East Tennessee State University (ETSU) reported its highest fall-to-spring persistence rates since 2020 during the quarterly meeting of the Board of Trustees held earlier today. More than 92% of fall 2024 students returned for the spring 2025 semester, with 90.4% of first-year students continuing their studies into the spring semester.
“These persistence numbers are a testament to the dedicated and personalized support the ETSU community provides its students,” President Dr. Brian Noland said. “Our goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”
ETSU Police Department earns prestigious accreditation
The board also received a report that the ETSU Police Department recently earned the 1st Accreditation Award from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. The award, conferred on Feb. 5, is valid for three years, demonstrating the department’s ongoing commitment to delivering an exemplary level of police service to the university community.
“This prestigious accreditation reflects the caring and professionalism of our campus police officers,” Noland said. “We are incredibly proud of their efforts to maintain a safe and secure environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors and to serve as a resource for our entire community.”
Policy on artificial intelligence in academic instruction
The board also approved a new Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Academic Instruction. This policy provides guidelines for incorporating AI tools into the classroom while maintaining academic integrity and promoting ethical use.
“With AI rapidly changing the educational and workforce landscapes, it is crucial that we provide clear guidance to faculty and students on how to leverage these tools responsibly,” Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, ETSU provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, said. “This policy ensures that ETSU remains at the forefront of innovative teaching while upholding the highest standards of academic integrity.”
Updates from the College of Health Sciences
During the morning committee meetings, members of the board heard updates from Dr. Jeff Snodgrass, the new dean of the College of Health Sciences, who outlined strategic initiatives aimed at advancing health care education, increasing research activity and expanding community partnerships. Snodgrass highlighted the expansion of academic programs designed to meet workforce needs in the health care sector and enhance community health outcomes.
“ETSU has long been established as one of the premier health sciences institutions not only in Tennessee but throughout the southeast United States,” McCorkle said. “The recently restructured College of Health Sciences is designed to address the growing demand for health care professionals across a wide range of specializations and to further bridge teaching, research and clinical practices.”
The College of Health Sciences is one of five health colleges within ETSU’s Academic Health Sciences Center, which drives coordinated health care, innovation and quality in the region. The Academic Health Sciences Center also includes the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, the College of Public Health, the Quillen College of Medicine and the College of Nursing.
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.
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