Senate Education Committee confirms a slate of university and higher‑education appointments
February 25, 2026 | 2026 Legislature TN, Tennessee
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The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday confirmed several nominees to university advisory boards and to the Tennessee Board of Regents, moving each nomination on to the Senate calendar.
Susan Mayfield of Giles County, a recently retired schoolteacher, told the committee she brings 34 years of classroom experience and a background in agriculture. The committee approved SJR0625 for her appointment to the University of Tennessee Southern advisory board by roll call (motion seconded by Senator Hensley; committee recorded 7 ayes).
Dr. Charles D. Haney, a practicing physician who sought reappointment to the UT Southern advisory board, described efforts to increase enrollment and retention and to develop a campus master plan. The committee approved his nomination (SJR0627) by roll call.
Tony Treadway, nominated for an East Tennessee State University board seat, said the university has seen its largest freshman class and noted that “almost half of our students when they graduate have 0 debt.” The committee approved his confirmation (SJR0633); the clerk reported the vote as passing to the committee on calendar.
The committee also advanced nominations to the UT Center for Health Sciences (Gary Passons, Dr. Randall Davis) and three candidates for the Tennessee Board of Regents — Christopher Branscomb, Matt Harriman and Miles Burdine — after brief remarks about workforce and community‑college priorities. Each nomination was moved, seconded and approved in committee by recorded votes.
John H. Weston Jr. (listed in committee papers as John H. Weston Jr.) appeared for a confirmation to the State Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission and emphasized his work with families and educators; the committee approved that nomination as well (SJR0640).
All confirmations were procedural and the committee made no substantive changes to the nominations; each successful nomination was reported out of committee to the Senate calendar for final consideration.
Susan Mayfield of Giles County, a recently retired schoolteacher, told the committee she brings 34 years of classroom experience and a background in agriculture. The committee approved SJR0625 for her appointment to the University of Tennessee Southern advisory board by roll call (motion seconded by Senator Hensley; committee recorded 7 ayes).
Dr. Charles D. Haney, a practicing physician who sought reappointment to the UT Southern advisory board, described efforts to increase enrollment and retention and to develop a campus master plan. The committee approved his nomination (SJR0627) by roll call.
Tony Treadway, nominated for an East Tennessee State University board seat, said the university has seen its largest freshman class and noted that “almost half of our students when they graduate have 0 debt.” The committee approved his confirmation (SJR0633); the clerk reported the vote as passing to the committee on calendar.
The committee also advanced nominations to the UT Center for Health Sciences (Gary Passons, Dr. Randall Davis) and three candidates for the Tennessee Board of Regents — Christopher Branscomb, Matt Harriman and Miles Burdine — after brief remarks about workforce and community‑college priorities. Each nomination was moved, seconded and approved in committee by recorded votes.
John H. Weston Jr. (listed in committee papers as John H. Weston Jr.) appeared for a confirmation to the State Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission and emphasized his work with families and educators; the committee approved that nomination as well (SJR0640).
All confirmations were procedural and the committee made no substantive changes to the nominations; each successful nomination was reported out of committee to the Senate calendar for final consideration.
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