UT System committee approves Melissa Tyndall as vice chancellor for communications

Chairman John Compton presided over a virtual executive-committee meeting that approved the appointment of Melissa Tyndall as the University of Tennessee System's vice chancellor/vice president for communications.

Randy, president of the University of Tennessee System, recommended Tyndall and noted she has been serving in the interim role since November 2018 and previously worked seven years at Knox County Community Schools. Randy told trustees he had consulted chancellors and executive leadership and said the recommendation had "unanimous" enthusiasm among stakeholders.

Trustees were directed to a resolution and an offer letter included in the meeting packet. After a call for motion and a short period for comment, the committee proceeded to a roll-call vote; the clerk recorded aye votes for John Compton, DeCosta Jenkins, Bill Rhodes, Donnie Smith and Jamie Woodson, and the motion carried.

Randy praised Tyndall as "strategic, comprehensive and considerate," and said she had strengthened campus relationships and produced the system's external communications during her interim tenure. Meeting materials included Tyndall's credentials and the offer letter under tab 1.

The committee's action was limited to approving the appointment and compensation as presented; the transcript did not record a named mover for the motion. The resolution and offer letter remain the official record of the appointment and compensation terms.