Dr. Cameron Conn to Lead Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association

JUNE 3, 2024

Media Contact: Jasa West 

jwest@crispcomm.com

Dr. Cameron Conn to Lead Tennessee Independent 

Colleges and Universities Association

Experienced Higher Education Leader to Succeed Dr. Claude Pressnell, Jr. as TICUA’s President

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce Dr. Cameron Conn as the association’s new president. Dr. Conn brings over 15 years of experience in higher education administration and will succeed Dr. Claude Pressnell, Jr., who is retiring after 28 years of service.

Dr. Conn, a native of Dyersburg, TN, served in numerous roles at Baptist Health Sciences University over the last six years and is currently the university’s Assistant Dean of Administration, Operations, and Services for the College of Osteopathic Medicine. During her tenure, she was instrumental in launching new programs and significantly contributed to the college's strategic planning, facilitating major accreditation processes, increasing enrollment, and securing substantial grants and partnerships.

"As a proud graduate of a TICUA institution and after serving in academic and student affairs roles within private higher education for the past 17 years, I am thrilled to have this opportunity to be a full-time champion for Tennessee independent colleges and universities," said Dr. Conn. "Our 34 member institutions have an outsize positive effect on Tennessee communities and provide the state with well-educated graduates who strengthen Tennessee’s workforce. I am excited to tell their stories and work to garner support for their work at the state and federal levels."

A long-time education advocate, Dr. Conn earned degrees from Union University and Florida State University before beginning her career in student services at Mississippi College and later transitioning to Baylor University. As Baylor's Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Curriculum and Student Affairs at the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, she played a central role in creating a new academic unit while chairing the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and leading efforts to design and implement new degrees. 

"As the chair of the search committee, I was thrilled when I saw Dr. Conn’s name for consideration. Since meeting Dr. Conn several years ago, I have been impressed with her contributions and displayed leadership within higher education," said Chris Hulin, former Chair of the TICUA Board of Directors and President of Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia. "The search committee was unanimous in our support for Dr. Conn to lead TICUA into this new chapter and I’m looking forward to what the future brings for Independent Colleges in Tennessee."

As an active quantitative researcher and peer reviewer, Dr. Conn has numerous publications and presentations on interests such as student-faculty interaction, college student outcomes, and Christian higher education. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education with a Doctoral Certificate in Strengths-Oriented Higher Education from Azusa Pacific University.

“Dr. Conn's proven track record of transformative leadership within higher education aligns very well with TICUA's mission,” said Eric Deaton, Vice Chair of the TICUA Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer of Ballad Health. “As Vice Chair, I am confident that under her leadership, we will reach new heights and continue to achieve our mission with renewed vigor and innovation.”

"Working alongside Dr. Conn to advance independent institutions here in Tennessee will be an honor," added David Shannon, TICUA Chair and President of Freed-Hardeman University. "She brings a wealth of experience and perspective that we're excited to welcome to the team."

Dr. Conn is also a graduate of TICUA's Executive Leadership Institute (ELI), a 9-month program designed to prepare the next generation of leaders for executive roles in higher education. ELI participants, known as Pressnell Fellows, are selected by TICUA college presidents and many graduates have gone on to hold leadership positions at numerous Tennessee higher education institutions.

"TICUA has made significant progress on behalf of all Tennessee students over the past twenty-eight years and I think Dr. Conn will contribute greatly to the future progress as the next president," said Dr. Claude Pressnell, President of TICUA. “I'm thrilled to pass the role to someone so deeply rooted in what we do as a graduate of both a TICUA member institution and the TICUA Executive Leadership Institute.”

Dr. Conn will officially assume her role as president of TICUA on September 1st. Read more about Dr. Pressnell’s career at TICUA.org.

ABOUT TICUA: 

TICUA engages Tennessee's 34 private, non-profit colleges and universities to work collaboratively in areas of public policy, cost containment, and professional development to better serve the state and its citizens. In fall 2022, TICUA member colleges and universities throughout the state enrolled more than 76,000 students and employed more than 20,000 faculty and staff. For more information about TICUA, please visit our website at www.ticua.org.