Lincoln Memorial University is led by a group of passionate leaders dedicated to the success of every person in the LMU community. Learn more about LMU leadership and the President below!
Lincoln Memorial University is led by a group of passionate leaders dedicated to the success of every person in the LMU community. Learn more about LMU leadership and the President below!
Dr. Jason McConnell, President of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), exemplifies a paradigm of visionary leadership in the realm of higher education. With a tenure exceeding two decades, Dr. McConnell's career at LMU, commencing in 2001, has been a testament to his progressive and strategic approach in the academic sector.
Dr. McConnell embarked on his journey at LMU in the Information Technology department, where his aptitude for innovative solutions rapidly became evident. He initially assumed the role of Network Systems Administrator, distinguishing himself through significant enhancements in the university's technological infrastructure. Advancing to the position of Director of Medical Information Technology, Dr. McConnell was instrumental in transforming the technological landscape for LMU’s medical and health sciences programs, showcasing his ability to merge technical expertise with educational needs.
Elevating to the pivotal role of Chief Technology Officer and, subsequently, Chief Information Officer, Dr. McConnell orchestrated substantial advancements in technology across the university. His strategic vision in these roles was not merely focused on technological evolution but also on fostering an interconnected academic environment, thereby enhancing the educational experience.
Demonstrating his multifaceted leadership, Dr. McConnell then transitioned to significant administrative roles. His tenure as Interim Executive Vice President for Finance, followed by his position as Assistant Vice President for Finance, was characterized by astute financial stewardship and strategic foresight. These roles underscored his ability to guide the institution through complex financial landscapes while maintaining a steadfast focus on growth and sustainability.
In his recent capacity as the Senior Executive Vice President of the University, Dr. McConnell has been the driving force behind several transformative initiatives. He has been integral to the establishment and growth of major LMU programs, including the LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, LMU Duncan School of Law, LMU-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine, and the LMU-College of Dental Medicine. Collaborating closely with the founding deans, his visionary planning and integration of state-of-the-art technologies have been pivotal in elevating these professional degree programs' pedagogical and learning landscapes.
Academically, Dr. McConnell is well-grounded with a Doctorate of Business Administration, an MBA, and a Bachelor of Science, all attained from LMU. His educational background is a cornerstone of his comprehensive understanding and approach to academic administration.
Residing in his hometown of Rose Hill, Virginia, with his wife, Beth, and their two sons, Seth and Ross, Dr. McConnell's endeavors extend beyond academia. An avid pilot, his passion for exploration and adventure mirrors the dynamism and forward-thinking approach he applies to his professional responsibilities.
Dr. Stacy Anderson serves as Dean of the LMU College of Veterinary Medicine. She joined the founding faculty at the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Since joining LMU-CVM, Anderson has invested fully in developing a curriculum to produce confident, competent, day-one-ready graduates.
Dr. Anderson graduated from Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine with honors in 2004. She completed two equine/large animal internships, one at a private practice near Chicago, Illinois (Kendall Road Equine Hospital) and the other at the University of Tennessee. She completed an extensive animal surgical residency and Master of Veterinary Science at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Following her residency, Anderson remained at WCVM to complete a Ph.D. where she investigated equine neutrophil lifespan in equine inflammatory conditions. While at WCVM, Anderson won numerous awards for her research efforts as a graduate student, including the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Equine Health Research Fund Graduate Student Award (2011 and 2014) and the Vétquinol Graduate Student Award for Research in Anesthesia (2013).
Dr. Anderson has a passion for teaching, which ultimately drew her to LMU-CVM, where the student-centered education model closely aligned with her previous experiences. In 2016, she was promoted to Director of Large Animal Clinical Skills at LMU-CVM, where she contributed to developing a successful clinical skills program that has attracted many visitors from other veterinary colleges to learn about the program. Anderson was recognized for her teaching efforts in the spring of 2019 when she won the Class of 2020 (third-year class) Teacher of the Year award and the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award. In August of 2019, Anderson was named interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; and in March of 2020, the position was made permanent.
Dr. Jody M. Goins joined Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) in 2015 after serving in multiple leadership roles in K-12 public education. He was named Vice President in October 2017 and Executive Vice President in January 2021. Prior to his executive vice president appointment, Dr. Goins served in several roles including vice president and dean for enrollment and student affairs, assistant vice president for academic support, special assistant for academic affairs, and instructor of education.
In his role as executive vice president for administration, Dr. Goins oversees LMU’s Enrollment (institution-wide), Student Affairs (Title IX, Career Services, Accessible Education, Mental Health Counseling, Inclusion & Diversity, Student Activities, FYE, Community Service), Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum, Residential Housing, and Conduct divisions. He also directs the University’s NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic department and the University's on-campus K-12 preparatory academy, J. Frank White Academy.
Dr. Goins’ prior experience includes ten years of serving in leadership roles in public education in the Oak Ridge, Knox County, and Claiborne County school systems. His career in education began in 2004 at Oak Ridge High School, where he was a world geography educator and an assistant boys’ basketball coach. In 2006, Dr. Goins was named associate head boys’ basketball coach, assistant athletic director, and social studies teacher at Oak Ridge High School. A year later, he served as Oak Ridge High School’s interim vice principal, associate head boys’ basketball coach, and assistant athletic director. From 2009 to 2015, he served as principal at Oak Ridge High School (2009-2013), Knox Central High School (2014), and Claiborne High School (2015).
Dr. Goins holds a Doctor of Education degree in executive leadership, earned at LMU. He also earned from LMU a bachelor of arts in history, a master of education in educational administration and supervision, and an educational specialist degree in educational administration and supervision. Dr. Goins also holds a master of public administration degree earned at LMU. As an undergraduate at LMU, he played basketball and was LMU Student Athlete of the Year (B. Frank "Tex" Turner Award) and Student Humanitarian of the Year (Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award).
Dr. Goins is a member of the President’s Executive Council and Cabinet. He also serves on the Board of Directors for LMU’s Arts in the Gap program, East Tennessee PBS, and for the Museum of Appalachia. In 2010, Dr. Goins was named one of the Greater Knoxville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
Dr. Goins resides in Speedwell, Tennessee, with his wife Ashley, and children, Jace, Jaxton, Linkyn, and Juda.
Dr. Kimberly Carney serves as Dean of the LMU College of Veterinary Medicine in Orange Park, Florida. Before joining LMU-CVM in Orange Park as its founding Dean, Carney worked for the Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine in roles as professor and administrator for more than six years.
Carney’s vast experience includes serving as a long-term missionary at Universidad Autonoma Gabriel Rene Moreno in Bolivia working in veterinary student education as well as in rural development. Prior to that, she operated a veterinary practice in Harrogate for nearly 13 years.
Carney earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (cum laude) at the University of Georgia, Athens (UGA) in 2001, a Master of Public Health in Community Health at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in 2021, a Graduate Certificate in Global Health at ETSU in 2021, and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture/Animal Health (magna cum laude) from UGA in 1999. She is currently a PhD student in the Higher Education Administration program at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
David Laws currently serves as the Vice President of Facilities Planning, Management, and Safety Services. Serving Lincoln Memorial University for forty-five years, Mr. Laws has served as Director of Campus Operations, Director of Information Systems and Technology, Director of Properties and Physical Plant, and Director of Infrastructure Management.
Under his guidance, Lincoln Memorial University has witnessed remarkable advancements in facilities management and construction practices. David's strategic vision and proactive approach have enabled the university to optimize its resources efficiently, ensuring that the campus remains conducive to learning, research, and innovation.
As Vice President of Facilities Planning, Management, and Safety Services, David Laws plays a pivotal role in shaping the physical landscape of Lincoln Memorial University. His proven track record of leadership and innovation is a testament to his dedication to supporting the university's mission of academic excellence and student success.
Dr. Christopher J. Loyke is the Dean and Chief Academic officer at Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM).
Dr. Loyke was previously the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at LMU-DCOM where he was responsible for the clinical training of medical students, preceptor development and management of clinical training sites.
Dr. Loyke received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his residency at Brentwood Hospital, and is Board Certified in General Practice by the American Osteopathic Board of General Practice. Dr. Loyke currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps. He has deployed to multiple environments both foreign and domestic to provide care to soldiers as well as local populations. Dr. Loyke has served as Chief Medical Officer, Director of Medical Education, and Staff Physician at the University Hospitals Parma Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio where he has practiced Family Medicine for over 25 years. Dr. Loyke is a member of various professional and scholarly organizations including the American Osteopathic Association, and has presented at regional CME events. His honors and awards include LMUDCOM’s Ray Stowers Award, OUHCOM’s outstanding alumnus and outstanding family preceptor awards. Dr. Loyke was also named one of Cleveland’s “Best Doctors” as ranked by his peers for five consecutive years.
Matthew R. Lyon became the Vice President and Dean of the Duncan School of Law (“LMU Law”) in July 2020. Prior to that, Lyon served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at LMU Law for five years. In that role, Lyon oversaw LMU Law’s program of legal education and coordinated its successful efforts to obtain full approval from the American Bar Association.
Lyon earned a B.A. from the College of William and Mary, an M.P.A. from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and his J.D. cum laude from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. After law school, Lyon worked as a commercial litigation associate at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago, then moved to East Tennessee to take a position as the senior law clerk for Justice Gary R. Wade of the Tennessee Supreme Court. He began teaching at LMU Law when the school first opened in fall 2009, serving as an adjunct professor for two years before joining the full-time faculty in 2011.
Lyon’s areas of teaching include Civil Procedure, Contracts and Sales, Business Organizations, Payment Systems, and, most recently, the law school’s Externship course. His scholarship has been published in numerous law reviews, but he also believes strongly in writing and presenting on issues of interest to the state and local bar. Lyon was Chair of the Tennessee Bar Association’s Business Law Section from 2017-19 and a member of the TBA’s Leadership Law Class of 2017. He is also a member of the Publications Committee of the Knoxville Bar Association and coordinates the feature article in KBA’s monthly publication, DICTA. The KBA recognized Lyon’s contributions by awarding him its prestigious DICTA Award in 2017. Lyon is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Knoxville Bar Foundation.
Lyon, his wife, Angie, and their two children and two dogs live in Knoxville’s Sequoyah Hills neighborhood. Lyon and his family are very active in their church, First Baptist Church of Knoxville, where he serves as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher.
Executive Vice President, FinanceDr. Debra Moyers presently assumes the position of Executive Vice President for Finance at Lincoln Memorial University, where she undertakes the pivotal responsibility of overseeing and guiding the institution's financial operations, thereby playing an instrumental role in shaping its strategic trajectory. Possessing a Doctor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration, both earned from Lincoln Memorial University, Dr. Moyers brings a wealth of academic prowess and practical expertise to her current role. With an extensive tenure exceeding a decade within the university's environment, she has spearheaded various teams in developing and maintaining administrative computing systems, thus showcasing her adeptness in the realm of Information Technology (IT).
Beyond her distinguished contributions to IT, Dr. Moyers exhibits noteworthy leadership acumen within the domain of finance, which underscores her versatile competencies at Lincoln Memorial University. Her aptitude in IT infuses her approach to financial management with a unique perspective, characterized by efficiency, technological innovation, and strategic foresight. Such a multifaceted skill set enables her to navigate the complex financial landscape of the university with agility and efficacy, driving initiatives that foster fiscal sustainability and institutional growth.
Moreover, Dr. Moyers is diligently pursuing her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification, a testament to her commitment to further enhancing her expertise and professional credentials in the field of accounting and finance. In addition to her professional endeavors, Dr. Moyers maintains a commitment to her family, sharing her life with her husband, Ben, and their four children: Jacob, Seth, Noah, and Emma.
Dr. Jay Stubblefield serves as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lincoln Memorial University. He returned to LMU July 1, 2022, after having first served in the Vice President for Academic Affairs position from 2019 until 2021. He leads the Academic Affairs division of the University and serves on the President’s Cabinet and Executive Council.
Stubblefield brings with him nearly three decades of academic experience, having served as a faculty member and in roles of increasing administrative responsibility—most recently as Chief Academic Officer at South College in Knoxville, TN. Prior to his first tenure at LMU, Stubblefield served South University in Savannah, GA, as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) for three years, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs from 2012 to 2016. Prior to joining South University, he served for 12 years first as a faculty member and ultimately as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at North Carolina Wesleyan College (now University) in Rocky Mount, NC. He had previously taught for two years on the faculty at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, TX. In addition to several journal articles and professional presentations, Stubblefield co-authored a book entitled A Critical Companion to Jonathan Swift: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work.
In addition to his academic proficiencies, Stubblefield brings extensive experience with accreditation activities including reaffirmation and substantive change efforts, committee work, and presentations with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). He has also demonstrated expertise and success in programmatic accreditation and state licensing.
Stubblefield holds a Ph.D. and MA in English from the University of Kentucky and a BA in English from North Carolina State University. Originally from Central Virginia, Stubblefield and his wife, Teresa, have two children, Marshall and Lilly.
Dr. Wang began her role as Interim Dean at Lincoln Memorial University in May 2024. Before this position, she served as Academic Dean, Director of the Implant Center, and Director of the Center for Research, Education, and Technology (CRET) at LMU. Her previous experience includes significant contributions to developing the dental implant curriculum at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry and negotiating contracts with dental manufacturers.
Dr. Wang’s diverse background, which spans private dental practices, corporate dentistry, and community health clinics, provides her with extensive knowledge across various facets of the dental field. She earned her DDS degree from Creighton University and completed a two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she was chief resident during her second year.
Dr. Wang's personal mission to serve underserved populations in East Tennessee is a driving force behind her work. This commitment to making a difference in the community is a reflection of her values. As Dean, she is dedicated to providing LMU CDM students exceptional education and clinical experiences while fostering community partnerships.
Dr. Wang is married to Christopher, a radiation oncologist. They have three children, along with three fur babies.
Dr. Frank W. Woodward joined the division of University Advancement in 2008, serving as the director of gift processing until 2010 when he was promoted to assistant vice president for University Advancement. In 2023 he was promoted to associate vice president for University Advancement. Dr. Woodward leads the division of University Advancement which encompasses all fundraising, donor relations and alumni relations functions for LMU.
Woodward played an integral role in the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum Hansel and Dorothy Kincaid One Million Dollar Matching Challenge Campaign, which exceeded its goal with over $3 million raised. Throughout the years, he has worked with the Advancement division to enhance overall alumni and fundraising processes and information management. He also works closely with Student Financial Services to administer the vibrant donor-funded scholarship program which awards over $1 million in student scholarships annually, managing the application process, reviewing applications and coordinating the award presentations.
Woodward previously served LMU as assistant director of admissions from 1999-2001. He started his career at Union College in 1996 as an admissions counselor and ascended to associate dean of admissions and financial aid in 1998. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Emory and Henry College, a Master of Theological Studies and Master of Divinity from Duke University and a Doctor of Public Administration from Valdosta State University. He served as a provisional elder in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church from 2003-2007.
Woodward has served as an adjunct instructor in LMU’s Master of Public Administration program as well as the University of Tennessee’s Master of Public Policy and Administration program. He has published articles and presented at national conferences on higher education policy, public administration, and Methodist history.
Woodward grew up in Jonesville, Virginia and currently resides in New Tazewell, Tennessee. He has an avid interest in photography, travel and the outdoors.
Dr. Teresa Bicknell first joined the LMU faculty in 2002 as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Graduate Education. In 2003, she began her full-time employment with LMU as an Assistant Professor and later attained the rank of Associate Professor. She has worked in several positions at LMU, including Program Director for the Post Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program, Department Chair of the Undergraduate Department of Education, Assistant Dean from 2007 through 2008, and Associate Dean for the School of Education from 2009 until July 2021. She also served as Interim Dean for the School of Education for the past two academic years. She has recently been appointed as the Dean of the Carter & Moyers School of Education.
As Dean of the Carter and Moyers School of Education, Dr. Bicknell is the administrative head of the school and is responsible for the growth and development of school programs, positive leadership of faculty, and effective operations of all aspects within the school. The School Dean coordinates the work of the school, interprets such work to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and to the university at large, and interprets the plans and decisions of administration to school and university faculty, staff, and students.
Dr. Bicknell completed her Bachelor of Science of Education at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, her Master of Arts degree and Educational Specialist degree in Education at Tennessee Technological University, and her Doctor of Education degree at Tennessee State University in Nashville. She has served as a consultant for schools of education that are seeking national accreditation, presented at numerous conferences nationwide, and works on community and state service committees.
Dr. Bicknell lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her husband, Steve, where they enjoy their church activities, visiting the mountains, and spending time boating on the beautiful area lakes. She also enjoys spending time with her two daughters, their husbands, and her several grandchildren.
Dr. Tammy Dean earned her BSN degree in June 1982 her MSN in December 1987. During her graduate education, she chose a dual specialty path of Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nursing Education. In July 2013, she completed a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) program with the focus of an Advanced Practice Nurse Administrator. A total of 570 clinical hours were completed for the DNP with the majority of these hours completed with various health-related administrators.
Dr. Dean began her nursing education career with Lincoln Memorial University in August 1988 as a nursing instructor. Beginning August 2005, she became the ASN Program Director and then in 2008 was named Chair of the ASN Program. Commencing in August 2014, she became the CSON Assistant Dean of Academics. In 2018, she was named Associate Dean for the CSON, and in December 2020 she assumed the role of Dean of the CSON. During her tenure at LMU, she was promoted to Assistant Professor and then to Associate Professor. In December 2020, she was promoted to the Vianna Hillman Caylor Distinguished Professor in Nursing.
In addition to serving as Dean of the CSON, Dr. Dean serves the University through the Dean’s Committee, the LMU COVID-19 Taskforce, the Institutional Effectiveness Committee, and Academic Council. She is a member of the Tennessee Organization of Nurse Executives, the National League of Nursing, Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Theta Tau. She was inducted into the LMU Professional Hall of Fame in October 2021.
Dr. Dean enjoys spending time with her spouse and daughter. And in February 2021, she was blessed with a precious granddaughter
Dr. Kelsey Metz serves as Interim Dean of the School of Business at Lincoln Memorial University. She has previously served as Assistant Dean of the School of Business, Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program Director, Accreditation and Outcomes Assessment Coordinator, and Assistant Professor of Business. Dr. Metz holds a Ph.D. in Business with a concentration in Marketing from the University of the Cumberlands. She has also earned an MBA from Carson-Newman University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from LMU. Dr. Metz is passionate about the mission of LMU and strives to promote quality business programs that aid in the improvement and economic strengthening of the Appalachian region. Dr. Metz resides in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband and two children.
Paula Miksa, DMS, EdS, PA-C, is the interim dean of the School of Medical Sciences. Established in 2019, the School of Medical Sciences (LMU-SMS) is home to LMU’s PA program with a primary care focus at the main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee, a PA program with a surgical focus at LMU-Knoxville, the online Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) program, and the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program. The school supports the University’s mission of serving Appalachia and other underserved areas by maintaining high-quality medical education and supporting student success.
Dr. Miksa has served as director of the Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) program, interim director of the Harrogate Physician Assistant (PA) program, and faculty member within the Physician Assistant Program since 2009. She was the director of both Didactic Education and Clinical Education during her time in the PA Program.
Miksa's tenure at LMU spans over a decade, during which she has made significant contributions to the academic and leadership realms within the School of Medical Sciences. With 21 years of experience as a physician assistant and a decade and a half dedicated to education, Miksa's expertise and commitment have played a pivotal role in shaping the learning experiences of numerous students.
In 2018, Miksa earned her DMS with distinction in Medical Education from LMU, solidifying her dedication to advancing medical education. Her educational background also includes an Education Specialist (EdS) degree.
Miksa's vision for the future of LMU-SMS is one of continued growth, collaboration, and excellence. She looks forward to working closely with the esteemed faculty and staff, fostering an environment conducive to academic success and innovation.
Dr. Ryan Overton, Ph.D., P.E. was named the Dean of Engineering on September 1, 2021. As the founding Dean for the School of Engineering, Overton will begin by establishing the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program on the main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee.
Prior to his current position, Overton spent several years at Trine University in Angola, Indiana. He joined Trine as an Assistant Professor in the Reiners Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, specializing in transportation engineering. Overton passionately supported the students serving as an academic advisor and advocate for numerous student organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Chi Epsilon (civil engineering honor society), and Tau Beta Pi (engineering honor society). Overton progressed to Chair of the department and experienced record enrollment under his leadership. Overton’s most recent position at Trine was Dean of the Allen School of Engineering and Computing, in which he led the successful ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation for seven engineering programs.
Overton, a native of Speedwell, Tennessee, earned his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Civil Engineering at the University of Tennessee— Knoxville. Although most of his experience has been in higher education, he is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Indiana. During his undergraduate and graduate studies, Overton interned and worked part-time at Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers in Middlesboro, Kentucky.
Overton resides on his family farm in Speedwell with his wife Ashley and children, Annie and Andrew. In addition to engineering and attending LMU sporting events, he enjoys Angus cattle, tractors, hiking, hunting, going to the lake, and attending church.
Dr. Adam Rollins joined Lincoln Memorial University in August 2008 and immediately engaged his philosophy of utilizing a student-centered approach to integrate his teaching, scholarship, and service in support of the University’s mission. Toward these means, he contributed to the delivery, redesign, and creation of courses, programs, and research opportunities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the School of Mathematics and Sciences and the Institution as a whole. Although born in rural West Virginia, his scholarly pursuits have taken him to five continents and resulted in several publications, workshops, lectures, and grants. Dr. Rollins’ Appalachian heritage combined with his global perspective has made him well suited to interact and identify with LMU’s diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. Dr. Rollins currently serves as the Dean for the School of Mathematics and Sciences and the Program Director for the Master of Science program’s Life Sciences Research Major.
Since joining LMU, Dr. Rollins has been deeply involved with the curricular assessment and data-driven improvement. He contributed to the restructuring of LMU’s Biology pre-med track which aligned the program with current standards ensuring that LMU’s students were (1) better prepared for the MCAT and (2) competitive applicants to professional and graduate programs. He led the modernization of the natural resources-related programs which resulted in the discontinuance of LMU’s Environmental Science and Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Programs. Strategically-selected and updated components of these two programs along with the creation of several new courses resulted in the establishment of LMU’s Conservation Biology Bachelor of Science Program with two tracks (a) Wildlife and Fisheries Management and (b) Conservation Biology Research.
Contributing to the development of graduate-level education programs has been an important goal for Dr. Rollins. As such, he contributed to the working group that established LMU’s Master of Science Program. This program offers four majors (1) Anatomical Sciences, (2) Biomedical Sciences, (3) Life Sciences Research, and (4) Veterinary Biomedical Science. Dr. Rollins is the Program Director for the MS Life Sciences Research Major within which he has served as the major professor for a student who successfully completed a traditional research-based thesis and was subsequently awarded a master's degree. Dr. Rollins served as a member of a working group to develop an Integrative Biosciences doctoral (Ph.D.) program.
Dr. Rollins has worked to increase the level of scholarship and integration not only in the School of Mathematics and Sciences but campus-wide and beyond. This is evidenced through his involvement as one of the founding members of LMU’s Honors Scholars Program. This program provides engaging academic experiences across all of LMU’s Schools through experiential and service-learning opportunities which ultimately enrich the LMU community. In addition to being one of the founding members, he has also served as the program’s Interim Director and Chair of the Honors Scholars Council — a group for which he currently serves as an ex-officio member.
Dr. Rollins has a passion for the scholarship of discovery and has worked to provide research opportunities for students and faculty. His own research has taken him to 11 countries across five continents and produced 18 peer-reviewed manuscripts in the primary literature, 4 book chapters, and over 40 abstracts from professional conferences. In addition to directing a successful master's student, he has mentored 22 undergraduate and 4 graduate research projects all of which resulted in presentations at either the college or professional levels. In recognition of his scholarly productivity, Dr. Rollins was named the inaugural chair holder of the Dr. Estle Pershing Muncy Endowed Chair in Biology in 2017.
Dr. Rollins has facilitated research opportunities and worked directly with LMU students across our region and internationally in Belize, Costa Rica, Kenya, and Thailand. Furthermore, he has hosted 15 visiting scientists ranging from graduate students to world authorities who delivered public lectures and interacted with students. These guests, which included four Fulbright Scholars, came from across the United States and other countries including Costa Rica, the Philippines, Russia, Tunisia, and Vietnam. A direct extension of Dr. Rollins’ scholarship led to the development of an official collaborative agreement, signed in 2017, between Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Costa Rica that provides both academic and research exchanges for students and faculty.
Dr. Rollins’ service beyond LMU has focused on the scholarship of teaching through facilitating and contributing to professional development and outreach events for K – 12 educators and students across LMU’s service region. In this capacity, he has worked with the Claiborne County STEM Vertical Integration Committee, LMU’s STEM Academy and Appalachian Summer Medical Institute, as well as the Step up to STEM Summer Institute (supported by the TN Higher Education Commission). Collectively, these and other events have utilized and strengthened institutional collaborations among LMU’s School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Arts Humanities & Social Sciences, the Carter and Moyers School of Education, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum. Within the institution, Dr. Rollins has actively contributed to several committees including LMU’s Academic Council, Committee on Scholarly Activities, General Education Committee, Institutional Effectiveness Committee, and the Institutional Review Board.
Dr. Martin Sellers is Dean of the Paul V. Hamilton School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. He received a formal education, including a BA in Political Science and Public Administration, from the College of New Jersey, a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from New York University and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Temple University in Philadelphia.
His career path led him to the United States Air Force and then to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a program evaluator, inner-city health program director, and assistant bureau chief with the Department of Law and Public Safety with the State of New Jersey. He began a career in higher education as a faculty member and then Chair of the Department of Government, History and Justice at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. He was appointed Dean of the Undergraduate Studies at Lincoln Memorial University in 2002, then Vice President for Academic Affairs at the College of Saint Mary in 2006, moving to Cox College in Springfield, Missouri as VPAA and VP for Student Services until 2011. Dr. Sellers returned to LMU as Dean of Research and Service in the fall of 2011 and was then appointed Dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences in 2012.
Dr. Sellers is married to Tricia Sellers, and they have five children. His academic interests are in the areas of state and local government, special district government, public and private administration, and prison education. He is currently working on projects regarding collaboration in local government, the correlation between private and public finance, and prison education. His hobbies are playing guitar, writing Christian music, and long-distance running.