Dr. Jimmy Cheek

Dr. Jimmy Cheek, former chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been a member of the board since 2012, and currently serves as Board Chair Emeritus. Prior to joining the University of Tennessee in 2009, he served as the senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida, Gainesville, United States. His 34-year career at the University of Florida included positions as dean and assistant dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The author of more than 80 journal articles, Cheek’s research has focused on education and learning. He is a fellow of the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and the American Association for Agricultural Education. He has received several education awards, including Teacher of the Year for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida. Cheek holds a doctorate in interdisciplinary education from Texas A&M, United States. He also received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M and a master’s degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.