Meet the Team

Julie A. Roberts, PhD

Chief Academic Officer

Julie A. Roberts serves as the Chief Academic Officer for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). In this role, she is responsible for the coordination of new academic programs among Tennessee’s public universities, academic policies, general education, transfer pathways, and the Tennessee Accreditation Network. Much of her recent work has focused on aligning credentials in a meaningful way to build clear pathways for students across all types of postsecondary institutions. Before joining THEC, Julie was the Director of Policy and Research at Complete Tennessee, a higher education policy and advocacy organization. Julie has also worked at Tennessee State University (TSU) in various student success roles culminating as the Director of Academic Success Services and Learning Support Centers. Julie holds degrees in Public Policy and Administration (PhD) and Business (MBA) from TSU, and a dual degree in English and Spanish (BA) from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. 

Katherine Brackett, PhD 

Senior Director of Academic Affairs 

Dr. Katie Brackett serves as Senior Director of Academic Affairs at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, where she assists with new program approval, manages the Academic Program Inventory (API)—which catalogues programming at all public Tennessee institutions of higher education, and serves as state co-coordinator of the Academic Common Market, a tuition savings program. Brackett currently leads taskforces examining program modality definitions and certificate definitions for the state, and will launch statewide collaborative research on general education redesign in 2024. Prior to joining THEC’s staff, Brackett worked as a Research Assistant Professor of History and General Education at Middle Tennessee State University, where she taught general education history courses and supported the campus’s revision of its general education curriculum through research, strategic planning, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Brackett has published a number of articles and book chapters on historical topics and has presented at numerous national conferences on leading general education and assessment change. Brackett earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and English at the University of Georgia, a Master of Arts in History from West Virginia University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in History from the University of Georgia.

Tracy T. Comer, EdD 

Senior Director of Articulation and Transfer 

Dr. Tracy Comer serves as the Senior Director of Articulation and Transfer for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. She is responsible for the coordination and outreach efforts with higher education institutions in the state of TN. Specifically, supporting THEC’s statewide initiatives related to the enhancement of articulation and transfer resources such as Reverse Transfer, Tennessee Transfer Pathways, and other activities associated with the Articulation and Transfer Council and sub-councils. Working in higher education for over 20 years has been the catalyst for Tracy embracing her passion of learning and technology. As both a non-traditional and transfer student, she has a keen level of investment in the success of all students. Tracy earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis and a Masters and Doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. 

Gregg Crawford, MBA

Director of Veterans Transition & Outreach 

Gregg Crawford is the Director of Veterans Transition & Outreach for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. He manages the VETS Campus designation and the Veteran Reconnect Grant. Gregg served four years in the United States Marine Corps before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Professional Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. An Eagle Scout from northern Michigan, Gregg understood the value of student organizations and of continuing service. As the president of the student veterans’ chapter, Gregg advocated for the support of student veterans and military families largely experiencing academia for the first time.

Maya Robinson, MPS

Academic Affairs Coordinator

Maya Robinson is the Academic Affairs Coordinator at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and is also the state co-coordinator of the Academic Common Market,  a tuition savings program for college students in 15 SREB states who wish to pursue degrees that are not offered by public institutions. Prior to joining THEC's staff, Robinson worked as a Program Coordinator at Tennessee State University on the CADENCE Quality Enhancement Plan. This plan aimed to promote student success through holistic, integrative advising, student support resources, and the integration of educational and career planning. Maya also has a background in marketing and advertising from her time at the Buntin Group, where she served as Associate Brand Manager for the Tennessee Education Lottery. In this role, she was responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of brand strategy and various marketing activities, including radio, television, print advertising, multi-dimensional marketing, social media management, promotions, and innovation. Maya holds a Master of Professional Studies with certifications in Performance Coaching and Organizational Leadership from Lipscomb University, a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Tennessee State University, and a license in Cosmetology from Aveda Institute-Nashville. 

Brooke Vo, B.A.

Special Projects Manager

Brooke Vo serves in the role of Special Projects Manager within the Bureau of Academic Affair and will assist the team with New Academic Program Approval, General Education, logistics, and Bureau- wide coordination efforts. Brooke is currently a graduate student in the School of Psychology M.A./Ed.S program a tthe University of Memphis and aims to contribute to the important work of promo􀆟ng access and success in post-secondary education. 

Caroline LaPlue, M.A.

Instructional Materials Survey Coordinator/Academic Affairs Intern

The Bureau of Academic Affairs is pleased to welcome their newest intern, Ms. Caroline LaPlue. Caroline is receiving her Doctorate in English at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and will be working on THEC’s Open Educational Resources (OER) under the guidance of Dr. Julie Roberts, Chief Academic Officer and the Academic Review Team.

Mitch Currey, MPA

Senior Director of Workforce & Economic Development 

Mitch Currey is the Senior Director of Workforce and Economic Development at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.  In this role, Mitch works to align postsecondary education with workforce needs by facilitating partnerships and sharing best practices across the State of Tennessee.  Mitch is also responsible for assisting with the administration of the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) and the Supporting Postsecondary Access in Rural Counties (SPARC) grants.  Prior to working at THEC, Mitch served in the United States Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.  Mitch holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Tennessee State University. 

Boyd Hestand, MPS

Director of Workforce & Economic Development 

Mr. Boyd Hestand works at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission as the Director of Workforce & Economic Development. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 1993 with a BS in Marketing and again in 2010 with a master’s degree in professional studies with a concentration in Strategic Leadership.

Working within Tennessee’s higher education field for over 20 years has given him the opportunity to utilize his administrative and organizational gifts in various leadership roles to help individuals reach their educational and career goals. Boyd focuses his work on growing student opportunities, in regards to their professionalism because “professionalism can be the difference between who gets the job and who does not”. His professional goal is to help development Tennessee’s workforce and economy by increasing educational opportunities that lead to college credentials for the citizens of the Great State of Tennessee

Kimberly Johnson, BS

Director of Workforce & Economic Development 

Kimberly Johnson serves as Director of Workforce and Economic Development at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, a position she has held since 2023. Prior to her current role, Kimberly spent five years working in workforce development positions at both the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and
Jackson State Community College. During that time, she played a crucial role in creating and directing workforce and education programs that provided a skilled workforce, career advancement opportunities, and linkages to quality jobs across the West Tennessee region.

As a lifelong resident of Tennessee, Kimberly understands the challenges of maintaining and growing the workforce skills of Tennesseans. With two decades of experience working in business and industry, she has gained valuable insights into the workforce landscape. She is dedicated to collaborating with secondary and post-secondary partners to enhance workforce skills and ensure that Tennessee has the talent pipeline needed for the future.

Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Union University.