The Tennessee University Presidents Council works to foster strategic collaboration among the state’s public and private universities and between universities and the regions they anchor. The Council provides a neutral roundtable forum for the state’s academic executive leaders to engage in candid dialogue and joint action on economic development and innovation.

Building on a decade-long foundation of collaboration among the thirteen universities of Middle Tennessee, the Council has now expanded statewide. It includes presidents and chancellors from eight regions aligned with the Tennessee Leaders Action Platform (TLAP)—a statewide leadership initiative led by Global Action Platform in partnership with the Porter Development Initiative and regional steering committees composed of civic, business, and community leaders.

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The Council is committed to advancing the following objectives:

1. Fostering Inter-University Collaboration:
   Convene presidents of regional anchor universities to explore joint initiatives that leverage the unique strengths of each institution. Areas of collaboration may include:
   • Sharing successful models of existing university-business-investment partnerships underway in regions around the state
   • Exploring joint research initiatives and coordinated grant applications
   • Cross-institutional academic programming tailored to regional needs
   • Faculty and student exchanges
   • Exploring co-development of academic programs tailored to regional needs.

2. Enhancing University-Business Engagement:
   Strengthen relationships between universities and the business community to drive innovation, workforce alignment, and economic growth. Examples may include:
   • Facilitating regional convenings of university, business, and investment leaders
   • Establishing innovation centers, incubators, and research-commercialization partnerships
   • Co-developing workforce training and credentialing programs
   • Creating regionally tailored incentives for university-industry collaboration

3. Advancing Regional Innovation Hubs:
   Support the design and implementation of regional innovation hubs that serve as engines of entrepreneurship, job creation, and technology commercialization—each built on the distinctive assets of the region.

4. Strengthening Leadership Development:
   Engage with the TLAP network of cross-sector leaders who have completed a Harvard Business School case study curriculum rooted in cluster theory, competitiveness, and collective impact. The growing network of regional leaders trained at the Academy can help regional universities extend their impact in their home regions and across the state.

Through these priorities, the Council aims to cultivate a dynamic, interconnected ecosystem of education, business, investment, and civic leadership committed to Tennessee’s long-term prosperity.

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