Stories @ TCAT

Tennessee Board of Regents appoints Debbie J. Petree as director of Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jacksboro

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 30, 2016) -- The Tennessee Board of Regents voted unanimously today (Tuesday) to appoint Debbie J. Petree as director of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jacksboro.

TBR Chancellor David Gregory recommended Petree’s appointment following a five-month search by a 14-member search advisory committee composed of Board of Regents members, campus and community representatives and chaired by Regent Danni Varlan of Knoxville. The committee received and reviewed 26 applications for the position.

Petree has been interim director of the Jacksboro campus since the retirement of former Director David Browder in July 2015.  She was TCAT-Jacksboro’s assistant director since joining its staff in July 2008. Her earlier professional experience includes workforce director and program administrator at East Tennessee Human Resource Agency, senior case manager, training specialist and adjunct faculty member at Roane State Community College, and office skills instructor at the Anderson County Career and Technical Center.

The full Board of Regents met in a special called session today to consider the appointment. Regent Varlan, who made the motion to approve the chancellor’s recommendation, told fellow board members that Petree’s work for more than a year as interim director distinguished her, including working with faculty and getting out into the community. Her appointment as director is effective Sept. 1.

As interim director of the Jacksboro campus, she implemented new programs in pharmacy technology and cosmetology, revised and reopened the power sports technology program and led the staff in writing a new strategic plan for the college.

Petree expressed appreciation to the board. “It’s an exciting time to be involved in higher education and workforce development. The director is but one person on a team that truly makes a difference in the lives of our students and I’m excited to be part of that team,” she said.

Dr. James King, TBR vice chancellor for the TCATS, said "Director Petree has served energetically as the interim director and I know she will continue this energy and vision as the official director. I look for great things from Debbie and her staff in the future."

Petree has completed coursework and is working on her dissertation for a Doctorate in Education Executive Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. She holds a PhD. in Business Administration from Kennedy-Western University, and a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Organizational Management from Tusculum College.

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•   About the TBR: 
The Tennessee Board of Regents is among the nation’s largest higher education systems, with 46 post-secondary educational institutions. The TBR system currently includes six universities, 13 community colleges and 27 colleges of applied technology, providing programs across the state to nearly 200,000 students. 

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