GREENEVILLE – A 21-year professional with experience in the classroom and in high-level collegiate positions has been named dean of academic operations and the Education Division at Tusculum University.
Dr. Sarah Hartman
Dr. Sarah Hartman will serve as a member of Tusculum’s Office of Academic Affairs leadership team and work closely with the university’s provost, other deans and faculty members to achieve the institution’s goals. She will lead in areas such as course scheduling, faculty workload management and credentialing, operational budgets and academic policies and procedures.
She will also lead the Education Division, which prepares students for bachelor’s and master’s degrees that empower them to succeed in the classroom and in administrative positions. She will oversee the faculty and curriculum development and collaborate with local school systems and other partners to strengthen the division.
“Tusculum University’s storied history as Tennessee’s oldest institution of higher education and its pioneering spirit were immediate draws for me,” Dr. Hartman said. “I admire the university’s commitment to the civic arts, which treats education not just as a path to a career but also as a foundation for effective citizenship. The opportunity to serve in a leadership role within a division that prioritizes a caring Christian environment while pushing the boundaries of academic innovation is exactly where I want to be for the next chapter of my career.”
Dr. Hartman brings multiple skills to her positions. She has developed strong relationships with K-12 school systems, state legislatures and local industries. She is focused on the university’s mission through strategic planning, civic engagement and oversight of finances in the areas she oversees.
Her track record of successfully supervising complex graduate programs and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration also position her to excel at Tusculum. She is well-versed in workforce and economic development, faculty and staff leadership and accreditation and compliance.
Dr. Hartman comes to Tusculum with the following higher education service background:
- Dean of the School of Education and Graduate Studies at Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska, for the last year
- Dean of the Don A. Williams School of Education at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, for five years
- Chair of the College of Education at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee, for three years
- Director of field experiences at the College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick, Georgia, for seven years
Beforehand, Dr. Hartman served in elementary education for five years in Alabama. She taught in the classroom and was school technology coordinator, a member of the school leadership team and chair of the school’s accreditation committee for the state’s Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
During her services in higher education, she has also provided support for learning in junior high schools and elementary schools.
“When we look at Dr. Hartman’s career, we see consistently excellent outcomes that have resulted her in being entrusted with positions of increasing importance,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “She is a great leader, who will work effectively with stakeholders across the university to further elevate our university’s quality. We are excited to watch her imprint on Tusculum as she leads multiple functions that are vital to our academic operations.”
Addressing the Education Division, Dr. Hartman is particularly impressed with the Master of Arts in Education program, calling it a regional powerhouse. Her No. 1 goal for the division is to build upon Tusculum’s reputation for Pioneer Ready graduates through additional innovative teaching technologies and practices.
“I am particularly interested in expanding our support for first-generation students and nontraditional learners, ensuring that our pathways to licensure remain accessible and high-impact,” Dr. Hartman said. “I also welcome the opportunity to develop even stronger partnerships with regional K-12 schools and the local community to ensure our citizen-scholars continue to meet our community’s workforce needs.”
In addition to her stewardship of the Education Division as dean, Dr. Hartman will maintain a connection to the classroom by teaching courses. She will serve as professor of education, continuing a career in which she has taught classes while handling administrative responsibilities.
Dr. John Alpers, dean of the School of Business, Education and Sport, said Dr. Hartman’s résumé demonstrates she will bring a wealth of experience and expertise that will benefit Tusculum greatly. He said she is a perfect fit to attain many of his aspirations for the Education Division.
“She has the drive and skill set to help us enhance and maintain strategic academic excellence in all of our education programs,” Dr. Alpers said. “Teaming with the Office of Admission, she will bolster our recruitment and enrollment. She will enhance student success and belonging, strengthen the Christian foundation and develop strategic leadership for the division. I am confident our Education Division will thrive under her tutelage.”
As she reflects on all of the attributes of a Tusculum education, Dr. Hartman highlights the university’s holistic approach to student achievement. That is evident in the one-on-one connection with students, which fosters their development in more than academics.
“This method ensures that our graduates are not only technically proficient but also emotionally and socially prepared for leadership,” she said. “From an academic perspective, our focus on active and experiential learning is a major differentiator. For example, the education program doesn’t just teach theory. It also facilitates early clinical placements that prepare our students for the realities of the classroom long before they graduate. Tusculum wisely employs hands-on learning throughout the academic enterprise because it is a game-changer for students.”
Dr. Hartman has a bachelor’s in child and family development from San Diego State University; a master’s in elementary education, K-8, from Alabama State University; and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction for elementary education from the University of Alabama.
More information about the education program and other elements of the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.