Dr. Jimmy G. Cheek is the seventh chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Prior to his appointment as chancellor, Dr. Cheek served at the University of Florida (UF) for 34 years, where he held numerous administrative roles. He was senior vice president of agricultural and natural resources, dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), assistant dean of the College of Agriculture, and assistant chair of his department.

He served as assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education upon his arrival at UF in 1975. He then earned the rank of associate professor and was ultimately promoted to full professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication in 1985, a title he held until his departure from Florida.

Dr. Cheek held pivotal positions in professional organizations and has served in many leadership and governance roles while at UF. His numerous awards during this time include Teacher of the Year for CALS, Alpha Zeta Professor of the Year, and first recipient of the University of Florida Faculty Superior Accomplishment Award. He is a Fellow of the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and was awarded the Ensminger-Interstate Distinguished Teaching Award. He received the Morton Wolfson Faculty Award in 1998 for outstanding contributions to the quality of student life at the University of Florida.

In 1999, he was named one of 30 Notable Graduates of the College of Education at Texas A&M University; and in 2005, he became a fellow in the American Association for Agricultural Education. Other honors include the Student Body Resolution from the UF Student Senate for outstanding service to students as well as the President’s Medallion for dedicated and loyal services to the university, both awarded in his last year at UF.

His research has focused on the influence of experiential learning on student achievement and educational accountability. Dr. Cheek has authored more than 80 journal articles and reports and is the senior author of a book. He is a member of Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Gamma Sigma Delta, Alpha Zeta, and Phi Delta Kappa honor societies and a member of many professional organizations.

Dr. Cheek earned his B.S. degree with high honors and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He received his master’s degree from Lamar University.

A native of Texas, he is married to Ileen. They have two adult children and one granddaughter.