University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Interim Chancellor Wayne T. Davis today announced that he has appointed Tyvi Small interim vice chancellor for diversity and engagement effective January 2, 2019. Small currently serves as executive director of talent management, diversity, and community relations in UT’s Haslam College of Business.
“Tyvi has been instrumental in recruiting, developing, and supporting student success since joining UT in 2007,” said Davis. “At Tyvi’s core is a passion to help students succeed. He has spent his entire career working with young people and inspiring them to be the best they can be.”
The new position will be focused on student success. Small will lead efforts to coordinate existing student success programs and diversity initiatives across the university that support students, including those from underrepresented communities, veterans, students with disabilities, first-generation students, and students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Small will report directly to the chancellor and serve on the chancellor’s cabinet.
“My goal for this position is to help our students have the access, opportunities, and knowledge to be successful,” said Small. “I’m excited about this opportunity to lead campus in support of our students during their time at UT and beyond.”
Small will serve as the administrative liaison to campus organizations and leaders to help advance the university’s strategic priorities, supporting and developing university-wide programs that prepare students to join a diverse and highly educated workforce. He will also oversee the current Office of Equity and Diversity, which implements federally mandated programs for employee protection.
Small has spent the past 11 years of his career in the Haslam College of Business, most recently as executive director of talent management, diversity, and community relations.
In 2008, he founded Business Education for Talented Students, a program that targets underrepresented high school students from communities across Tennessee who are interested in pursuing business careers. The program was honored in 2015 as one of UT’s best community-campus partnerships, and a number of participants have gone on to attend the university.
In 2017, Small launched the college’s inaugural Tennessee Business Diversity Consortium, a professional development and networking event open to undergraduate business students from across the state.
He is active in the community and serves on the boards of the Development Corporation of Knox County, Knoxville Area Urban League, Knoxville Utilities Board, Tennessee Valley Fair, and the Change Center.
Small is a member of the Leadership Knoxville Class of 2012. In 2016, he was named among the Knoxville News Sentinel’s “40 Under 40” for his professional achievements and community service.
Before coming to UT, Small worked for the city of West Palm Beach, Florida, as an education coordinator in the mayor’s office. He also worked in undergraduate admissions with the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Small has a bachelor’s degree in communication and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction, both from the University of South Florida. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education from UT.
—
CONTACT:
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)