Christopher Kelley
, President
Christopher is a Senior Academic Advisor in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences working with students in the Health and Human Sciences majors. He earned a Bachelor of Science in History in 2018 from Bethel University in West Tennessee and a Master of Science in College Student Personnel from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2020. As an academic advisor he uses his CliftonStrength of being a Learner to build relationships with students in hopes of helping them develop as lifelong learners. As TennACADA President this year, he hopes to get the opportunity to connect with as many people in the advising and student success community as possible throughout this year.
Christopher is from a small town called Savannah, Tennessee (yes, there is another Savannah that is not in Georgia) and is a proud first generation college graduate. He enjoys hiking and exploring National and State Parks with his wife and has completed over 100 miles hiking in the Smokies. His other hobbies include reading and travel whenever possible.
Heath Cox, Vice President
Heath is a Senior Academic Advisor in the Haslam College of Business. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management in 2016 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from East Tennessee State University in 2020. Prior to becoming an academic advisor, he worked as a One Stop Counselor at UTK, in Admissions Support at Lincoln Memorial University’s Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine and as a Mentor in the Thornton Center at UTK.
Heath is from a small town called Piney Flats, Tennessee. He enjoys rooting for the Vols, playing TTRPGs with his friends, traveling to Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, lifting weights, and spending time with his wife Laurel and their dog Luna.
Ashley Williams, Secretary
Ashley is a Senior Academic Advisor in the Haslam College of Business. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. Advising at UTK has allowed Ashley not only to support students throughout their academic journey, but also work with many students from her hometown.
Ashley is from Maryville, Tennessee. She enjoys cheering for the Vols, reading, keeping up with Big Brother, and spending time with friends and family.
Mike Taylor, Communications Coordinator
Mike is a Master Academic Advisor for the Tickle College of Engineering in the Min Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department. He earned a Master of Arts in History in 2004 and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management in 2019, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Prior to working at the university, he had a wide variety of work experiences in everything from bartending, landscaping, to hotel book-keeping and seafood boat unloading.
Mike has lived in Tennessee long enough to be considered a native. He enjoys reading, seeing live music, traveling to new places, home brewing beer, and spending time with his wife Deb and their dog Jack and cats Moe and Penny!
JeNai Davis, Professional Development Committee Liaison
JeNai is a Senior Academic Advisor for the Tickle College of Engineering working with Civil and Environmental Engineering majors. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Services in 2018 from Wingate University and a Master of Science in Higher Education from Purdue University in 2020. Prior to becoming an academic advisor, JeNai worked on diversity, equity, and inclusion programming at private, liberal arts universities in North Carolina.
JeNai is from Greensboro, North Carolina. She enjoys reading, listening to crime podcasts, and spending time with her two dogs!