Dr. Tracey Tedder Promoted to Interim Provost and VP of Academic Affairs

As the Spring 2023 semester begins, Florida Southern College will usher in a new Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Tracey D. Tedder, Ed.D., moves into the new role while retaining the title of Hal and Marjorie Roberts Endowed Chair in Learning and Literacy.

Dr. Tedder is no stranger to Florida Southern College, most recently serving as Associate Provost for Experiential Education since 2020, and as an Associate Professor of Education. She is in her 15th year of service at Florida Southern College.

The Provost is the most important academic position on any college campus. As the chief academic officer, the position is designed to help the university's president plan, develop, implement, assess, and govern all academic programs, develop sound policies and make faculty and tenure decisions.

“I am honored to serve in this leadership role,” Dr. Tedder explained. “Florida Southern College has a history of excellence, whose graduates make a difference near and far due to innovative programs, outstanding academics, and faculty scholars who are dedicated to helping students succeed. It is a privilege to be a part of this dynamic campus community in making a positive and consequential impact on society.”

Originally from Lakeland and a graduate of Lakeland High School, Dr. Tedder has remained in the Polk County area her entire career. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and Master of Educational Leadership degrees from Saint Leo, prior to earning her Doctorate of Education from USF. She taught in the public school system in Polk County before coming to FSC in 2008.

Dr. Tedder first came to Florida Southern in August of 2008, as the Chair of the School of Education, before being promoted to Dean in 2010. In that role, Dr. Tedder was responsible for the educational leadership and excellence of the College’s highly respected Education programs. The School of Education includes undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees, two laboratory schools, and certification programs.

Under Dr. Tedder’s leadership, the School of Education experienced many firsts in the history of the College, including offering the first doctoral degree, the Doctorate of Educational Leadership. In 2010, Dr. Tedder opened the Roberts Academy, the first transitional school in the state of Florida for talented students with dyslexia. The program has become nationally acclaimed, attracting students from across the United States. In the spring of 2020, the School of Education expanded its focus on early childhood education and became home to the first and only Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood Learning and Health.

With the Carol Jenkins Barnett Center up and running, Dr. Tedder stepped into the role as Associate Provost, working with then-Provost Dr. Brad Hollingshead. Dr. Tedder applied her experience in leading the School of Education to working with all of the educational programs for the entire College.

With Dr. Hollingshead stepping down from the Provost position to return to the classroom as a full-time professor, Dr. Tedder will take on her new role.

“Dr. Tedder has proven leadership achievements and a deep commitment to student success,” said Dr. Anne B. Kerr, president of Florida Southern College. “She has impressive knowledge of issues in higher education, maintains a strategic focus on excellence in educational programs, has strong experience with both launching and sustaining nationally renowned programs, and possesses impressive communication skills with college constituencies. She is a dynamic and experienced educational leader, and I look forwarding to working with her to continue the trajectory of FSC academic programs.”

Through the years, Dr. Tedder has been recognized for her contributions to the field of education. She was a recipient of the National Association of Women of Distinction Award, Polk County Public Schools District Teacher of the Year, and has been active in the community as a member of Leadership Lakeland, United Way, and working with schools across the district. Dr. Tedder has been named to serve in two endowed chair positions in the School of Education: the Nina B. Hollis Endowed Chair in Education and most recently, the Hal and Marjorie Roberts Endowed Chair in Learning and Literacy.