Dr. Mary Poston Tanner has been appointed Interim Director of the Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies, known for its contributions in research, collecting and analyzing data from the Chattanooga area. Tanner is the former Interim Provost and Dean of the College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies at UTC.
Dr. Mary Tanner
Tanner is charged with overseeing research projects and moving forward with a new initiative called Ochs Indicators, a community dashboard created to provide access to city and regional data. Schools, hospitals, and governments will find this data helpful.
Prior to Tanner’s appointment, the Ochs Center had reached out to several departments at the University to discuss collaborative research efforts. Tanner sees benefits for both the Center and the University as the entities work together.
“I want to explore the best way UTC can partner with the Ochs Center—there are opportunities for our students to participate in research,” Tanner said.
To facilitate the partnership between the University and the Ochs Center, Tanner is hopeful a position can be created at the Center for a lead researcher to work with faculty and students at UTC. The position would keep research focused and delivered on time.
The Ochs Center is housed in a building owned by UTC, located on the McCallie Avenue side of campus.
Tanner has held a 40 year career at UTC. Most recently, she was honored with the 2013 Special Recognition for Outstanding University Service Award.
