Tusculum College Board of Trustees extends President Moody’s Contract

Dr. Nancy B. Moody

The Tusculum College Board of Trustees voted to extend the contract of current president, Dr. Nancy B. Moody, during its meeting on Saturday, May 21.

Dr. Moody is in the second year of a three-year contract. The contract extension is for three years.

“Tusculum College is at a very exciting time in its history. I am extremely pleased to have the support of the Board of Trustees as we move together toward long-term planning, the growth of our academic programs and continued and expanded success of our graduates,” said Dr. Moody.

Dr. Kenneth A. Bowman, chair of the Board of Trustees, praised Moody’s efforts in directing the college. “Dr. Moody has already made a significant positive impact on the college with her visionary leadership, and the Board is pleased that it was able to express its appreciation for those efforts with the contract extension.”

Since assuming the college presidency in April 2009 as the first female in Tusculum’s history to hold the position, Moody has faced several challenges. She led the college through a successful reaffirmation of accreditation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)-Commission on Colleges (COC) and guided the college towards greater financial stability in a time of economic uncertainty.

Dr. Moody praised the efforts and support of Tusculum College faculty and staff noting that the key to success is having quality people working toward common goals who are constantly striving to improve.

Under Dr. Moody’s leadership, new academic programs have been offered to both students in the Residential College program and those in the Graduate and Professional Studies program for working adults. A new minor in theater arts has been established and the expansion of additional academic programs is underway.

Dr. Moody was a driving force in the beginning of the Pioneer Band and Music program which has grown to include a pep band, marching band, concert band, jazz band and handbell choir. The band programs now include more than 50 college and high school students as well as faculty, staff and members of the community.

In the Graduate and Professional Studies program, three new degree programs have been added, a bachelor of business administration degree, a bachelor of psychology degree with a concentration in behavioral health and a master of arts in teaching degree. In addition, two new degree concentrations have been created in applied information technology and financial management. The new concentrations are optional for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration or organizational management in the adult program.

Dr. Moody came to Tusculum from Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), where she served as president. She had begun her career in higher education at LMU where she served as an instructor of nursing. She subsequently served in several roles at LMU, culminating as the dean of the School of Professional Studies before joining the faculty of East Tennessee State University where she was tenured and served as department chair. She served as an associate professor at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville before returning to LMU to assume its presidency. In terms of leadership, Dr. Moody has served as executive director of the Tennessee Center of Nursing, which was funded initially through a grant that she co-authored.

She is a member of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council, the South Atlantic Conference, and an active participant on the boards of the Appalachian College Association and the Tennessee Center for Nursing, Inc. Dr. Moody is the past chair of the executive committee for the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association.