Finalists
Finalists have been selected in the search for the next chancellor of the University of Tennessee Southern (UTS). The University of Tennessee Southern (UTS) will host the first finalist for the UTS chancellor position on Tuesday, April 22. The finalist will be on campus to meet with representative groups of faculty, staff, students and key community leaders. The first finalist will participate in a campus public forum session in the Gault Fine Arts Recital Hall at 3 p.m. CT. Forums for the other candidates are scheduled for April 23 and April 24 in the Gault Fine Arts Recital Hall at 3 p.m. CT. The forums are open to the public. Finalist names and background information will be provided one day prior to each public forum. Feedback forms will be available the day of the candidate’s visit. The deadline to submit feedback is Monday, April 28 at 5 p.m. CT.
Public Forum Sessions
Reinhold Hill, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor and Dean, Indiana University Columbus
Dr. Reinhold Hill has over 20 years of experience in higher education, currently serving as Vice Chancellor and Dean at Indiana University Columbus. In this role, he oversees campus operations, academic programs, enrollment management, and community partnerships. He has been instrumental in launching new academic programs, expanding enrollment, and increasing diversity.
Previously, Dr. Hill served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Governors State University and in various leadership roles at Ferris State University. His scholarly work focuses on English and folklore, and he has contributed to academic leadership through numerous publications and presentations. Dr. Hill holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Missouri and has a strong background in strategic planning, faculty development, and institutional growth.
Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2025
3:00 p.m. CT
Gault Fine Arts Recital Hall
Pulaski, TN
Melinda Arnold, Ph.D.
Special Assistant to the President at Texas A&M University-Texarkana
Dr. Melinda Arnold is a higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience in academic administration, student success, and public service. She currently serves as Special Assistant to the President at Texas A&M University–Texarkana, where she previously held the role of Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Her work has focused on expanding access, launching high-demand academic programs, and driving enrollment growth. During her tenure, the university achieved record enrollment gains, expanded student support services, and secured millions in grants and external funding.
Prior to joining TAMUT, Dr. Arnold served as Provost at Montana State University Billings and held academic leadership positions at the University of North Texas at Dallas and Texas A&M University. Her background also includes executive roles in criminal justice organizations and extensive grant and policy development experience.
Dr. Arnold holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University, an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Northwestern University, and a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on criminal justice and offender reentry and is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Institute for Educational Management.
Wednesday, Apr. 23, 2025
3:00 p.m. CT
Gault Fine Arts Recital Hall
Pulaski, TN
Kevin Snider, Ph.D.
Chancellor Emeritus at Penn State New Kensington
Dr. Kevin Snider is a seasoned higher education leader with more than 25 years of experience in academic administration and community-based economic development. As Chancellor of Penn State New Kensington from 2008 to 2025, Dr. Snider transformed the campus into a hub of innovation, economic revitalization, student success, and educational opportunity.
During his tenure, Dr. Snider launched the Nextovation™ initiative, a collaborative model for Rust Belt renewal and future ready skills and education, that secured over $60 million in combined investments. He also established key programs such as the GREAT engineering pipeline, the Corner Launchbox entrepreneurial hub, the Future of Work Faculty Academy of Southwest Pennsylvania, ABC/Create (a consortium of 14 k-12 systems focused on preparing students for the digital age), and the Digital Foundry, an Industry 4.0 learning and innovation center.
Before joining Penn State, Dr. Snider held multiple leadership roles at Indiana State University, including Chief of Staff to the President and Interim Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from The American University and has taught courses in political science and international relations. His work has appeared in academic journals focused on higher education, policy, and community engagement.
Thursday, Apr. 24, 2025
3:00 p.m. CT
Gault Fine Arts Recital Hall
Pulaski, TN