Ashley M. Tennessee, DHA, MBA, MPH joined the faculty of the Medical University of South Carolina College of Health Professions Division of Health Professions as an Assistant Professor July 2016. Dr. Tennessee had previously served as Assistant Director for the Office of Continuing Medical Education for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
With honors, Dr. Tennessee was awarded her Doctorate in Health Administration from MUSC May 2016, her Master in Business Administration from the University of Memphis in 2011 and her Master of Science in Public Health in Health Systems Management from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in 2003. Prior to joining the faculty of MUSC, Dr. Tennessee also served as Leading Faculty Area Chair for the College of Health Professions Division of Wellness for the University of Phoenix Memphis campus from 2010–2015 and served as an Associate Faculty for the Division of Humanities from 2008–2016.
Dr. Tennessee has received several honors, however. Most notably, she was the recipient of the 2014 Academic Leadership Award for her exemplary service, leadership and dedication to the University of Phoenix Memphis campus. July 2017 will see Dr. Tennessee begin a year-long professional development training under the mentorship of Dr. Denise Yost, Director of the Center for Transformational Learning and Leadership at Washington State University. Dr. Yost will lend her knowledge and expertise in transformational and online learning to foster and enhance Dr. Tennessee’s online teaching acumen and to improve learning outcomes for the students of MUSC. Drs. Yost and Tennessee will co-author and submit for publication to the American Education Research Journal a manuscript that examines the efficacy and impact of external academic mentorships for junior faculty on professional development and student outcomes.