News Summary
Dr. Lori Mann Bruce has made history by becoming the first female chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her appointment was approved by the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, and she officially takes office in 2025. Currently serving as provost at Tennessee Technological University, Bruce has significantly improved academic outcomes and research funding during her tenure. With nearly three decades of experience in higher education, her leadership is expected to enhance UTC’s role as a regional education leader.
Chattanooga
Dr. Lori Mann Bruce has been appointed as the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), making history as the first woman to hold this prestigious position. The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approved her appointment during a special meeting on June 16, and she will officially take office on June 30, 2025.
Currently, Bruce serves as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tennessee Technological University. In this role, she oversees academic operations for over 10,000 students across eight colleges and has demonstrated significant achievements in enhancing educational quality and research funding at Tennessee Tech.
Achievements and Experience
During her tenure at Tennessee Tech, Dr. Bruce led the institution to a remarkable milestone by achieving a perfect academic program quality score from the state—something that had not occurred in over 40 years. She played a crucial role in increasing the annual research funding of the university from $16 million to more than $46 million. Moreover, under her leadership, multiple new academic programs at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels were launched, and significant improvements totaling over $350 million were made to campus infrastructure.
Dr. Bruce is also known for her initiatives in faculty development and compensation. She established the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence and conducted a comprehensive campus-wide compensation study that resulted in increased salaries for faculty and staff.
Selecting the New Chancellor
The selection of Dr. Bruce came after a national search led by UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman, involving input from faculty, staff, students, and representatives from the community. In a public forum, Bruce expressed her commitment to fostering student success and leading with a mission-focused vision. With nearly three decades of experience in higher education, her previous roles include important positions at Mississippi State University.
Academic Background
Dr. Bruce holds a Ph.D. and a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, along with a master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology. These academic credentials have equipped her with a robust foundation for guiding UTC as it continues to progress.
Community and Leadership Support
Her appointment drew commendation from numerous leaders, including Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, who emphasized the vital role of strong universities in the development of great cities. Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley of UTC and UT System President Randy Boyd praised Bruce’s extensive leadership experience and her visionary outlook for the university’s future.
Financial Package
Dr. Bruce will receive an annual salary of $450,000, along with a housing allowance and a one-time moving allowance as she transitions into her new role. In comparison, her predecessor, Steve Angle, had an annual base salary of $422,039.
Looking Ahead
Community leaders, including Mayor Kelly, have expressed excitement about collaborating with Dr. Bruce to enhance UTC’s position as a regional education and research leader. With her extensive background and proven track record in academic leadership, anticipation grows for the positive changes and advancements she will bring to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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Additional Resources
- News Channel 9
- Chattanooga Pulse
- Times Free Press
- WDEF
- UTC Echo
- Wikipedia: Lori Mann Bruce
- Google Search: University of Tennessee Chattanooga
- Google Scholar: Lori Mann Bruce
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University of Tennessee
- Google News: Lori Mann Bruce
