Fannie Hewlett named Interim President at Chatt State

Dr. Fannie Hewlett, former provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Chattanooga State Community College, will return to the campus to serve as Interim President beginning Feb. 2.

Hewlett retired from Chattanooga State on June 30 last year, following 35 years of service to the college during which she earned praise and recognition from peers and leaders. In 2012 she was honored by the Tennessee Legislature as an outstanding educator, she received the college’s Eye of the Tiger Award for 2010-11, and the Chair Academy Exemplary Leadership Award. She has also earned numerous accolades for teaching excellence through the years.

A past president of the Chattanooga State Faculty Senate, Hewlett is expected to help build stability on the campus and continue the institution’s focus on student success while the Tennessee Board of Regents begins the search process for the college’s next president.

“We are fortunate Dr. Hewlett, who is well respected and extremely knowledgeable about the campus and its environments, is available and eager to help guide the college during this transition period,” said TBR Chancellor John Morgan. “Her experience and qualifications will enable Chattanooga State to continue its drive forward.”

Hewlett will replace Dr. Warren Nichols, the TBR vice chancellor for Tennessee’s Community Colleges, who took the helm as Interim President on Jan. 5 after Jim Catanzaro retired effective Dec. 31, 2014. “I am confident Dr. Hewlett will continue the excellent work Chattanooga State has already begun,” Nichols added. “Her years of service signify her respect for and commitment to this excellent institution, and that will be reflected in her leadership.”

Hewlett began her career at Chattanooga State in 1979 as an instructor in Behavioral Sciences. She was selected as the department head for Social and Behavioral Science in 1989 until she

was promoted to dean, and then to vice president for Academic Affairs in 2001. In 2011 she was named provost and vice president through her retirement last year.

Hewlett earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from Belmont University, a master’s degree in clinical and school psychology from Fisk University, a doctorate of education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and she conducted post-doctoral studies in community college leadership at the University of Texas at Austin.