Tusculum names administrator, promotes assistant dean to leadership posts

GREENEVILLE – A former provost and vice president of academic affairs with nearly 40 years of administrative and teaching experience in higher education has been named an assistant vice president and a dean at Tusculum University. Dr. Amiel Jarstfer has joined Tusculum as associate vice president for academic innovation and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He will supervise the assistant deans for the Math and Science, Social Science and Humanities divisions, lead the development of new academic programs and execute findings from the ongoing new program study. "We are thrilled to add Dr. Jarstfer to the academic team and will benefit greatly from his expertise," said Dr. David Cook, Tusculum's provost and vice president of academic affairs. "He has a proven track record of producing positive results on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Jarstfer's vast experience will position Tusculum for even greater success by identifying programs of study that will keep us on the cutting edge of higher education." Besides the addition of Dr. Jarstfer, Tusculum has promoted Dr. John Alpers to dean of the School of Business, Education and Sport. He will supervise the assistant deans for the Education and Sport Studies divisions and continue in his role of leading the Business Division. Dr. Alpers also serves as a business professor and director of Tusculum's honors program. Dr. Jarstfer and Dr. Alpers will be responsible for developing the overall strategy and direction of their schools and the supervision and day-to-day academic operation of them. They will also have oversight of personnel leadership, evaluation and development. Tusculum will continue to have assistant deans for each of the programs that fall under the two schools. These educators will manage the daily operational and student-facing matters in concert with their deans, support faculty within their specific disciplines and serve as the boots-on-the-ground academic leaders. "We regularly examine our academic structure to ensure it is serving our students, faculty and university in the best manner," Dr. Cook said. "This new structure will enable us to operate seamlessly by keeping the communication flow strong within the academic enterprise. In addition, it keeps ourselves attuned to having the programs of study in place that prepare our students to be career-ready and achieve their calling and purpose. We will also continue to be aligned with workforce needs." Dr. Jarstfer served as provost and professor of biology for six years at Ashland University in Ohio and was twice named acting president. Among his achievements was establishing new academic programs in industrial and systems engineering in the bachelor's realm and physician assistant studies, business analytics, supply chain and STEM in the graduate sphere. He also created multiple certificate options at graduate, undergraduate and noncredit levels. He implemented regular academic efficiency and effectiveness reporting and control. For eight years, Dr. Jarstfer served in a variety of leadership roles at Lincoln Memorial University, including dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences and culminating in his selection as vice president of academic affairs. During his time there, he created new curricula, including a new Master of Science program, a computer science undergraduate major and a doctorate in integrative biosciences. He started a New Faculty Academy and wrote key elements of the 10-year reaffirmation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. He also designed and supervised the construction of seven natural science teaching labs. Earlier in his higher education career, Dr. Jarstfer served as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Natural Science Division at LeTourneau University in Texas. He has also served as a consultant for academic institutions and companies. Dr. Jarstfer has extensive teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels and is a passionate advocate for high-quality academic advising for student success. He earned a doctorate in plant pathology from the University of Florida and a bachelor's in biology from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He also has certificates in management and leadership in education as well as strategic artificial intelligence. "I am grateful for this opportunity to serve at Tusculum University and continue its heritage of faith-based education," Dr. Jarstfer said. "Tusculum performs excellently in equipping students to be civically engaged and make their mark on their communities after graduation. I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders throughout Tusculum to build on 231 years of success by developing new programs that will mesh well with the university's mission and strengthening existing ones." Dr. Alpers joined Tusculum in 2025 as an assistant professor of business and has quickly risen through the ranks. Soon after his hiring, he was named director of the Honors Program. In January, he became the assistant dean for the Business Division. During his time with the university, Dr. Alpers has helped create the new Master of Arts in Leadership and worked with faculty members, particularly David Hite, to make Tusculum leaders in the teaching and application of artificial intelligence. In March, Tusculum held the Appalachian AI Summit on campus. Dr. Alpers came to Tusculum with more than 20 years of teaching experience. Prior to joining the Tusculum family, Dr. Alpers' classroom résumé included teaching at Carson-Newman University, Strayer University, the University of Phoenix and Tennessee Wesleyan University, all as a business professor. He also has 27 years of experience in business. He worked for Clayton Homes/Vanderbilt Mortgage and Marriott Business Services and served as a consultant, mostly with small businesses in the Knoxville area. "Tusculum is an exceptional university with faculty and staff members who are dedicated to mentoring and working one-on-one with students to produce successful graduates," Dr. Alpers said. "Through our active and experiential approach to learning, our students receive a meaningful education that impacts their lives. I am delighted to partner with Dr. Jarstfer and Dr. Cook and our assistant deans to continue moving Tusculum forward. We have a lot of energy and excitement at the university, and we will tap into it to serve our students and the community." Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum's president, is pleased with new leadership team that is in place in the academic programs. "The most exciting element of our new structure is that we retain a deep connection with the classroom," he said. "Dr. Cook has produced impressive results leading our academic system, and I am confident our updated structure will generate even more impressive outcomes. As a professor at heart, I am focused on ensuring that our students have the best experience possible, and we have the leadership team in place that will yield excellent results." More information about Tusculum and its academic programs is available at www.tusculum.edu.