University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chancellor Steven R. Angle has appointed Dr. Artanya Wesley as the University’s next vice chancellor of enrollment management and student affairs.
Dr. Artanya Wesley
Wesley, who will assume her new duties on Feb. 5, 2024, comes to UTC from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she has served as vice chancellor for student affairs since 2019. She was selected after a highly competitive national search prompted by the departure of Dr. Yancy Freeman, who accepted the chancellor position at UT Martin.
“Dr. Wesley rose to the top of a highly competitive national search and is the ideal candidate to direct UTC in this crucial position, bringing a wealth of experience, insight and relational resources to our campus,” Angle said. “She will challenge and inspire us to continue transforming and growing our student-focused campus culture and dramatically expand engagement within our campus community.
“Her career in higher education has given her knowledge and expertise in strategic enrollment management, and growth will be key as we work towards our 2030 strategic plan. She also possesses experience in strategic planning and financial management. Her skills and attributes align with our mission of developing a Mocs experience where students, staff and faculty are positioned for success and thrive.”
In her role at UW-Whitewater, a comprehensive four-year public institution, Wesley led efforts in creating, implementing and assessing co-curricular educational experiences for all students. Her responsibilities included supervising 200 academic and university staff, 574 student employees, and department oversight of numerous divisions, including the Office of Student Affairs, Dean of Students Office, Center for Students with Disabilities, University Counseling Services, University Health Services, University Center, Dining Services, Veteran Services, Career Services, University Housing and Residence Life, Children Center, Student Activity and Involvement, Greek Life, Pride Center and the Center for Inclusive Education and Employment.
“When I looked at the mission and the values of UTC, it really spoke to my ‘why,’” Wesley said. “When I think about the work we do every day supporting student success and why I stepped into higher education, Chattanooga’s mission and values speak to the understanding that professionals in higher education institutions exist because of the students. We have the opportunity to change students’ lives, to help them thrive, to help them identify their interests and passions to achieve their goals and to seek out their dreams. To have an opportunity to be a part of that every day, that’s why I do this work.
“When I had the opportunity to interview and engage with every constituency group across campus, it confirmed that this is where I needed to be. I felt connected. I felt motivated. I felt like this was a place where not only could I flourish and add value, but I could learn and grow as well.
“I love and am excited about the work already happening here and to be a part of a campus community that is so in tune with the student experience and emphasizes collaboration and partnership. I want to be a part of something great. I want to be a part of a campus community that values integrity, that values thinking about the experience of students and how to be innovative and creative. That’s exactly what speaks to my ‘why.’”
Wesley joined UW-Whitewater in 2016 after four years as senior academic planner for student affairs for the University of Wisconsin System. The UW System comprises 13 four-year and 13 two-year institutions and enrolls more than 174,000 students, making it one of the country’s largest public higher education systems.
She began her professional career in 2006 as a student affairs specialist and resident hall director at her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She progressed up the student affairs ladder, rising from assistant dean of students to assistant to the assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, then to dean of students.
She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counselor education from UW-Platteville and a doctoral degree in educational psychology from Capella University in Minneapolis.
Wesley is a member of the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the Association for Student Conduct Administration. Among her many honors, she received a Milwaukee Business Journal Women of Influence Award in 2022.
“Dr. Wesley is a fantastic addition to our leadership team,” Angle said. “She has proven to be an exceptional and collaborative leader and, coming from a similar-sized institution in a statewide system, understands the goals, values and community ties that UTC possesses.”
In making the announcement, Angle thanked the search committee, led by Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Jerold Hale, and campus community members who participated in the interview process and campus open forums. He also praised the work of Interim Vice Chancellor Stacie Grisham and the Enrollment Management and Student Affairs staff during the search process, a period in which “Stacie and the EMSA staff skillfully oversaw the arrival of the largest first-year class in UTC history, consisting of 2,359 first-time, full-time students.”
