Tennessee Tech earned the Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation for achieving national accreditation with no stipulations or areas for improvement.
College of Education & Human Sciences Dean Lisa Zagumny said the university was one of only two public institutions in the state to receive the distinction during the CAEPCon 2026 annual conference in Arlington, Virginia. Zagumny said the award is reserved for educator preparation providers that advance excellence through purposeful self-study and evidence-based reporting.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, students and school partners to excellence in educator preparation,” Zagumny said. “At Tennessee Tech, we are committed to preparing highly qualified educators who are ready to make a difference in classrooms from day one. Receiving this honor from CAEP affirms the strength of our programs and our culture of continuous improvement as we work to meet the needs of Tennessee’s schools and communities.”
Zagumny said the award is named after the founding president of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council and honors providers that use data to improve outcomes for future teachers. The college currently enrolls more than 1,700 students in programs ranging from psychology and exercise science to education and counseling.
“Tennessee and the nation continue to face significant demand for highly effective educators,” Zagumny said. “Our focus remains on preparing the next generation of teachers and educational leaders who will positively impact student learning for years to come.”
Zagumny said the college recently received a six-figure grant through the State of Tennessee’s Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program. This funding is intended to address workforce shortages by creating innovative pathways into the teaching profession.
The university has coordinated teacher licensure and prepared educators for more than a century.
