KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee today named Todd Diacon as vice provost for Academic Operations, effective January 1.
Todd Diacon Diacon is currently the head of the Department of History, a position he has held since 2001.
“Dr. Diacon is an outstanding scholar and is recognized as one of the campus’ outstanding classroom teachers,” said UT Provost Robert C. Holub.
In his new position, Diacon will oversee unit reviews — the primary quality control program for the university’s academic programs — across the campus. He will also be charged with improving student retention, perseverance and graduation rates.
“[Diacon] will work closely with both academic and non-academic units to enhance the undergraduate education experience here at UT,” said Holub.
Diacon will also be involved with Ready for the World, UT’s international and intercultural awareness initiative.
“I have a great affection for, and dedication to, the students, faculty and staff of the University of Tennessee,” said Diacon. “As such, it is a significant honor to be involved in the leadership of this great university, and I look forward to contributing especially to undergraduate excellence on our campus.”
Diacon joined the UT faculty in 1989 as an assistant professor of history. He has served as the director of the university’s Brazil summer study abroad program, as well as the director of UT’s Latin American studies program from 1996 to 2001. Since 2004, Diacon has also served as the university’s NCAA faculty athletics representative.
A scholar of Brazilian history, Diacon earned his bachelor’s degree from Southwestern College and went on to earn his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in Latin American History. His second book, “Stringing Together A Nation,” won the 2005 Warren Dean Prize for the best book on Brazilian history published in the previous year.
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Contacts:
Jay Mayfield (865-974-9409, jay.mayfield@tennessee.edu)
Tom Milligan (865-974-9438, tom.milligan@tennessee.edu)