An accomplished professor and leader with a breadth and depth of experience teaching English, theater and communication and practical experience in those fields has been promoted to assistant dean of the Humanities Division at Tusculum University
Chris Allen will oversee the English, art and design and communication academic programs as well as the classroom and stage elements for the arts. He will serve as a member of the Academic Council along with the other five assistant deans and continue to teach courses as an assistant professor of English.
“We are excited to recognize Chris’ excellent performance and impressive portfolio with this promotion,” said Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Chris has quickly established himself as a respected colleague, thoughtful leader and dedicated member of the Tusculum family. He has demonstrated a genuine heart for students, a collaborative spirit and a deep commitment to Tusculum’s Christian mission. These qualities, coupled with his academic and administrative gifts, make him well suited to serve as assistant dean for the Humanities Division.”
Allen will work closely with Dr. Amiel Jarstfer, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, to provide leadership and support for the humanities faculty and programs. Dr. Cook said he is glad Allen will continue to teach so he maintains a strong connection to the classroom. That will enable him to work one-on-one with students he mentors and share experiences with faculty he will supervise.
The division has amassed considerable success, including an alumnus winning the National Book Award for poetry. Tusculum holds regular theater, band and chorus performances in the university’s two theaters and public exhibits in the Clem Allison Gallery. The division also features a debate team that has grown and produced solid outcomes.
A Tusculum family member for a year, Allen has taught composition, media writing, scriptwriting and intermediate creative writing classes. He has also served on the university’s Christian Leadership Institute Task Force and has spoken at the weekly chapel service. In addition, he participated in the search for an education professor.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to lead the Humanities Division,” Allen said. “We are blessed with outstanding faculty in this division, who are not only experts in their fields but are focused on helping our students recognize and develop their gifts inside and outside the classroom. I look forward to collaborating with the faculty and colleagues across the university to help our students discover their calling and purpose and achieve through active and experiential learning in a caring Christian environment. Together, we will produce career-ready professionals.”
Allen’s lengthy career includes service at higher education institutions such as Lander University, North Greenville University, Union University and Piedmont Technical College. Among his other teaching locations are Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Volunteer State Virtual Academy in Knoxville and Madison High School in Marshall, North Carolina.
He brings an extensive background in teaching a variety of English classes, such as American, British and Southern literature; classical mythology; fiction and poetry writing; business and professional communication; and playwriting. He also served as director of news and media relations for Union University.
He is a prolific writer, whose work has appeared in a number of creative publications. He has also written and directed multiple plays and acted in many others.
Allen has accumulated professional experience outside academia as well. He was the director of correspondence for former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist, public information officer for the state Fire Marshal’s Office, a youth minister, a sales representative, a disc jockey, an education reporter and editor and an installation specialist for an equipment company.
“The Humanities Division will be in excellent hands with Chris,” Dr. Jarstfer said. “Tusculum’s impact in the creative writing space has been a hallmark of a Tusculum education, and our theater and art programs have been key places for our students to grow their skills and further build our relationship with the community. Our communication students are also making their mark in the profession. With Chris at the helm, I envision our success and imprint will continue to grow as these programs flourish.”
More information about the university and its academic programs is available at www.tusculum.edu. To apply for admission, please visit <https://site.tusculum.edu/apply-visit/apply/>.
