Amanda Middleton is the college’s new Special Programs Coordinator, starting April 1. In this role, she will work closely with the dean to turn the college’s strategic plan into reality, serving as project manager and working closely with partners across campus. The coordinator’s role is to enhance the visibility of the college, and the dean, by creating and implementing inclusive programs for the TCE community.

She brings with her a decade of experience working with a variety of UT Knoxville administrative offices. She was most recently the external relations and community development manager for the Clarence Brown Theatre (CBT).

“I managed the CBT’s Advisory Board of 40 members, CBT Society, and Marian Brown’s Circle, a new initiative that I developed from a colleague’s idea into the growing membership-based program we see today,” said Middleton. “As the liaison for these groups, I am accustomed to working directly with volunteers, donors, colleagues, and more from all backgrounds.”

Prior to CBT, she worked as the administrative assistant for the Undergraduate Advising office the Haslam College of Business.

“My experiences over the past 10 years have led me down paths of program management, special events planning, development, and administrative roles that I believe have uniquely gifted me with the qualities needed for the Special Programs Coordinator position,” said Middleton. “The passion I have for event planning developed long before I realized it was a career path. I’m typically the one in my social circles that develops the plan for every movie outing, every vacation trip, and every holiday gathering.”

She says her life was a bit nomadic before she arrived at Rocky Top.

“I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, raised in Memphis, and moved all over west Tennessee,” she said. “I went to undergrad in Jackson, Tennessee, and grad school in Fairfax, Virginia, before settling in Knoxville. I would call Trenton, Tennessee, my hometown. That is where my brother, sister-in-law, niece, and my aunt and uncle live. That’s where I go ‘home’ to visit with family.”

Middleton shares her home with have a cat named Sir Neville Longwhiskers, Neville for short. Her 4-year-old niece often visits them for fun times. She is a member of Sevier Heights Baptist Church and volunteers with preschoolers every week.

“In my spare time, I love a good movie or book and have recently created a craft room in my house for sewing and painting,” she said.

Middleton brings a welcome addition of Big Orange Spirit to the college with her years of experience and energy.