History

About the James H. Quillen Chair of Excellence in Education

The James H. Quillen Chair of Excellence in Education is an endowed chair in the Clemmer College established specifically to address issues related to teaching, its relationship to learning, innovative practice and problem solving. The Quillen Chair, established in 1994, honors former First District Congressman James H. Quillen, who represented Northeast Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives for well over 30 years. 

Dr. Dawn A. Rowe, Current Chair

Dr. Dawn A. Rowe is a professor of special education and currently serves as the interim director of the Center for Rural Education and Development. She is deeply committed to research excellence and is passionate about translating knowledge into practice—particularly through strategies that help bridge the gap between research and real-world application in education settings.

As a researcher, Dr. Rowe focuses on identifying and implementing evidence-based practices such as family engagement, self-management, and social skills. She also examines how factors like school climate, professional development, and contextual variables—such as positive behavioral supports (PBS), class size, and classroom culture—can influence both in-school and post-secondary outcomes for individuals.

In her role as the Quillen Chair of Excellence, Dr. Rowe is dedicated to strengthening the capacity of faculty, staff, and students in both teaching and research. Her ultimate goal is to drive systemic change that improves education and health outcomes across the region.

Former James H. Quillen Chairs of Excellence in Education

 

Chairholder Dr. Wayne Worner (Inaugural Year)

Dr. Wayne Worner served as the inaugural chairholder, holding the position for one year. His primary role was to assist Clemmer College in refining and defining the scope of the Quillen Chair of Excellence to better align with the college’s evolving needs. His foundational work provided the basis for subsequent appointments and strategic focus.

Chairholder Dr. Sam Minner (Second Chairholder)

Following Dr. Worner’s tenure, Dr. Sam Minner was appointed as the second chairholder. During his three-year term, Dr. Minner significantly advanced collaboration between the college and local school districts. His leadership also contributed to securing more than $200,000 in grant funding, further supporting educational initiatives within the region.

Chairholder Dr. James McLean (2000–2005)

Dr. James McLean brought over three decades of teaching experience and more than two decades of administrative leadership to his role at ETSU. Prior to joining the university, he served as a research professor and founding director of the Center for Educational Accountability at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. During his tenure as chairholder, Dr. McLean directed, co-directed, or administered more than 100 research, assessment, and evaluation projects, with total funding exceeding $5 million. His extensive expertise helped strengthen research infrastructure and accountability practices within the college.

Chairholder Dr. Mark D. Musick (2006–2014)

Dr. Mark D. Musick joined ETSU following his tenure as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), where he continued to serve as President Emeritus. As chairholder, Dr. Musick leveraged his extensive network, organizational knowledge, and policy expertise to forge strong linkages between the university and regional and national education boards. His work elevated ETSU’s visibility and bolstered its P-16 agenda, reinforcing the university’s commitment to comprehensive education reform.

Chairholder Dr. Aimee Lee Govett (2014–2020)

Dr. Aimee Lee Govett, a professor of science education in the Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education, focused her tenure on developing innovative approaches to science instruction across elementary, middle, and secondary education. She served as co-principal investigator on five major National Science Foundation (NSF) grants and principal investigator on two Tennessee Higher Education Commission proposals, securing over $5 million in combined funding. Dr. Govett also contributed to national scholarship through four refereed journal publications and a book chapter, and she delivered numerous presentations at international, national, and regional conferences.