Dr. Yancy Freeman stepped into the role of Chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin on August 9, 2023 with big shoes to fill, but even bigger goals to reach. In his visit with the Old Hickory Rotary Club on Monday, he shared his story and vision for the university.
Freeman attended Central High School in Memphis, and shared with the club that he grew up in one of the poorest housing projects in Memphis.
Freeman is one of eight children, and the first in his family to get a college education. He stated that despite the fact his mom stopped at a high school diploma, she instilled the importance of higher education into him as a child.
“Higher education is transformational,” said Freeman. “It will change your life. It has done it for me.”
A first-generation college graduate, Freeman completed an undergraduate degree in political science, a master’s degree in public administration, and a doctorate in learning and leadership from UT Chattanooga.
Prior to being Chancellor, Freeman served at UT Chattanooga for 25 years in various admissions, recruitment and enrollment roles.
Going into his eighth week on the job, Freeman shared these six visions that he has for UT Martin: Listening over Leadership, Enrollment Management, Work Climate, Access and Inclusion, Managing, Elevating and Sustaining UTM Regional Centers, and Fundraising and Friend-Raising.
“For me, it is about a mission. It is about our goal. It is about a lifeline,” said Freeman. “It is about doing what I can to transform the lives of those individuals who touch and are around the campus.”
