Vice-Chancellor's Cabinet Members

Robert W. Pearigen, C’76, is Sewanee’s 18th vice-chancellor and president. Pearigen returned to Sewanee in 2023 from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he served as president for 13 years. After graduating from Sewanee in 1976, he earned master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from Duke University. He previously held several executive positions at Sewanee, including dean of students and vice president for University Relations, while also teaching courses in constitutional law and political theory. Vice-Chancellor Pearigen is a professor in the Department of Politics.

Previously, Dr. Anderson-Thompkins spent over four years as the vice provost/vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer overseeing the Office of Inclusive Excellence, and the offices of Equity and Equal Opportunity, ADA and Title IX. Currently, she oversees Community Building and Connections, the Roberson Project, Truth Community Healing, and Transformation Center, and the Indigenous Engagement Initiative. Anderson-Thompkins is a recognized regional and national leader with over thirty years as a senior-level administrator in higher education with extensive experience leading diversity, equity, and inclusion-related initiatives and campus-wide strategic planning, faculty, staff, and student diversity and professional development. Over the course of her career, she has held deanships in student affairs and academic advising at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Hampshire College, and Agnes Scott College. Before she arrived at Sewanee, she served as the special advisor to the Chancellor and Provost for equity and inclusion and interim chief diversity officer at UNC Chapel Hill.

Known for her many contributions to the University of the South, Campbell has served in various roles during her 16-year career in higher education. At Sewanee she has held the positions of assistant director of admissions, director of residential life and of community development, assistant vice president of government and strategic partnerships, and recently as chief of staff/special assistant to the Vice-Chancellor and President for Administration and Community Relations. She co-created the University’s Intergroup Dialogue Course, Philanthropy Course, and 213-A Leaders Program. 

Prior to being named Dean of the College, Dr. Cooley served as interim dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences and professor of Spanish at Northern Iowa University.  Cooley has also served in several other leadership roles, first as associate head and then as head of the Department of Languages and Literatures (which includes English, TESOL, Spanish, and French); then, as an associate dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences. Her teaching has covered a range of topics, including Spanish peninsular and Latin American literature and culture, immigration, film, translation, and language classes. She has published a book, Courtiers, Courtesans, Pícaros, and Prostitutes: The Art and Artifice of Selling One’s Self in Golden Age Spain (2002), along with several articles. She also co-authored and directed the bilingual play Carne Viva: Stories of Madres and Monarchs in Postville (2011) based on testimonials collected during three years of ethnographic research with Guatemalan workers in Postville, Iowa. 

Chris brings to Sewanee more than 25 years of deeply rooted service in the Episcopal Church, including leadership in parishes of all sizes and in educational settings. From 2011 to 2025,  he served as rector of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, VA - an historic congregation in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg with a vibrant liturgical life, a strong commitment to community outreach, and a close relationship with the College of William and Mary. His work there included significant pastoral, liturgical, and reconciliation initiatives, as well as thoughtful engagement with student ministry and public witness.

Jay brings extensive experience to the Vice President role in University Relations. He led the department from 2010 to 2020, directing the Stronger Truer Sewanee campaign, which raised more than $295 million for the University. Jay has previously served the University as the executive director of the Associated Alumni from 2000 to 2006, as interim director of Marketing and Communications in 2006-07, and as interim dean of Admission and Financial Aid in 2009-10. During this interim period, Jay will build on the solid foundation of fundraising and stewardship already in place as the University Relations team prepares for Tiger Tuesday, continues the feasibility study for the University's next capital campaign, and works to implement a new customer relationship management platform. Jay will also continue his role as secretary to the Board of Trustees.

Isabelle Love brings significant financial planning and analytical experience to her role. Prior to joining Sewanee in 2025, Isabelle spent a decade working on budgeting and strategic planning at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She began her career at Princeton University Investment Company and Goldman Sachs.

Before returning to Sewanee in 2011 to manage the University’s marketing and communications efforts, Parker spent 25 years developing creative, strategic, and technology groups to implement campaigns and drive results. Now, Parker leads a team that tells Sewanee stories to enhance its reputation, broaden its reach, and strengthen its bonds with students, alumni, and our community.

Alan Ramirez has over 15 years of experience within selective college admission, recruitment, and college counseling. Prior to moving to Sewanee in 2021, Alan served as associate vice president and dean of admission at Austin College in Sherman, TX. Alan is responsible for broadening the national reach and the demographic make-up of the University.

Kevin provides vision and strategic leadership for Sewanee’s Library and Information Technology Services based on more than 25 years’ experience in higher education and museum settings. Most recently, Kevin held leadership positions at the Corning Museum of Glass and at Wofford College. Prior to that, Kevin served for many years in a variety of roles in Sewanee’s duPont Library. With his return to Sewanee as CIO, Kevin contributes to the advancement of the educational mission of the University through collaboration, inspiration and innovation, and by leveraging the transformative impact libraries and technology can have in higher education. Along with his talented team of professionals, Kevin works with all corners of the University to weave library and IT services and resources seamlessly into the University’s curricular and co-curricular activities.

Entering his 36th season with the University, Shackelford has been serving as Sewanee’s director of tennis for the last three-plus years after leading the men’s tennis program for 33 seasons. During his tenure as coach, the men’s tennis team won 551 career matches and 12 conference titles, and made 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Before returning in 2017 to manage the Babson Center for Global Commerce, David had a 25 year career in the private sector as a technology and media executive. In his current role, David leads the effort to consider and implement initiatives described in the University's strategic plan focused on residential and commercial real estate initiatives that create a greater sense of community for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors to Sewanee.

Marquitte Starkey has more than 25 years of legal practice, in-house and private law firm experience. She spent the last 14 years with the University of Denver, most recently as their deputy general counsel overseeing transactional and operational matters. Prior to that, Marquitte owned and operated a small business and specialized in mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and corporate finance.

The Very Rev. James F. Turrell, an ordained priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, was appointed vice president and dean of the School of Theology on July 1, 2020. He joined the faculty of the School of Theology in 2002, most recently serving as the School’s professor of liturgy. He, along with the School’s faculty and staff, prepares students to be effective clergy and lay leaders for The Episcopal Church of the 21st century. The School is one of 9 accredited seminaries of The Episcopal Church.

Scott Wilson was appointed Provost of the University, effective July 1, 2024, after serving as Acting Provost since January 2022. He has also served as the Assistant Provost for Global and Strategic Partnerships and as Vice Provost for Planning and Strategic Initiatives. As Provost, Wilson serves as our accreditation liaison and is also responsible for strategic planning, academic relations with other institutions, and assisting with the University budget. Along with his administrative service, Wilson has extensive experience in the classroom and supporting the University’s academic mission. He was Associate Dean for Global Citizenship, the founding director of the Asian Studies Program, chair of the Politics Department for 12 years, and has been a member of the politics faculty for 30 years, having served as the Alfred Walter Negley Professor of Politics from 2013 to 2022.