Leadership

President Tracy Parkinson

Mars Hill University is led by Dr. Tracy Parkinson, the 23rd president in the institution’s history. A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, Parkinson earned his undergraduate degree at Carson-Newman College and his master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He also studied at Universidad de Santiago de Compostela in Spain and the American University of Paris. He begins his tenure as MHU president on June 1, 2026.

Board of Trustees

Management of the university is legally vested in the board of trustees, which delegates authority to the president for the operation of the total university program in keeping with established procedures and policies. The board approves all major policy decisions, adopts the official budgets of the university and passes on other major matters of university business.

President’s Advisory Council

This council was established to assist the university in the achievement of long-range goals. By consulting with the president and the trustees, advisors add variety, strength and experience to the administrative structure of the university. The council is comprised of interested persons—both alumni and friends of the university—of various Christian faiths and from several states.

President’s Leadership Team

The president’s leadership team consists of the vice presidents and other administrative team members.