Recruit, retain, and develop top faculty and staff to be the best-in-class institute.
Aspire to be a destination of choice for top performing faculty and staff from recruitment forward.
Strategies and Actions
UTIA will provide the needed infrastructure to attract quality candidates.
- Increase the quality of candidates applying for both faculty and staff positions.
- Improve compliance with the completion of the six-month probation assessment for staff.
- Increase the percentage of faculty promoted and tenured.
- Develop a process and toolbox to assist faculty with spousal accommodations and employment opportunities in the region.
- Create a process that tracks the time to fill positions.
- Decrease pay gap between market rates vs. actual.
UTIA will establish opportunities for faculty and staff growth.
- Increase the number of employees engaged in active individual development plans.
- Develop opportunities and a pathway for succession planning within UTIA.
- Establish a UTIA leadership program for mid-level leaders.
Highlights and Success
Outstanding Students, Faculty and Staff Recognized at UT Honors Banquets
Awards presented at the two banquets honor individuals who embody the Volunteer spirit by excelling in research and creative work, significantly impacting campus culture and demonstrating outstanding leadership and service to UT and the broader community.
UT AgResearch Appoints New Associate Dean of Field Operations
Blake Brown, director of the University of Tennessee’s AgResearch and Education Center at Milan, will take on a new role with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture as associate dean of field operations for UT AgResearch.
UTIA Researcher Received Award from the Soil and Water Conservation Society
Sindhu Jagadamma, associate professor of soil science, received the Soil and Water Conservation Society’s 2025 Conservation Research Award at the society’s annual conference in August.
UTIA Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2025
The highest honor awarded annually by UTIA is the Charles E. Wharton Institute Professor Award, and this year the title goes to Niki Labbé, professor in the School of Natural Resources.