KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee has named two new assistant vice presidents for its statewide Institute for Public Service (IPS).
“The assistant vice presidents will move the university’s public service and outreach efforts forward as we work toward our long-term objectives to boost economic growth, assist elected officials and apply university research to needs in Tennessee’s communities and workplaces,” said Mary Jinks, UT vice president of public service, in announcing the selections.
IPS is comprised of four principal agencies that serve cities, counties, industries and law enforcement by providing training and consultation.
Chuck Shoopman will be responsible for two of those agencies — the Center for Industrial Services (CIS) and the Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC) — and the economic development programs of IPS. Shoopman has more than 25 years experience in public service and economic development at UT and with the Tennessee Valley Authority. His appointment is effective Oct. 1.
Karen Holt will join IPS in December and will be responsible for the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) and IPS’ leadership and executive development programs. Currently director of the Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia, Holt’s UT history includes prior service as UT’s associate general counsel. She has served as executive director for the nonprofit organization Project Pericles, led the University of Virginia’s Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and has experience as an attorney with the Civil and Civil Rights Divisions of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
Shoopman and Holt will address the long-term planning needs for the agencies and programs, serve as advocates for IPS with university, state and national leaders, and increase stakeholders’ awareness of the impact of IPS services.
In fiscal year 2008, IPS answered more than 23,000 requests for assistance from government, law enforcement and business officials in Tennessee.
The economic impact of these activities exceeded $1 billion as local governments and industries increased revenue, won contracts or reduced operating costs. Training and consultation provided by the institute enabled employers to create or retain nearly 20,000 jobs for Tennesseans.
More than 19,000 people took advantage of university expertise through IPS training courses, logging more than 140,000 hours of training.
IPS has 10 offices and nearly 200 employees across the state and is an entity of the university system.
—
Contact:
Queena Jones, (865) 974-1533, queena.jones@tennessee.edu