Dr. Michael Sundblad, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Nashville State Community College, is stepping into a pivotal role in shaping the educational leadership landscape of Tennessee. Sundblad has been selected for the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Chancellor’s Fellowship for the 2025–26 academic year, as one of the ten esteemed individuals in its initial cohort. This fellowship is part of a broader initiative, the Maxine Smith Leadership Series, tailored to develop leaders within the community and technical college system of the state.
The fellowship is set to begin in June with an orientation session and will see the participants come together monthly throughout the upcoming academic year. TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings stated, "Leadership development is one of our major responsibilities to ensure the success of our students in the years ahead, and I’m confident that members of this first class will light the path for the ones to follow – as Maxine Smith did in so many ways," according to Nashville State Community College's announcement.
Joining Sundblad in the fellowship are faculty and staff from various institutions across Tennessee, including Stephanie Barham from Northeast State Community College, Corey Campbell from Cleveland State Community College, and others. This diverse group represents a cross-section of the state's commitment to elevating educational leaders who have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to student success and innovation in higher education.
Dr. Sundblad's selection has been met with pride and support from his colleagues. "His participation not only honors his contributions to Nashville State but also strengthens its role in continuing to shape the future of higher education in Tennessee," Dr. Jo Williams, the vice president of academic affairs and workforce development at Nashville State, expressed. The Chancellor’s Fellowship, along with the forthcoming Emerging Leaders Fellowship and Faculty Innovation Fellowship, aims to nurture a tradition of excellence and visionary thinking within the academic leaders of Tennessee's colleges.
This new leadership series honors Maxine Smith, a former member of the Tennessee Board of Regents and a tireless advocate for educational opportunity. The fellowship program bearing her name seeks to carry forward her legacy by empowering a new generation of leaders to similarly make an indelible impact in the sphere of education.
