. He is president of the Northeast Tennessee Technology Educators Association and is a charter member of the Tennessee Distance Learning Association.

He was awarded the Perkins Reserve grant in both 2009 and 2011, which he utilized to implement a dual enrollment program via a web-based curriculum this year and to implement distance education programs in 2009.

He has been a distance learning and e-learning presenter at numerous events across the state, including the Northeast Tennessee Technology Educators Association Conference and the Niswonger Symposium of Education Excellence.

Henley fills a newly-created position in the Office of Information Systems. He brings with him funding from the i3 grant received by the Niswonger Foundation earlier this year, where he will continue to serve as Director of Technology.  The i3 grant is a five-year, $21 million grant to the Niswonger Foundation to establish the Northeast Tennessee College and Career Ready Consortium, which serves approximately 26,100 high school students in Northeast Tennessee.