Robert W. Pearigen, C’76, is Sewanee’s 18th vice-chancellor and president. Pearigen returns to Sewanee from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he served as president for 13 years. Before leaving Sewanee for Millsaps in 2010, he held several executive positions at the University, including dean of students and vice president for university relations.
Dr. Sibby Anderson-Thompkins has over twenty-five years as a senior-level administrator in higher education with extensive experience leading diversity, equity, and inclusion-related initiatives, strategic planning, program assessments and evaluation. Before her arrival in Sewanee, she served as the special advisor to the chancellor and provost for equity and inclusion, interim chief diversity and professor of practice in Public Policy 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.
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.
A graduate of the School of Theology (M.Div. in 2000 and D.Min. in 2008), The Rev. Dr. Martin currently serves on the Alumni Council of the School of Theology and has served on the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents. Her ministry has included service as campus chaplain for the Episcopal Church at the University of Florida; rector of St. George Episcopal Church on St. George Island, Florida; cathedral canon at St . Mark's Cathedral, Seattle; associate rector at St. John's Church, Boulder, Colorado; and, most recently, interim rector at St. John's Episcopal Church in Norman, Oklahoma. Being blessed to serve as a priest in the Episcopal Church for twenty-three years, Nancee enjoys serving with students, staff, faculty, and the community, and is energized by collaborations and partnerships across the University and with alumni of the college and School of Theology. She is committed to reinforcing the value of our Episcopal heritage and identity that is open, generous, and thoughtful.
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 across the Domain intended to expand residential, commercial, and programmatic opportunities.
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.
Jim Turrell, Vice Provost and Dean of the School of Theology
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.
