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ETSU committee approves new hospitality and tourism BBA and awards tenure and promotion; items adopted on consent agenda
Summary
The Academic Research and Student Success Committee voted to approve promotion and tenure recommendations and a new 120‑credit Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management, which the full board later adopted on the consent agenda. The program is planned for fall 2026 and will pursue AACSB accreditation.
The Academic Research and Student Success Committee at East Tennessee State University voted to approve faculty promotion and tenure recommendations and to establish a new Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly McCorkle presented the tenure and promotion materials and described the university’s multi‑stage review process — departmental evaluation, department chair, college committee, dean, provost and president — before recommendations are brought to the board. The committee voted to approve the awarding of promotion and tenure for the faculty presented.
Provost McCorkle also asked trustees to approve a new BBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management. The program is a 120‑credit hour degree to be housed in the College of Business and Technology within the Department of Management and Supply Chain. The provost said the program builds upon an existing hospitality and tourism concentration in the management major and “leverages a strong foundation of business courses.” The college intends to seek AACSB accreditation for the program. The committee voted to approve the new academic program and the plan to launch in fall 2026.
Both committee actions were included on the meeting’s consent agenda and were adopted by the full board without separate discussion when the consent agenda passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: Trustees said the new degree aligns with state and regional workforce demand and the university’s strategic plan to expand programs in growth areas; the promotion and tenure approvals complete the institution’s formal review processes for faculty advancement.
Background: The committee’s report noted an increased emphasis on rigor and workforce integration in program design and the university’s broader work on academic restructuring and the Compass Core curriculum. The new program and personnel actions will be implemented through the relevant academic and administrative units and reported to the board through normal committee channels.
