Annual Meeting

March 3rd, 2026

For all those who attended, thank you for your continued support!  We hope you enjoyed the networking opportunity as well as all of our exceptional speakers. We were excited to have a record number of attendees and sponsors join us for this great event!

If you missed the 2026 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 you can view the available speaker notes / slides below.

SACSCOC Update

Dr. Stephen Pruitt

Click here to download / view "SACSOC Update" Speaker Notes (PDF)

"Enhancing Value for Tennessee: The 2025-2035 Strategic Higher Education Master Plan"

Dr. Steven Gentile

Click here to download / view "Enhancing Value for Tennessee" Speaker Notes (PDF)

"Yes, We Still Need More Graduates: Evidence from the Tennessee Economy"

Dr. Don Bruce

Click here to download / view "Yes We Still Need More Graduates" Speaker Notes (PDF)

Program Schedule

March 3, 2026

8:30AM

Continental Breakfast

9:00 AM

Welcome – Dr. C. William McKee – TCA President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs – Cumberland University

9:15 AM

Business Meeting – Dr. L. Anthony Wise, Jr. – TCA Past-President, President – Pellissippi State Community College
-  Financial Report
-  Nominating Committee Report

9:30 AM

The Dr. Hal Ramer Annual Lecture – "The History and Impact of the TCATs" – Mr. James King – Former Vice Chancellor - Tennessee Board of Regents

10:00 AM

SACSCOC Update – Dr. Stephen Pruitt – SACSCOC President

10:45 AM

Break

11:00 AM

Dr. Robbie Melton – "AI in Action: Leadership and Effectiveness" – Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs – Tennessee State University

12:00 PM

Luncheon & Table Conversations Facilitator Dr. Cameron Conn – President – Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association

12:45 PM

Dr. Bill Lyons – "Constitutional Conversations" – The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs – University of Tennessee

1:15 PM

Enhancing Value for Tennessee: The 2025-2035 Strategic Higher Education Master Plan - Dr. Steven Gentile – Executive Director – Tennessee Higher Education Commission

2:00 PM

Break

2:15 PM

Dr. Don Bruce – "Yes, We Still Need More Graduates: Evidence from the Tennessee Economy" The Randy and Jenny Boyd Distinguished Professor in the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee and Director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research

3:15 PM

Closing Comments – Dr. C. William McKee – TCA President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs – Cumberland University

3:30 PM

Program Concludes

Event Photos

About The Venue

Just a 10-minute walk from Music Row, The Hilton Garden Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt is a modern downtown hotel which is 9 minutes on foot from Vanderbilt University and 1 mile from the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Summa Cum Laude Sponsors

Lewis Thomason

Lewis Thomason strives for success and integrity in all we do by providing high quality legal services, economic value to our clients, trust and respect to our employees, and a professional, enjoyable, and caring environment in each of our offices.

Tennessee Higher Education Commissions

THEC's vision is to cultivate a cohesive higher education enterprise which fosters innovative solutions to ensure student success, build strong communities, and improve the lives of Tennesseans.

Magna Cum Laude Sponsors

Austin Peay State University

With over 50 graduate and 125 undergraduate degree paths, Austin Peay is a major regional provider of higher education.

Baptist Health Sciences University

At Baptist University, you’ll acquire the skills and knowledge you need to learn, grow and succeed with a rewarding career in health care. Your future in health care starts here.

Cumberland University

We believe your college experience should be intensely personal, intellectually challenging, and full of meaningful moments. Join a community who will help you rise and reach your greatest potential.

East Tennessee State University

ETSU was founded in 1911 with a singular purpose: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond.

Middle Tennessee State University

Whether you’re starting your college journey or advancing your career, MTSU helps you discover the place where your ambition and opportunities come together. With more than 300 majors and concentrations, we're here to help prepare you for a thriving career.

Pellissippi State Community College

Pellissippi State Community College provides a transformative environment fostering the academic, social, economic and cultural enrichment of the individual and the community. We are committed to student success in workforce training and certificate and degree programs.

South College

Where Dreams Find Direction.
Since South College was founded in 1882, we have focused on serving students who want a hands-on, relevant education that can have a meaningful impact on their lives.

Southwest Tennessee Community College

At Southwest Tennessee Community College, community is our middle name. As a teaching and learning college, our students pursue associate degrees and technical certificates and engage in workforce development training to prepare them for the demands of an evolving marketplace.

Tennessee Board of Regents

The College System of Tennessee - The Tennessee Board of Regents system is the largest system of higher education in Tennessee.

Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association

TICUA engages Tennessee's private colleges and universities to work collaboratively in areas of public policy, cost containment, and professional development to better serve the state and its citizens.

Tennessee State University

Designated as a "high research" institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, Tennessee State strives for excellence in programming, offerings, and community engagement.

Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Tech produces practical, ready-to-work graduates from a broad range of academic disciplines prepared to compete in a technologically driven world.

Union University

Union University - Where Faith and Knowledge Unite.
Union University is highly ranked year after year as one of the nation's top Christian universities

University of Memphis

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee, the UofM is a major research institution. What you learn here builds a sense of intellectual engagement that will empower you to make a difference in life and throughout your career.

University of Tennessee at Martin

The University of Tennessee at Martin is a vibrant learning community that combines big-school opportunities with a friendly, small-town feel. UT Martin offers top-quality academics that gives our students the support needed to soar.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

UT has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. As Volunteers, our students and alumni continue our tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

University of Tennessee System

Quality Education and Impactful Leadership.
The University of Tennessee System - through its five campuses and two statewide institutes - is improving the lives of Tennesseans today and for future generations.

Vanderbilt University

A top-ranked teaching and research university in Nashville, Tennessee. Powered by collaboration.

Annual Meeting

April 1st, 2025

For all those who attended, thank you for your continued support!  We hope you enjoyed the networking opportunity as well as all of our exceptional speakers.

If you missed the 2025 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 you can view the speaker notes / slides below.

Click Here to download or view "Federal Shifts on Higher Education" Speaker Notes (PDF)

"The Impact of Federal Shifts on Higher Education" - Dr. Tom Harnisch

Click Here to download or view "Case for Higher Eduction" Speaker Notes (PDF)

"Making a More Effective Case for Higher Education in Today’s Challenging Climate" - Dr. Don Bruce

Photo Gallery

Program Schedule

8:30AM

• • Continental Breakfast

9:00AM

• • Welcome
    Dr. C. William McKee
    TCA President
    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs – Cumberland University

9:15AM

• • Business Meeting
    Dr. L. Anthony Wise, Jr.
    TCA Past-President
    President – Pellissippi State Community College
    • Approval of the Annual Meeting Minutes 03/26/2024
    • Financial Report
    • Suggested Bylaw Revisions
      

     

  • Nominating Committee Report
    Dr. Kim Hall
    TCA Executive Committee and Chair of the Nominating Committee
    Vice Chancellor, Institutional Advancement & Effectiveness – South College
    

9:30AM

• • The Dr. Hal Ramer Annual Lecture – "We Stand on their Shoulders: A History of Higher Education in Tennessee"
    Dr. Carole Bucy
    Distinguished University Professor – Cumberland University
    

10:00AM

• • The Impact and Power of AI in Higher Education
    Dr. Robbie Melton
    Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs & Vice President for Technology Innovations – SMART Global Technology Innovation Center – Tennessee State University 
    

10:45AM

• • Break

11:00AM

• • SACSCOC Update and Introduction of the Speaker
    Dr. Kim Hall
    Vice Chancellor, Institutional Advancement & Effectiveness – South College
    
  • "The Impact of Federal Shifts on Higher Education"
    Dr. Tom Harnisch
    the Vice President for Governmental Relations at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association

12:00PM

• • Luncheon & Table Conversations Facilitator
    Dr. Cameron Conn
    President – Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association

12:45PM

• • "Making a More Effective Case for Higher Education in Today’s Challenging Climate"
    Dr. Don Bruce
    The Randy and Jenny Boyd Distinguished Professor in the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee and Director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research

1:45PM

• • Break
    

2:00PM

• • Issues in Higher Education
    Moderator:
    Dr. Steven Gentile - Executive Director – Tennessee Higher Education Commission
    
    Panelists:
    Dr. Linda C. Martin - Chancellor – University of Tennessee Southern
    Dr. Brian Noland - President – East Tennessee State University
    Dr. Flora W. Tydings - Chancellor – Tennessee Board of Regents
    Dr. Cameron Conn - President - Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association.

3:30PM

• • • Closing Comments
      Dr. C. William McKee
      TCA President Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs – Cumberland University

About The Venue

Just a 10-minute walk from Music Row, The Hilton Garden Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt is a modern downtown hotel which is 9 minutes on foot from Vanderbilt University and 1 mile from the Country Music Hall of Fame.