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Division of Student Success Announces Second Cohort of Faculty Advisory Council

The second cohort of the Student Success Faculty Advisory Council convened in late September for orientation and to outline objectives for their term.

Comprised of faculty from various academic areas, the council supports the Division of Student Success and its mission to enhance the academic, well-being and career experience of undergraduate students. With new graduation and persistence goals as well as a new divisional strategic plan, the advisory council will help shape priorities to create an unparalleled student experience at the University of Tennessee.

Fifteen faculty will serve a two-year term to provide comprehensive feedback on the division’s initiatives and engage the university community. Vice Provost for Student Success Amber Williams chairs the council.

“Faculty are essential partners in the mission of student success,” said Williams. “Our goal is to align with our faculty and leverage the critical work they do in connecting with our scholars and creating a campus culture where they can thrive.”

The following faculty serve on the 2025-2027 Student Success Faculty Advisory Council:

  • Mike Berry, Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Tickle College of Engineering
  • Joshua Bienko, Associate Professor, School of Art, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Tova Holmes, Assistant Professor, Physics & Astronomy, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Emily Homolka, Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian, Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives
  • Miro Hristov, Area Coordinator of Strings and Professor, Natalie L. Haslam College of Music
  • Bill Lyons, Professor Emeritus and Associate Director for Community Outreach for the Institute of American Civics, Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs
  • Jules Morris, Assistant Professor of Practice, Marketing, Haslam College of Business
  • Tracey Norrell, Teaching Professor, Geography and Sustainability, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Drew Paul, Associate Professor, World Languages and Culture, College of Arts & Sciences
  • Ashley Pennell, Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Social Work
  • Shannon Scovel, Assistant Professor, School of Journalism & Media, College of Communication & Information
  • Andrew Sherfy, Distinguished Lecturer, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, Herbert College of Agriculture
  • Heeyeon Son, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing
  • Kirsten Widner, Assistant Professor, Political Science, College of Arts & Science
  • Kimberly Wolbers, Professor, Theory & Practice in Teacher Education, College of Education, Health & Human Sciences
  • Milagros Zingoni Phielipp, Professor and Director of the School of Interior Architecture, College of Architecture and Design

During its initial meeting, council members reviewed the division’s top priorities and goals as well as key metrics and ongoing initiatives that will influence the group’s work.

The council will meet quarterly with Vice Provost Williams and other division leaders, including Chief Strategy Officer Virginia Stormer and Associate Vice Provost Patrick Biddix.

“The council plays a critical role in providing feedback on student success initiatives to ensure the work we do aligns with their work in and out of the classroom,” said Stormer. “I am so excited about the energy and enthusiasm this new group brought to our first meeting and the clear passion they each have for supporting the success of our students.”

The council’s first cohort, which served from 2023 to 2025, focused on Vol Edge, the division’s career preparedness program, as well as the integration of the Salesforce platform. Additionally, they provided constructive feedback and guidance on the new University Honors curriculum and student Pulse surveys.

The 2025-2027 advisory council will focus on the following:

  • Expanding on-campus experiential learning opportunities,
  • Implementing the Quality Enhancement Plan, and
  • Achieving the new four-year and six-year graduation rates.

“As educators, we are invested in our students’ success in our classroom. As the director of a school, I am committed to the success of my community of learners,” says Professor Milagros Zingoni, director of the School of Interior Architecture within the College of Architecture and Design. “Being part of the Student Success faculty council allows me the opportunity to think holistically and broadly about how we can leverage all our resources to support our Vol Community. In my short time in the council, I have learned more than I gave. It has been refreshing! I look forward to how we can keep designing students’ opportunities towards their bright futures.”