Sixteen Women Taking on New Assignments at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Lisa Muller has been appointed interim department head of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries in the Herbert College of Agriculture. She is currently a professor and director of the graduate program. Dr. Muller holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management and a master’s degree in wildlife biology from Auburn University. She received her Ph.D. in forest resources from the University of Georgia.

Gladys Alexandre has been named head of the department of biochemistry, cellular, and molecular biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She has been a professor at the university since 2005. Dr. Alexandre holds a Ph.D. in microbial ecology from the Claude Bernard University in Lyon, France.

Christine Shepardson has been appointed chair of the department of religious studies in the College of Arts & Sciences. She is the Lindsay Young Professor, and has been with the university since 2003. Dr. Shepardson received a bachelor’s degree in religion and English from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in biblical studies from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in early Christianity from Duke University.

Jana Spitzer has been named director of advising and student services in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. She has been serving as interim director. Dr. Spitzer earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from East Tennessee State University, and a master’s degree in sociology and Ph.D. in higher education administration, both from the University of Tennessee

Joy Radice has been appointed director of the Legal Clinic in the College of Law. She is an associate professor at the law school. Professor Radice holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University where she graduated magna cum laude. She also holds a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School.

Roberta Lavin has been named executive associate dean of academics at the College of Nursing. She was a professor and associate dean of academic programs in the College of Nursing at the University of Missouri St. Louis. Dr. Lavin earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree to become a family nurse practitioner from the University of Tennessee. She also holds a master’s degree in emergency and disaster management from the American Public University System and a Ph.D. in nursing from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science in Bethesda, Maryland.

Shandra Forrest-Bank has been appointed director of the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service in the College of Social Work. She is a tenured professor and previously served as the associate director of Addiction Research and Treatment Services at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Dr. Forrest-Bank holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Beloit College in Wisconsin, and a master’s degree and Ph.D., both in social work from the University of Denver.

Lisa Reyes Mason has been named director of the Ph.D. program in the College of Social Work. She is an assistant professor who has been at the university since 2013. Dr. Reyes Mason holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master of social work degree and Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.

Kelly Rubin has been named associate dean of students in the Division of Student Life. She was the director of Substance Abuse and Violence Education Support at Radford University in Virginia. Rubin earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southeast Missouri State University and her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Immaculata University in Pennsylvania.

Jill Zambito has been appointed assistant vice chancellor for student life in the Division of Student Life. She was director of student involvement and leadership development at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Zambito holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and Spanish from Baldwin-Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University, and a doctorate of education from Northern Illinois University.

Teresa Berry was named assistant head of liaison programs in University Libraries. She has served as the coordinator of research services since 2014 and has worked in the libraries since 1992. Berry earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in library sciences from the University of Tennessee.

Michelle Brannen, an assistant professor, has been selected as the interim head of the Scholar’s Collaborative in the University Libraries. She has served as the media librarian since 2013 and has been a member of the libraries’ staff since 1998. Brannen has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Florida State University and a master’s degree in information science from the University of Tennessee.

Regina Mays, an associate professor, has been named interim head of Assessment Programs and Collection Strategy at University Libraries. She has previously served as assessment librarian and coordinator of strategic planning and assessment. Mays received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and a master’s degree in information science and technology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Holly Mercer has been named senior associate dean of University Libraries. She is a professor and has served as associate dean since 2012. Professor Mercer holds a bachelor’s degree in classical studies from Duke University and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of South Carolina.

Ingrid Ruffin has been selected as interim head of the Learning Commons at University Libraries. She has previously served as coordinator of student success and the Learning Commons, student success librarian for First-Year Programs, and diversity resident librarian. Ruffin received a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in English, and a master’s degree in library and information studies, all from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

Anna Sandelli has been appointed interim head of teaching and learning programs at University Libraries. Formerly, she served as student success librarian for user experience and instructional assessment and as student success librarian for undergraduate user experience. Sandelli earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication and a master’s degree in library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.