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Michele Atkins

Professor of Education; Associate Provost; and Title IX Coordinator

About

Michele Atkins (’89) joined the faculty at Union University in 1998 after serving 9 years in P-12 public education as a teacher and administrator. In her role as Assistant Provost for Accreditation and Research at Union University, Atkins supervises the institution’s SACSCOC accreditation processes including guidance for policy and procedures, oversight for daily decision making, leadership for the reaffirmation cycle, and support for discipline-specific accreditation activities throughout the university. Most recently, she led the institution through its decennial reaffirmation process, resulting in affirmation of accreditation through 2027, and a substantive acquisition of a non-SACSCOC accredited entity under the institution’s accreditation. In addition, Atkins chairs Union University’s Institutional Review Board, oversees federal reporting of institutional data, and is responsible for the University’s institutional effectiveness process. In addition to her institutional service, Atkins has served the education profession in various ways throughout her career including membership on the SACSCOC Board of Trustees, and membership on peer-review SACSCOC reaffirmation committees throughout the Southeast. She is former vice chairperson of the Milan Special School District Board of Education, and former member of the Tennessee Department of Education Textbook Commission appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen. Atkins is a licensed school psychologist and consults with local school districts to provide services. Atkins has several refereed publications and has presented research at the national and international levels. Her research interests include pedagogy, assessment of student learning, data-informed decision making, policy and governance in higher education, emotional intelligence, and leadership.

Education

  • Ph.D, University of Memphis

  • Ed.S., University of Memphis

  • M.Ed., University of Memphis

  • B.S., Union University

Programs

Scholarship

Articles

Presentations

  • Designing Significant Learning Experiences: An Interactive Approach (2012)

    Lilly Conference on College Teaching

  • The Purposeful Reading Plan (2012)

    the International Society of Teaching and Learning

  • Enhancing Learning through Engaging Students (2010)

    The 40th Annual Conference of the International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning (ISETL)

  • Joy in the Middle School Classroom (2010)

    Lifelines for New Teachers

  • Research-based Instructional Interventions in Reading and Mathematics (2010)

    Paris Special School District: Professional Development Series

  • Whitespace in the Classroom (2009)

    International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning (ISETL)

  • Reflection: A Key to Developing Effective Professors (2009)

    The Teaching Professor

  • Fostering Children’s Learning Through Parent Knowledge (2009)

    Foster Care Parent Conference, Joint Conference DCS and UU-SW

  • Reflection: A Key to Developing Effective Teachers (2008)

    Annual Conference of the International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning (ISETL)

  • The Impact of Education on Social Welfare (2008)

    Annual Town and Gown Series, Union University

  • Beyond Comprehension: Assessment ot Improve Teaching and Learning (2007)

    Making An Impact Conference: Kennesaw State, Atlanta

Dissertation Committees

  • The Role of Metacognition in a Montessori Environment and the Effects on Academic Achievement (2015)

    Melinda Harris (Ed.D.)

  • Effects of Mentoring and Induction on Beginning Teacher Success and Student Growth (2014)

    Mary Day Reynolds (Ed.D.)

  • Servant Leadership as a Predictor of Student Academic Growth, Faculty/Staff Attendance and Job Satisfaction, and Organizational Health of the Middle School (2014)

    Duane Eliff (Ed.D.)

  • The Effects of Athletic Training Education Program Directors’ Cultural Competence on Program Diversity Index (2014)

    Cliff Pawley (Ed.D.)

  • The Effects of Instructional Coaching on Collective Teacher Efficacy and School-Level Teacher Effect in Tennessee Public Middle Schools (2013)

    Carla S. Cushman (Ed.D.)

  • Professional Commitment, Ethical Reasoning, and the Belief in Regulatory Compliance as Perceived by Safety Professionals (2012)

    John Wells, Jr. (Ed.D.)

  • Intercultural Competence in a Cohort of Freshmen at a Faith-based Institution in the Southeast United States (2012)

    Jason Castles (Ed.D.)

  • The Escalating Costs of Higher Education in Faith-Based Institutions: Identification of Challenges and Solutions (2010)

    Gary N. Williams (Ed.D.)

  • The Impact of Intercollegiate Athletics on Undergraduate Enrollmenet at a Small, Private, Southern, Faith-based Institution (2010)

    Matthew Brunet (Ed.D.)

  • Executive Coaching Among Female Public School Superintendents and its Relationship to Stress and Self-fulfillment (2010)

    Jennifer C. Wyatt (Ed.D.)

  • Factors that Determine the Success Among Traditional and Nontraditional Students in Online Education (2009)

    Lucia Vanderpool (Ed.D.)

  • Spirituality among Public School Principals and Its Relationship to Job Satisfaction and Resiliency (2008)

    Justin Robertson (Ed.D.)

  • Teacher Practices and Student Science Grades as Indicators of Performance on the Reading, Mathematics and Science Reasoning Subtests of the ACT (2005)

    Marilyn Wade (Ed.D.)

  • The Relationship Between Emotional and Ethical Decision-Making (2004)

    Barbara Scott (Ed.D.)