EDUCATION
Ph.D. Educational Administration with concentration in higher education administration.
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. 1983.
M.P.A. Concentration in public policy analysis. Marshall University, Huntington, WV.
1977. B.A. Double majors in history and political science. Augusta (GA) State University.
1972.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES
DEAN, Claudius G. Clemmer College of Education, East Tennessee State University, Johnson
City, TN. August, 2003 – present.
Provide leadership to a College of Education that includes more than ninety faculty
in four academic departments (Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and
Policy Analysis, Human Development and Learning, and Kinesiology, Leisure, and Sport
Sciences) and a K-12 laboratory school (University School) as well as a nationally
acclaimed Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Education which includes a Child
Study Center and a daycare facility for students (Little Bucs) and Centers of Excellence
in Mathematics and Science Education and Sport Performance and Coach Education. The
college is home to six undergraduate and 18 graduate programs including the Ed.D.
in Educational Leadership and Ph.D.s in Early Childhood Education and Sport Physiology
and Performance. The interdisciplinary nature of the college’s programs requires the
dean to work with administrative leaders throughout the university to develop strong
relationships.
Responsible for both the strategic and day-to-day management of the college’s budget,
including University School. Responsible for ensuring that all personnel decisions
are in compliance with university policies and that the College meets all teacher
education reporting requirements (Title II, AACTE, NCATE, State Department Annual
Report, etc.).
Work with the College Chairs’ Council and Administrative Team to develop appropriate
plans and responses to various initiatives of the Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee
Department of Education, the university central administration, and other potential
partners.
Work with program coordinators and department chairs to provide leadership in accreditation
efforts including CACREP, NCATE, and SACS.
Work with the staff of the Office of Student Services and the Office of Field Experiences
to develop appropriate recruitment and retention strategies and to monitor field placement
and agreements with local school districts regarding field placement. Work with the
college’s Director of Technology to develop appropriate initiatives that improve the
use of technology throughout the college through faculty and student development and
technology improvement.
Work with the leadership of the University School to ensure that the school provides
a high quality educational experience for students in grades K-12 as well as a set
of unique and innovative experiences for pre-service teachers and to encourage collaborative
work between faculty at University School and the larger university community.
Work with the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Office of International Programs
to develop bi-lateral institutional agreements currently including institutions in
Australia, China, Japan, Scotland, England, Ireland, and Ecuador. Currently developing
a teacher quality improvement program with the Ministry of Education in Ghana.
Serve as a liaison with school districts in the 16 county Upper East Tennessee Educational
Cooperative (UETEC) and serve as a member of the UETEC Executive Board. Work with
faculty to develop university – school partnerships through a professional development
school initiative, Title II Teacher Quality Enhancement grants, and the development
of local P-16 councils.
Serve as a member of various university councils and committees including the President’s
Council, Academic Council, and Dean’s Council.
CHAIR (50%), Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, East Tennessee State
University, Johnson City, TN. August, 2002- July, 2003. (Note: From August, 2002 –
June, 2003, I served as both Chair of ELPA and Associate Dean of the College.)
Chair a department that includes 6 tenured and/or tenure track faculty, 1 senior associate
faculty, 9 part-time faculty, 7 graduate assistants, and executive aide, and a half-time
secretary. The department has approximately 20 masters, 20 Ed.S., and 150 Ed.D. students.
Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the department, faculty and staff evaluations,
budget preparation, and curriculum review.
Lead a successful graduate program review of the master’s, educational specialist,
and doctoral programs. Worked with faculty to develop a new doctoral cohort program
in Bristol. Also worked with local teachers and administrators in Claiborne and Sevier
counties to organize new cohort programs.
Serve as project director for three funded projects with the Southern Regional Education
Board (SREB), the DeWitt Wallace-Reader’s Digest Foundation, and the Kellogg Foundation.
All of these projects focus on the SREB initiative for the redesign of the department’s
principal preparation program. The Department has been recognized as a national leader
in this redesign process.
ASSOCIATE DEAN (50%), College of Education, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. 1993-2003.
ASSISTANT DEAN (25%), 1989-1992.
As Associate Dean for Curriculum and Accreditation: Responsible for all curricula
activities at both the Graduate and Undergraduate level including development and
review of curricula proposals. Responsible for all program assessment processes including
annual evaluations and follow-up studies, Title II reporting, and SACS program effectiveness
reporting. Direct the Office of Student Services, which includes Certification Analyst,
Professional Advisor, Director of Field Services. Review and approve all graduate
student processes including admission, committee membership, and programs of study.
Serve as the coordinator for college accreditation efforts including service as NCATE
Coordinator (1990-present). Responsible for the development of articulation agreements
with area community colleges. Responsible for the development of minority student
and faculty recruitment and retention efforts and serve as Co-Chair, College Committee
on Diversity.
Serve as COE representative to the university Curriculum Advisory Committee (1996-present),
Assessment Liaison Council (formed in 2000), Committee to Assess Continuing Studies
(1999- 2000), Task Force on Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (1997-1999),
Committee on Service- Learning (1997-1998), Planning Committee for Leadership Studies
minor (1998-1999), Continuous Improvement team on Service Learning and General Education
(1998-1999).
Director, Project MOST (Minority Opportunities for Success in Education), 1999-2000.
Proposal funded by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for $27,000. Project
continuation approved for $20,000 for 2000-2001. Also was project director in 1995-1996
for the original Project MOST program which was funded at $15,500. This grant program
has provided assistance to 15 minority students in our Masters of Arts in Teaching
program.
Director, Title II Teacher Enhancement grant for Professional Development Schools,
Tennessee Department of Education, 2000-2001. Funded for $9,000.
Director, Teacher Education Component, Service-Learn America grant, 1997-1998. Proposal
funded for $10,800.
Institutional Director for AACTE/Carnegie Foundation project, Alliance for Teaching
and Learning, Teacher Education Assessment System (TEAS) project, 2001-2003.
As Assistant Dean: Responsible for reviewing all budgetary and non-faulty personnel
matters including sponsored research; for developing a computerized management
system; for developing a newsletter. Served as COE representative to the University
Information Resources Council, as a member of the Computer Services Long-range Planning
Subcommittee, and Search Committee, Associate Vice-President for Research and Dean,
Graduate Studies. Served as member, Kingsport University Center Task Force on the
Future. Also, Chair, NCATE Self-Study Committee.
PROFESSOR, 1994-present, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, College
of Education, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, 1986-1994. COORDINATOR, Private Sector and Post-Secondary Doctoral Program, 1986-1993. Full Member, ETSU
Graduate Faculty.
Teaching responsibilities are in higher education administration, organization behavior,
and research methods. Courses taught include (Those listed in italics were taught
in the last 5 years.): Administration of Higher Education (ELPA 7820), Leadership
Studies (ELPA 6450), Theories of Administration (ELPA 6810), Grant and Proposal Development
(ELPA 6955), Organization Development (ELPA 6561), Policy Analysis (ELPA 6956), Methods
of Research (ELPA 5950, now EDFN 5950), Seminar in Educational Research (ELPA 5951),
History & Philosophy of Education (ELPA 6730), Introduction to Educational Administration
(ELPA 5750), Internship (ELPA 6581)
Major advisor to 12 doctoral students. Serve on 4 additional doctoral committees.
Service on departmental committees: Curriculum (chair), Masters' program (chair),
Ed.D. Admissions. Service on college committees: Kellogg III Enhancing Community Partnerships,
School Partnership, Grievances, Research Course Revision. Service on university committees:
University Intercollegiate Athletic Committee (chair), 1988-89; Student Life, 1987-89;
Tenure and Promotions Appeal Committee, 1989-1991; University Libraries Committee,
1999-2001; Task Force on Professional Service of the Commission on the Future of ETSU,
1988-89. Served as member, Graduate Council, 1994-1996; Chair, Curriculum subcommittee,
1995-1996.
Co-developer of Project TN-LEAD (Tennessee Leadership in Educational Administration
Development) proposal (funded for $240,000 each year, 1987-1990, with Dr. Ernie Bentley),
wrote the Danforth Foundation Preparation Program for School Principals proposal (funded
for $40,000, 1988-1989), and co-wrote a proposal to the Kraft Foundation for a National
Symposium on the preparation of school leaders (with Dr. Ernest Bentley, funded: $10,000).
As Program Coordinator, responsible for coordinating and refining the doctoral option
in Educational Leadership for students whose background is not in school settings,
i.e., those in higher education, public administration, etc.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Administration and Curriculum, Department of Education, Purdue University, West
Lafayette, IN. 1983 - 1986.
Responsible for coordination of the department's administrative internship program
as teaching courses in organizational theory administrative behavior and higher administration.
NON- FACULTY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
FEDERAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR, Strengthening Developing Institutions Program, University of Maryland Eastern Shore,
Princess Anne, MD. 1977-1980.
Responsible for the development and administration of this institutional development
program. Duties included conducting institutional needs assessment, working with faculty
to devise programming strategies, writing the institutional proposals, conducting
negotiations with the funding agency, preparing fiscal and program evaluation reports,
overseeing day-to-day operation of the program and securing complementary sources
of funding. Awards exceeded $2.3 million during this time. Served as administrator
for other institutional grants including: Special Services for Disadvantaged Students
(federal); Child Care Assistance, Work Incentive Program, and Novel Education and
Work Strategies (state); and Josiah Macy Foundation (private).
PROGRAM SPECIALIST, Office of Federal Programs, West Virginia Board of Regents, Charleston, WV. 1975-1977.
Responsible for assisting the Federal Programs Coordinator in the administration of
the Title I-HEA program (Community Service and Continuing Education) including the
design and implementation of the State evaluation program, assisting project personnel
in the operation and evaluation of institutional programs, reviewing and evaluating
project proposals, negotiating program revisions for the Board, and serving as a staff
advisor to the Regents' Advisory Council on Federal Resources.
DIRECTOR of STUDENT ACTIVITIES, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV. 1974-1975.
Responsible for the development of student social and cultural events including the
Fall orientation for new students. Served as advisor to several student groups including the Programming
Board. TEACHER, Augusta Preparatory School, Martinez, GA. 1972-1974.
Taught seventh grade social studies. Coached 7/8 grade soccer, junior varsity basketball
and was assistant high school track coach.
PUBLICATIONS
Franklin, K.K. & Knight, W.H. (1996). Exploring the Definition of Institutional Effectiveness
in Higher Education. [Abstract] In J. R. Petry and H.L. McCree (Eds.), Proceedings
of the twenty-fifth annual meeting of the Mid-South Research Association.
Franklin, K.K. & Knight, W.H. (1995). Using Focus Groups to Explore Student Opinion.
Washington, DC: Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) Clearinghouse on Higher
Education. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 388 199).
Wang, X. & Knight, W.H. (1991). Readiness and Achievement Motivation: An Investigation
of the Validity of the Readiness Scales in Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Leadership.
Resources in Education. (ED 340724).
Knight, W.H. (1990). Educational Reform: Another Agenda. Experiential Education,
Bentley, E.B. & Knight, W.H. (1989) Influencing Higher Education Through
Field-Based Opportunities in TN-LEAD. Educational Considerations, 16(2), 54-56.
Knight, W.H. (1988) Administrative Power. In Gorton, R. A. (ed.)
Encyclopedia of Educational Administration and Supervision. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx.
16(3), 1-3.
Knight, W.H. & Wood, R. C. (1988) Business Management Function. In Gorton, R. A. (ed.)
Encyclopedia of Educational Administration and Supervision. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx.
Knight, W.H. (1987) Notes from the Research Committee. Experiential Education, 12(2),
8.
Knight, W.H. (1986) Using experiential learning to revitalize schools.. VOICE, 2(8),
26-27.
Knight, W.H. (1986). Educational Reform and Experiential Education. Experiential Education,
11(1), 1, 4.
Knight, W.H. (1986). Theories of Modern Management . In Wood, R. C. (ed.), Contemporary
School Business Management. Chicago: Association of School Business Officials.
Knight, W.H. (1986) City Managers and School Superintendents: Response to Community
Conflict, Zeigler, H., Kehoe, E., & Reisman, J. In Review of Education, 12(2). (Book
review).
Knight, W.H. & Holen, M. C. (1985) Leader Behavior and Faculty Perceptions of the
Performance of Selected University and College Department Chairpersons. The Journal
of Higher Education, 55, 677-690.
Knight, W.H. (1985) The Biglan Model: A Better Understanding of the Role of Academic
Chairperson. In Cashin, W. E. (ed.), National Issues in Higher Education, XIV, 55-65.
Knight, W.H. (1985) Program Development for Academic Chairpersons. In Cashin, W. E.
(ed.), National Issues in Higher Education, XIV, 273-284.
Knight, W. H. (1985) Planning and Vocational Education, Copa, G. & Moss, Jr., J.(eds.)
In Educational Planning, 4(3), 26-27. (Book review).
Knight, W. H. (1984) "Assessing Leadership Style: Implications for Department Chairpersons.
Knight, W. H., & Litz, C. E. (1983) "Organizational Theory as an Exercise in Philosophy
of Education." In Proceedings of the Midwest Philosophy of Education Society: 1982.
Detroit: Midwest Philosophy of Education Society.
PRESENTATIONS
National (recent):
Teacher Residency Models: Tennessee’s Undergraduate Initiative. American Association
of Colleges for Teacher Education. Atlanta, GA, February 2010.
Building Strong Collaborative Relationships between the Laboratory School and the
University. National Association of Laboratory Schools. Memphis, TN, March, 2009.
Revisioning a Laboratory School: The ETSU -- University School Experience. National
Association of Laboratory Schools. Los Angeles, CA, March, 2007.
State (recent):
Ready 2 Teach: Tennessee Board of Regents Response to Clinical Preparation. Tennessee
Alliance for Clinical Preparation, Nashville, TN March, 2011.
Improving Student Performance through Improved Teacher Preparation: The Tennessee
Teaching Quality Initiative. Tennessee Association for Developmental Education, Kingsport,
TN, October 2008.
Working to Improve Teacher Preparation in Tennessee: The Tennessee Teaching Quality
Initiative. Tennessee Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Nashville, TN.
March 2008.
Other (recent)
Testimony before Tennessee Senate Committee on Education, Nashville, January, 2010.
MEMBERSHIPS
America Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Association for the Study of
Higher Education
Eastern Educational Research Association
National Council of Professors of Educational Administration Kappa Delta Pi
Phi Delta Kappa
Southern Regional Council for Educational Administration Tennessee Association of
Colleges for Teacher Education
Cashin, W. E. (ed.), National Issues in Higher Education, XIII, 142-152.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Institutional Representative,
Institutional Director, AACTE/Carnegie Foundation Project TEAS, 2001-2003 Participant,
Continuing Accreditation Workshop with NCATE, 1996 -2006 Critic/Discussant for various
sessions at annual meetings.
Proposal reviewer, 1998 – 2000
National Association for Laboratory Schools Executive Board, 2009 - present
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Board of Examiners, 2006-present
State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCoRE) Steering Committee Member, 2009-present
Tennessee Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Institutional Representative,
Executive Board, East Tennessee Representative, 2004-2009
Research Committee, 1995-2008; chair, 2005-2008
Title II Planning Committee, 2000 – 2001
Co-Chair, Institute Development Committee, 2003 - 2005
Tennessee Board of Regents
Co-Chair, Tennessee Teacher Quality Initiative, 2005-present Co-Chair, Tennssee Alliance
for Clinical Education
Regents On-line Degree Program (RODP) Committee, 2002-2003
Tennessee Department of Education Board of Examiners, 2003-2008
Tennessee State Board of Education
Member, Teacher Education Advisory Council, 2008-present
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Jonesborough Industrial Development Bond Board. Chair, 1996 – present.
Jonesborough Regional Planning Commission, 2001- present
Town of Jonesborough, Alderman, elected for 1990-1992, re-elected 1992-1994.
Jonesborough Reparatory Theatre Executive Board, President, 2009- 2011
Jonesborough-Washington County History Museum Board of Directors, 1992-1994.
Jonesborough Civic Trust, Board of Directors, 1988-1990.
Vice Chairman, 1988; Chairman, 1989.