May 7, 2020

Tennessee’s Dr. Matthew Theriot to Chair SEC Academic Leadership Development Program

By: SEC Staff
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

Dr. Matthew Theriot, Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Tennessee, has been appointed Chair of the Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program (SEC ALDP), the SEC announced Thursday.

As associate provost, Dr. Theriot directs Tennessee’s Teaching and Learning Innovation (TLI), which serves as the university’s home for faculty and educational development as well as online and e-learning program development; coordinates campus leadership programs; and leads faculty engagement and diversity initiatives on behalf of the chancellor and provost. He also remains an active member of the faculty as a Professor of Social Work.

“I’m excited to have been appointed chair,” Dr. Theriot said. “The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program has been an important part of my SEC experience for a long time. I remember applying in 2009 to be a Fellow and not being selected [by my university]. I applied the next year and had a wonderful experience. This feels like I’ve come full circle.”

The chair of the SEC ALDP serves a two-year term and is selected by the full group of liaisons, who are each appointed by the provost and function as the primary campus contact for the SEC ALDP. The chair is responsible for leading liaison meetings, delivering the SEC ALDP goals presentation at SEC-wide workshops and serving as a champion for the program locally and across the Conference.

“It was no surprise to me that the liaisons identified Matthew as our next program chair,” said Dr. Torie A. Johnson, SEC Associate Commissioner for Academic Relations. “Not only is he a former fellow turned campus liaison, but the University of Tennessee recently hosted an immensely successful SEC workshop. We are thrilled to be able to work with him and know he will lead well during challenging days.”

The SEC ALDP seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. It has three components, a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants (i.e., fellows); two SEC-wide three-day workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants; and a competitive fellowship designed to provide administrative growth opportunities for former fellows.

“To have the trust and respect of the other liaisons to take on this role is special,” Dr. Theriot said. “I’m looking forward to playing a part and working through conversations with my colleagues and the provosts to enrich the program.”

Click here to learn more about Dr. Matthew Theriot.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Matthew Theriot is no longer serving as the University of Tennessee SEC ALDP liaison or program chair due to a change in duties.