Dr. Stephanie Kolitsch has undertaken the role of the transitional provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin, effective June 14, as announced in a university-wide email and reported by UT Martin News. The notification arrived from Dr. Yancy Freeman, the Chancellor of UT Martin.
Kolitsch assumes the role once more as Dr. Philip Cavalier departs to serve as president at Kutztown University, Pennsylvania. She previously held an interim provost position during the 2023 search for a UT Martin Chancellor, indicating a measured, yet insightful precedent for this transition. A nationwide quest for a permanent provost is slated to commence on July 1, marking the formal advertisement of the vacancy.
In a statement that resonates with clarity, Dr. Freeman highlighted Kolitsch's attributes that render her suitably poised for the position: "Faculty and staff consistently recognize her for clear communication, structured problem-solving that considers both policy and human impact, and a student-centered approach to decision-making." He also pointed out her record of earning "widespread campus support,” reflecting her collaborative and equitable leadership style.
A mathematician by trade, Kolitsch's appointment brings a lengthy tenure at the university into a new chapter. Joining UT Martin in 1994 after completing her academic journey at East Texas State University and the University of Texas, Kolitsch brings a legacy of academic rigor to a role that shapes the very fabric of the institution. Her past work, which includes leading the university’s reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as well as developing significant self-study projects, lays a solid foundation for her ability to guide the campus through its transitional phase.
Expressing her outlook on the appointment, Kolitsch shared her intentions to harness her predecessor’s momentum: "Dr. Cavalier is leaving a legacy of growth that includes new programs, increased enrollment and retention, and better overall experiences for our students," she said. "I am looking forward to continuing the work he started and finding new ways to support our students and the institution."
