UT President John Petersen announced Monday, Jan. 7, that Jan Simek has recently accepted the role of interim chancellor at the Univeristy of Tennessee in response to the resignation of former Chancellor Loren Crabtree.

I am confident in his ability to lead the flagship campus through this transition.

UT President John Petersen

Simek has spent nearly all of his career at UT since coming here as assistant professor of anthropology in 1984. He has had many roles since then, such as former chief of staff under Crabtree since 2005, as well as a distinguished professor of anthropology. Simek also spent two years serving as the interim dean of UT's College of Architecture and Design.

Simek feels that this transition will only bring stability for UT in areas such as student success, diversity and UT programs. 

Simek has a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz as well as a master's from State University New York at Binghamton. His research in archeology has allowed him to study abroad in many places such as France, Italy and Croatia.

While Simek steps into his role as interim chancellor and immediately begins work on regular duties, a committee is to be formed which will aid in the search for a permanent chancellor.