The Commission
About THEC/TSAC: Formed in 1967, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission is the state’s higher education coordinating board and is responsible for an array of duties under TCA 49-7-202:
- Administration of the outcomes-based funding formula
- Approval of all new academic degree programs
- Development of the state master plan for higher education
- Serving as the hub for postsecondary data analysis and research
- Authorization and regulation of proprietary institutions
- Serving as the state approving agency for veteran education benefits
Board Composition: The Commission is composed of nine voting members appointed from the general public, each serving six-year terms and representing the Grand Divisions of the State equally. Of these nine members, three are appointed by the General Assembly and six are appointed by the Governor. The state Constitutional Officers (Comptroller of the Treasury, State Treasurer, and Secretary of State) serve as ex-officio voting members. Additionally, one voting student member serves a one-year term and the Executive Director of the State Board of Education serves as an ex-officio non-voting member.
Tara Scarlett
Chair
Nashville (Middle Tennessee)
Tre Hargett
Vice-Chair
Secretary of State, Constitutional Officer
Mike Ragsdale
Vice-Chair
Dandridge (East Tennessee)
Whitney Allmon
Secretary
Dyersburg (West Tennessee)
Jimmy Matlock
Lenoir City
East Tennessee
Gadson W. Perry
Memphis
West Tennessee
John Rader
Nashville
Middle Tennessee
Dr. Robert Smith
Franklin
Middle Tennessee
Vernon Stafford, Jr.
Collierville
West Tennessee
Charles Wood
Chattanooga
East Tennessee
David H. Lillard, Jr.
State Treasurer
Constitutional Officer
Jason E. Mumpower
State Comptroller
Constitutional Officer
Skylar Brackett
Student Member,
East TN State University
Dr. Sara Heyburn Morrison
Executive Director, State Board of Education
Non-voting ex-officio