51ÉçÇø

Michele Atkins (’89) joined the faculty at 51ÉçÇø in 1998 after serving 9 years in P-12 public education as a teacher and administrator. In her role as Assistant Provost for Accreditation and Research at 51ÉçÇø, Atkins supervises the institution’s SACSCOC accreditation processes including guidance for policy and procedures, oversight for daily decision making, leadership for the reaffirmation cycle, and support for discipline-specific accreditation activities throughout the university. Most recently, she led the institution through its decennial reaffirmation process, resulting in affirmation of accreditation through 2027, and a substantive acquisition of a non-SACSCOC accredited entity under the institution’s accreditation. In addition, Atkins chairs 51ÉçÇø’s Institutional Review Board, oversees federal reporting of institutional data, and is responsible for the University’s institutional effectiveness process. In addition to her institutional service, Atkins has served the education profession in various ways throughout her career including membership on the SACSCOC Board of Trustees, and membership on peer-review SACSCOC reaffirmation committees throughout the Southeast. She is former vice chairperson of the Milan Special School District Board of Education, and former member of the Tennessee Department of Education Textbook Commission appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen. Atkins is a licensed school psychologist and consults with local school districts to provide services. Atkins has several refereed publications and has presented research at the national and international levels. Her research interests include pedagogy, assessment of student learning, data-informed decision making, policy and governance in higher education, emotional intelligence, and leadership.