HIGHER EDUCATION

The plan would reduce TSU's budget deficit by $32-37 million over the next two fiscal years through staff cuts, scholarship caps, hiring freezes and other cuts.

Leaders in business and education came together to discuss new pathways for Tennessee students to find success in their journey from the classroom to the workforce during the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) annual Future Forward Summit.  

The Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) announced the launch of a new grant program called the Future Forward Innovation Grant that’s designed to support education, community, and industry leaders as they design and launch innovative education pathway programs.

Explosive program growth and a drop in lottery revenues prompted Tennessee Higher Education Commission officials to warn state lawmakers of a projected shortfall in funding for Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship programs.

Fresh off the passage of his plan to let parents use tax dollars to send children to private school during last month’s special session, Lee used the annual address to unveil multiple new proposals for education that would be funded by the Governor’s proposed $59.5 billion state budget.

The University of Memphis has launched a new year-long initiative to connect research leaders at the university who have seen success in their individual labs to researchers with strategic focuses to create large-scale transformational research ecosystems.

Joshua Tyler, a computational engineering doctoral candidate and electrical engineering research associate at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), has developed the world’s first usable artificial intelligence network that can learn how to encrypt itself.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Mathematics Assistant Professor Dr. Xiunan Wang has gained international recognition for her work in mathematical modeling to forecast the spread of infectious diseases.

The Tennessee House of Representatives passed a jointed resolution Thursday to signal lawmakers’ support for Riley Gaines, a former swimmer known for campaigning against the participation of trans women in collegiate women’s sports.

A new report from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) says students in Tennessee’s primary college coaching and advising program are more likely than others to gain post-secondary credentials.

Two University of Memphis researchers recently received a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Professional Development program to address a “critical need for highly qualified licensed ESL teachers in the Memphis area.”

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s former Chancellor Dr. Steve Angle transitioned from his leadership role to join the faculty on Jan. 1. Officials said his 11 years at the helm marked “a period of significant growth and innovation” that elevated the university’s reputation and prospects for future success.

Researchers at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville will use a $17.8 million grant from the U.S. Air Force to create a wind tunnel to recreate hypersonic conditions for aerospace research.

Tennessee State University officials told state leaders Monday that the university is currently looking for new ways to save money, amid concerns about financial mismanagement.

The Tennessee State University Board of Trustees has selected LEAD Public Schools CEO Dwayne Tucker to lead the university, following Interim President Ronald Johnson’s resignation on Wednesday.

A new poll from Vanderbilt University notes that parents are growing increasingly concerned about not having enough money to support their children’s education, among other findings.

Tennessee State University (TSU) Interim President Ronald Johnson abruptly announced his resignation on Wednesday, amid concerns that the university is running out of money due to financial mismanagement.

Vanderbilt University will use $10 million to “advance Vanderbilt Law School’s leadership in the study of how law, regulation and policy impact equality, equity and opportunity for women,” according to an announcement last week.  

New data from the National Council on Teacher Quality says there are nearly four percentage points fewer teachers from historically disadvantaged groups than expected when compared against working-age adults from historically disadvantaged groups with degrees, among other findings that suggest the need to diversify the educator workforce.

Vanderbilt University’s Dare to Grow campaign to expand student programming has surpassed its $3.2 billion fundraising goal 20 months ahead of its target date in June 2026, a recent announcement said.

Tanaka Vercher filed the suit in Davidson County Chancery Court on Monday claiming TSU leaders fired her the day after she refused to provide incorrect information to the federal government to speed up disbursement of financial aid to the cash strapped university.

The Federal Trade Commission has charged a company that produces AI-based weapons detection systems used by schools and other businesses with making misleading claims about its effectiveness.

The U.S. Department of Education released the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) earlier than expected last week, following recent efforts to modernize and streamline the process.

Tennessee State University (TSU) officials outlined new strategies at Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting to prevent a $46 million deficit, as the university works to avoid running out of money.

The University of Tennessee system will proceed with an external search to fill anticipated vacancies in the chancellor positions at UT Chattanooga and UT Southern, according to University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd.

State leaders criticized Tennessee State University for financial and operational mismanagement during a Thursday State Building Commission Meeting, amid recent fears that the university is running out of money.