Dr. Melinda Dukes has been named interim vice president of academic affairs at Tusculum College, officials announced today.
She will begin her new duties at Tusculum College on August 6.
Dr. Dukes previously served as professor of psychology and associate vice president for academic affairs and has taught at Tusculum since 1989. She was one of the professors involved in the development and implementation of the focused calendar and commons curriculum that is part of the uniqueness of the Tusculum experience today.
“Dr. Dukes has served Tusculum College with distinction for many years, and I have complete confidence in her ability to lead the academic side of the institution as we consider permanent leadership in this critical position,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College.
Dr. Melinda Dukes
Dr. Dukes is an administrator and a long-time faculty member, and she has a variety of interests including community-based research, college student persistence and social/civic engagement. She has recently presented a paper on student persistence at the Southeastern Psychological Association annual conference and organized an undergraduate research thread for the Appalachian College Association’s Summit conference.
“Much of what I have been able to achieve at Tusculum is attributed to the fine faculty and staff members with whom I work. I appreciate the opportunity to work with faculty, staff and students, as this allows me to learn and grow in service to Tusculum and her students,” said Dr. Dukes.
In her new role, Dr. Dukes will be responsible for facilitating academic affairs strategic planning goals and providing leadership as new academic programs are implemented.
“Tusculum College is in a time of significant academic growth, and I look forward to being a part of the team as we explore new and exciting opportunities for students and the community,” said Dukes.
During her time at Tusculum she has had a tremendous impact on both academic programs and administrative operations. She has led efforts to align the experiential education units at the college, including Career Development, the Center for Civic Advancement and the institution’s Quality Enhancement Plan focused on Problem-solving with Reflective Judgment.
She led the Strategic Planning Committee for Block Plan Enhancement and led the Information Services strategic visioning process. Over the past few years, Dr. Dukes has succeeded in increasing enrollment and institutional revenue at the college through the reformulation of its summer school programs.
She has led the development and implementation of new academic programs and was instrumental in the recent success of Tusculum College in achieving reaffirmation of accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC). Dr. Dukes has also been a SACS-COC on-site peer evaluator.
Dr. Dukes has served as a member of the President’s Cabinet at Tusculum College since 2006. She previously served as interim provost and academic vice president in 2006. She is a program committee member and a peer reviewer for the Southeastern Psychological Association Annual Conference.
She received the Tusculum College National Alumni Recognition Award in 2006 and the Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award in 2001. She also received the Women of Achievement Award in 1983 from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Dukes has a bachelor’s degree in education from Clemson University and earned her master’s degree and doctorate, both in psychology, from the University of Tennessee. In addition, she has completed the Higher Education Resource Services Certificate Class at the Bryn Mawr Summer Institute in 2008 as a Mellon Scholarship Recipient for continuing education in higher education leadership and administration.