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Tracy Parkinson, Ph.D., became president of Mars Hill University in 2026.

Parkinson came to Mars Hill in 2020 as provost and in 2022 was promoted to executive vice president and provost. In those roles he oversaw academic affairs, accreditation, emergency management, enrollment management, financial aid, grants, and marketing and communications. He represented the university on county, regional, and national boards. His service includes the Council of Independent Colleges, the Appalachian College Association, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC), and the Land of Sky P20 Council.

During Parkinson’s tenure Mars Hill expanded academic and co-curricular programs, including several new majors; transitioned to offering online courses as well as several completely online degrees; updated enrollment management search and yield tactics and strategy, meeting enrollment goals despite the pandemic; expanded the Local Lion Promise program; raised retention and graduation rates; and entered into several articulation and pathway agreements with area community and 4-year colleges. He helped secure numerous gifts and grants, such as support for summer programs, the university’s campus center project, and renovation of the Moore Auditorium lobby.

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 is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Academy of the American Academic Leadership Institute, the Council of Independent Colleges Seminar on Presidential Vocation and Mission, and the academic officers innovation program of the Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education.

He was professor of modern languages at King College in Bristol, Tennessee, from 1999–2011, where he also held numerous administrative positions, culminating as dean of the faculty and associate vice president for academic affairs. He joined Coker University in Hartsville, South Carolina, in 2011 as provost, and prior to coming to Mars Hill was executive vice president and acting president at Coker.