The University of Tennessee College of Law is pleased to announce changes in several key leadership positions. Dean Lonnie Brown expressed excitement over the appointments of Michael Higdon, Teri Baxter and Brad Morgan to his leadership team. “I have been fortunate during my first year as dean to be surrounded by a wealth of talented and dedicated administrators,” Brown said. “That good fortune certainly continues with the appointments of Michael, Teri and Brad to three critically important roles.”
Higdon, the W. Allen Separk Distinguished Professor of Law, has been named Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs effective August 1, succeeding Professor Paula Schaefer, who served in that role with distinction for the past four years. “Having worked at the College of Law for almost fifteen years now, one of the things that makes us such a unique place is our profound commitment to educating our students and, thus, I’m extremely honored to be serving as associate dean for academic affairs”, said Higdon. Higdon has served the College of Law and University in a variety of ways throughout his tenure at UT, including as Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Director of Legal Writing and a Faculty Fellow in the Provost’s office. A gifted scholar and award-winning teacher, Higdon’s work concentrates on family law, wills & trust and legal process.
Teri Baxter, Williford Gragg Distinguished Professor, is now the Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development, a post that she previously filled from August 2016 to May 2019. “In this role I get the benefit of working with and learning from my faculty colleagues and the law school administration,” said Baxter. “It also allows me to interact with other associate deans across campus and share all the ways that our faculty excel as teachers and scholars.” Like Higdon, Baxter too is a noted scholar and outstanding teacher, having received various awards in recognition of her efforts in each area. She focuses her work on torts, constitutional law and secured transactions.
Finally, Brad Morgan has been named Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, after having served in this role on an interim basis since January. “The academic, professional, and personal goals of our students are of paramount importance to the faculty and staff at the College of Law, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to work with our students in achieving these objectives,” Morgan said. “The culture that exists at the College is one of support, understanding, and encouragement, and I look forward to continuing to serve our students.” Before assuming his assistant dean responsibilities, Morgan served as the Director of the College of Law’s Bettye B. Lewis Career Center since 2016 and has provided stellar service in multiple capacities since joining the College of Law in 2011.
Featured image, left to right: Michael Higdon, Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Teri Baxter, Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development. Brad Morgan, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.