MEHLHORN NAMED DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES

MEHLHORN NAMED DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDIES

MARTIN, Tenn. – Dr. Joey Mehlhorn, professor of agricultural economics and chair

holder for the Gilbert Parker Chair of Excellence in Agriculture and Natural Resources, was

appointed in July as graduate studies dean at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mehlhorn

has served as the interim dean since 2019.

“During the last two years as interim dean, Dr. Mehlhorn has overseen significant

increases in graduate programs, developed strong partnerships with the program coordinators in

each graduate program, improved the application and review process, and coordinated the

graduate program components of the strategic enrollment plan,” Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier,

university provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, wrote in an email

announcement to university faculty. “… I am confident that Dr. Mehlhorn’s skills as a leader and

collaborator will contribute to the continued growth of graduate studies at UTM.”

Mehlhorn joined UT Martin in 2003 as a faculty member and has since also served as

both assistant director and director of the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Agricultural

Sciences; chair of the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources; interim

chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; and director of the Center of

Excellence in Experiential Learning in the Agricultural Sciences. He earned the rank of full

professor in 2008 and will retain his position as Gilbert Parker Chair of Excellence in the College

of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.

Mehlhorn holds a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness economics from Tennessee

Technological University, and both master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics from

Mississippi State University.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.