GREENEVILLE – Sheryl Burnette, a 35-year higher education professional with 20 years of management experience, has been named registrar of Tusculum University, her alma mater.
Sheryl Burnette
Burnette returns to Tusculum in June after successfully serving as registrar for East Tennessee State University since 2007. She led a 20-member team that was responsible for the long-term planning, administration, maintenance and monitoring of university academic records. She also played an integral role in student performance monitoring, NCAA academic eligibility determination, curriculum maintenance and catalog production.
“We are grateful we have found another exceptional leader in Sheryl, who has a proven track record of quality results and extensive knowledge of higher education,” said Dr. James Hurley, Tusculum’s president. “As we continue to grow our offerings, Sheryl’s expertise will ensure our registrar’s office functions at a high level and serves our students, faculty and staff efficiently and effectively. She will be an outstanding member of our team as we advance to the next level of excellence.”
Prior to joining the ETSU leadership team, Burnette was a member of the Pellissippi State Community College staff for 23 years. She served as registrar for the last five years, overseeing a team of 12 people. Earlier, she served as manager of records and articulation for four years, a graduation analyst for 11 years and a records clerk for three years.
“The registrar’s office is vital in helping students stay on a path toward graduation and achieve success in their chosen fields,” said Dr. Lisa Johnson, Tusculum’s associate vice president of academic affairs. “We are pleased to have someone of Sheryl’s caliber at the helm of our registrar’s office and know she will be a valued partner of other university departments.”
Burnette graduated from Tusculum in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational management and in 2006 with a Master of Arts in education, with a human resource development concentration. She said she will be a champion for Tusculum students, faculty, staff and the community as the university’s registrar.
“I am a proud Tusculum alumna and am honored to return as the university celebrates its milestone 225th anniversary,” she said. “Tusculum is an extraordinary university, and I look forward to working hand in hand with my tremendous colleagues throughout the university to make a positive difference for our students. This is an exciting time to serve at Tusculum, and I am grateful to be given this wonderful opportunity.”