UT President Randy Boyd Names Interim Chancellor for UT Chattanooga

University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd has appointed Dr. Robert Dooley as interim chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Dooley, who will assume the role Jan. 1, is a longtime leader at UTC and a proud alumnus of the university.

Dooley earned a B.A. in religion/philosophy and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from UTC. He holds a Ph.D. in business administration with a focus on strategic management from UT Knoxville. Dooley has served as dean of the UTC College of Business since July 1, 2011, following his tenure as associate dean for graduate programs and research at Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business.

“Dr. Dooley’s exceptional leadership and his deep understanding of UTC’s culture make him an outstanding choice to guide the university during this transition,” Boyd said. “His proven success in developing a nationally recognized College of Business and strong relationships within the community will help maintain momentum as we look toward the future.”

The UT Board of Trustees has scheduled a virtual Executive Committee meeting for Nov. 20 to discuss the search process for the next permanent chancellor, with plans to launch a national search in January. UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman will lead the search committee. Freeman’s strong connection to and deep knowledge of UTC will provide valuable guidance in the search.

The university expects to select a search firm by the end of the year, with finalist interviews planned on campus in spring 2025.

About the University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service. The UT System manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through its UT-Battelle partnership; enrolls about 62,000 students statewide; produces about 14,000 new graduates every year; and represents more than 454,000 alumni around the world.