GREENEVILLE – Dr. Tricia Hunsader, who has demonstrated excellent leadership and fostered growth during her three years at Tusculum University, has been named the institution’s provost and vice president of academic affairs.
Dr. Tricia Hunsader
This latest advancement in her successful higher education career will be seamless for Dr. Hunsader, who has served in this position with distinction in an interim capacity since September. She will oversee all academic programs and collaborate with university leaders who enhance students’ personal and social development.
“Dr. Hunsader has performed exceptionally at Tusculum and has intimate knowledge of Tusculum’s strengths and opportunities,” said Dr. Greg Nelson, the university’s acting president. “She is an integral member of our leadership team who will provide insight and guidance to our Executive Cabinet and the Board of Trustees. As a longtime faculty member and administrator in higher education, she will also be a valued mentor for everyone at Tusculum.”
Since she joined the Tusculum family in summer 2016, Dr. Hunsader has served as dean of the College of Education, supervising more than 50 faculty and staff members and managing its finances. During her time, the College of Education has created the Master of Arts in sport administration and has nearly doubled enrollment in teacher education programs.
She will continue to serve as College of Education dean until Tusculum selects a successor.
Dr. Hunsader is president-elect of the Tennessee Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and is a member of the Tennessee Department of Education Educator Preparation Work Group. She has also served on Tusculum’s Dean’s Council.
Before she joined Tusculum, Dr. Hunsader served at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee, from 2006-2016 as a visiting assistant professor, assistant professor, associate professor and associate director of the College of Education. She was president of the university’s Faculty Senate from 2015-2016 and was president-elect and vice president of the University of South Florida System Faculty Council from 2014-2016.
In addition, Dr. Hunsader was chairwoman of the USF Sarasota-Manatee’s Quality Enhancement Plan steering committee from 2014-2016 and executive director and associate director of the university’s Center for Partnerships for Arts Integrated Teaching from 2012-2014.
Earlier in her career, she was a visiting instructor from 2005-2006 and a graduate assistant from 2001-2005 at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Before that, she taught in elementary school and high school.
“Serving in education for the last 23 years has been a fulfilling experience that has enabled me to build a strong connection with students and colleagues,” Dr. Hunsader said. “I am grateful to Tusculum for giving me opportunities for additional professional growth. Tusculum is an exceptional institution, and I will work side by side with the university family to achieve our academic and student development goals that will further position us as a leader in education.”
Dr. Hunsader has co-written two books and written or co-written three book chapters, and she has been published multiple times in research journals and other professional publications.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in finance and her Master of Arts in elementary education from USF, Sarasota-Manatee, and her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from USF in Tampa.
As a dedicated community servant, she has made numerous mission trips to Cambodia and most recently helped found Hope for Cambodia, which raises funds for orphan care, kindergarten through sixth grade education for orphan and village children and high school tutoring.