KNOXVILLE (SUBMITTED)-- Bonnie Yegidis has been named Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success for the University of Tennessee system.

This appointment replaces longtime UT administrator Robert Levy, who retired on Dec. 31, 2007. Yegidis will begin on Sept. 1.

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Yegidis. She comes with great experience and credentials from her previous roles in academic leadership," said UT President John Petersen. "This is a critical position for the academic excellence of the university, and I appreciate the diligent work of the search committee."

Yegidis was vice president for academic affairs and provost at Florida Gulf Coast University from 2004 to 2007. In her new position, Yegidis will oversee academic and student affairs for the UT system. She will coordinate activities with UT campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin, the Space Institute in Tullahoma and the Health Science Center in Memphis.

The position serves as staff to the academic and student affairs committee of the UT board of trustees and coordinates mission statements, academic strategic plans, establishment and revision of academic organizations and the admission, progression and retention standards.

Yegidis also will serve as liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, the Southern Regional Education Board and the Tennessee Board of Education and Department of Education.

Katherine High, associate vice president for academic and student success since 2005, temporarily filled the position as an interim since January.

"I thank Dr. High for her interim service and willingness to step in to help the university through this transition," Petersen said.

Prior to her post at Florida Gulf Coast University, Yegidis was associate vice president for academic affairs and associate provost at the University of Georgia from 2003 to 2004. She also served as dean and professor of the School of Social Work at UGA from 1995 to 2003.

Yegidis earned her bachelor's degree at Montclair State University and her master's of social work at West Virginia University. She earned her doctorate at the University of South Florida.

While earning her doctorate and afterward, she rose through the School of Social Work at the University of South Florida from an instructor to professor and director and eventually faculty assistant to the president before taking a job at UGA.

In 2007, she was selected by the American Council on Education for the Institute for Chief Academic Officers. Yegidis received the Distinguished Alumna Award for the School of Social Work at West Virginia University in 2005.

She has written numerous articles and reports, given many presentations, edited journals and received several grants and contracts in social work. She is co-author of "Research Methods for Social Workers," which is in its sixth edition. Her research focused on domestic violence, child welfare, international social work and health care.

Yegidis has served on many professional and community service boards. She was on the president's executive committee, board of trustees and foundation board at Florida Gulf Coast University.

(Information submitted by The University of Tennessee.)