Sidney A. McPhee

Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, the tenth president of Middle Tennessee State University, has presided over one of the most remarkable periods of growth and progress in the institution’s century-plus of service.

MTSU is the No. 1 choice for our state's transfer students, the No. 1 provider of graduates to the Greater Nashville economy, and the No. 1 choice of Tennessee adults (ages 25 and up) seeking a four-year degree. We proudly pioneered the Adult Degree Program in Tennessee. And, we are home to the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, the largest support facility of its kind in the state.

McPhee’s presidency, which began in 2001, has led MTSU through a period of unrivaled growth and success. His efforts have enabled MTSU to ascend to a position of higher education leadership, not only in Tennessee, but to positions of national and international prominence, with world-class programs that attract students from across the country and around the globe.

During his tenure, the university has grown in both student numbers and physical facilities, with today's campus hosting more than 22,000 students, covering almost 1,000 acres, and benefitting from more than $1 billion in construction and renovation.

Since McPhee’s arrival, MTSU has successfully raised admission standards and significantly increased enrollment of high-ability students.

MTSU’s ambitious Quest for Student Success, launched in Fall 2013 under McPhee’s leadership, is reshaping the institution’s approaches to teaching and learning. This nationally recognized initiative underscores the university's commitment to the successful retention and graduation of each and every student. With the goal of increasing the number of Tennesseans with post-secondary degrees, MTSU's Quest for Student Success aligns with and supports Gov. Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative.

McPhee has overseen the addition of almost 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, two colleges (Behavioral and Health Sciences and University College) and more than a dozen institutes and centers, including the Center for Chinese Music and Culture that opened in March 2016.

McPhee's leadership has strengthened MTSU’s international undergraduate and graduate student enrollment, that has led to the university's engagement in 38 international partnerships in 17 different countries, including study-abroad and cultural exchange programs and innovative research collaborations with international partners.

Prior to his arrival at MTSU, McPhee was executive vice chancellor for the Tennessee Board of Regents system. In addition, he served as the TBR’s chief academic officer and interim chancellor. McPhee also served in various senior-level administrative capacities at several major universities, including Oklahoma State University, University of Louisville and University of Memphis.

McPhee is married to Elizabeth McPhee, and they have two adult children, Seneca and Sidney-Anthony.

McPhee earned a bachelor’s degree (with highest honors, summa cum laude) from Prairie View A&M University in Texas; a master’s degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla.; and a doctorate in applied behavioral studies in education from Oklahoma State University.

As an academician, his work has appeared in numerous local, national and international professional journals. His scholarly pursuits include international lectures and presentations in numerous countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Belgium, Canada, England, Brazil, Ethiopia and the Bahamas.

China Agricultural University in Beijing, one of the country’s top universities, awarded McPhee its highest academic award (Honorary Professor). A book of his photographic essays, China: Through the Eyes of An American University President, published in July 2012, was released internationally.

McPhee served two terms on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors and on its Executive Committee. He served a six-year term on the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges.

He is a member of the Murfreesboro Noon Rotary Club, the SunTrust Bank Board of Directors (Nashville), and the SunTrust Regional Bank Advisory Board (Murfreesboro). He previously served on the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and chaired its membership council. He also served on the Nashville Adventure Science Center Board; the Middle Tennessee Medical Center Board; and the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America’s Middle Tennessee Council.

McPhee was honored as the 2018 recipient of the American Red Cross Hero Award. He was named Outstanding American University President by the American Football Foundation. The Nashville Post business magazine recognized him as one of Tennessee’s 100 Most Powerful Individuals, and he was ranked by Business Tennessee magazine as one of the state’s Top 50 Most Powerful African Americans.