TBR Chancellor Recommends Youlanda Jones-Wilcox as new director of TCATs Covington & Ripley

Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan will recommend Youlanda Jones-Wilcox as the next director to lead the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology at Covington and Ripley.

The Board will meet at 9:30 a.m. CDT at the TBR System Office in Nashville to vote on the recommendation, among other agenda items. If approved, Jones-Wilcox will assume the director position on July 1 following the earlier retirement of Bill Ray.

Jones-Wilcox has 21 years of experience as a professional manager or director and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in strategic leadership, both from the University of Memphis.

“Our Colleges of Applied Technology play a critical role in the communities across our state by providing workforce training and career preparation to meet the needs of business and industry in the region, while also addressing demands of the citizens they serve,” said Morgan. “Jones-Wilcox understands that important mission and is uniquely qualified to lead these campuses.”

She currently serves as vice president for institutional advancement and continuing education at Dyersburg State Community College, where she is responsible for the overall direction of private fundraising, grant development, alumni, public information, institutional research and effectiveness, strategic planning and regional accreditation.

Before joining DSCC, she was director of the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Ripley Center from 2005-2011. She served as director of community education at DSCC from 2001-2005, during which she also taught as an adjunct faculty member.

“Youlanda, with her vast experiences, will bring energy and enthusiasm to the director’s position,” said James King, vice chancellor for TCATs. “Under her leadership, she will make great strides in increasing capacity and meeting the workforce development needs of the area.”

The May 27 meeting is open to the public and the press. Dial-in access will be available. Those wishing to attend or participate should contact Sonja Mason at sonja.mason@tbr.edu or 615-366-3927 before 4:30 p.m. CDT May 26 so building security clearance or phone access can be arranged. Anyone with a disability who wishes to participate should use the same contact to request services needed to facilitate attendance. Contact may be made in person, by writing, by e-mail, by telephone or otherwise.