Dr. Claude Pressnell, Jr., President of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA), recently announced that he will soon retire after 28 years representing Tennessee’s 34 private colleges and universities on a state and federal level.
As a first-generation college student and Pell Grant recipient, Pressnell has dedicated his career to expanding access to higher education. Pressnell’s leadership has played a key role in securing more than $1.5 billion in student aid to ensure Tennessee students have the financial support they need to attend the college that best fits their academic and social needs.
“I appreciate Dr. Claude Pressnell’s decades of service in higher education and commitment to ensuring the success of Tennessee students,” said Governor Bill Lee. “Maria and I congratulate Dr. Pressnell on his retirement and wish him the best in this new season.”
“Dr. Claude Pressnell’s name is truly synonymous with higher education policy. He is a leader among leaders in this work and highly respected across Tennessee and the country,” said Candice McQueen, Ph.D., President, Lipscomb University, and TICUA board member. “Claude has served the TICUA presidents and our legislators with expertise and service that is truly second to none. We will miss his quick intuition and his depth of knowledge.”
Pressnell’s collaborative efforts with nearly 160 Tennessee college presidents over the course of his career have shaped the state’s educational landscape and positioned TICUA as a national advocate for independent colleges and universities.
“Claude will be greatly missed. He’s brought an insight into private colleges, and more importantly those students, to the legislature. He’s developed strong relationships and I know we count on him for his integrity and honesty,” said Senate Education Committee Chairman, Senator Jon Lundberg (Bristol).
In addition to his service to TICUA, the United States Senate appointed Pressnell to serve as Vice Chair on the Advisory Committee for Student Financial Assistance (ACSFA) from 2003 to 2008, during which he testified before Congress on higher education policy.
In August of 2013, Governor Bill Haslam appointed Pressnell as a Commissioner representing the state’s interests on the Education Commission of the States (ECS), and in 2014, he was appointed by four U.S. Senators to serve on a committee to reduce the federal regulatory burden on higher education in the United States.
Pressnell currently chairs the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), providing recommendations on accrediting agencies monitoring the academic quality of postsecondary institutions and educational programs.
“During my visits to Capitol Hill, I am amazed by Dr. Pressnell’s ability to tell the Tennessee independent higher education story,” said Logan Hampton, President of Lane College. “As he speaks to members of the TN congregational delegation, Dr. Pressnell passionately weaves together an appeal for our collective support that includes the full diversity of our institutions. He knows our student bodies, our programs, and some of our faculty. He is our chief ambassador.”
Pressnell has also guided higher education reform internationally in Southeast Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Central and South Asia. As a Fulbright Senior Specialist grant recipient in 2011, he contributed to the student financing policy adopted by the Maldivian Parliament.
“It’s been an honor to represent Tennessee’s private colleges and universities for nearly three decades and I’m so proud of the progress we’ve been able to make on behalf of all Tennessee students,” said Dr. Claude Pressnell, President of TICUA. “I could not have gone to college without financial aid. It made my liberal arts education possible and changed my life. We must allow everyone that same opportunity to achieve their goals.”
TICUA will now begin the search for its next president. The TICUA Board of Directors is planning to welcome Pressnell’s successor in late summer and has asked Pressnell to ensure a smooth transition.
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