University of Tennessee Southern (UT Southern) is a public university located in Pulaski, TN. Founded in 1870, it was acquired from Martin Methodist College in 2021. UT Southern offers a small-campus, student-focused environment with over 1,000 students and degrees in business, education, and liberal arts.
Participant Biographies
Sarah Eskew, PhD
Role on Project: UTS PI, Faculty Learning Community Leader
Applied Mathematics
Bio: Dr. Sarah Eskew is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of
Tennessee Southern. Her focus is on applied mathematics and helping students see the
relevance and purpose behind every course they take. She also directs the university’s
Center for Advancement of Faculty Excellence.
Jennifer Aust, PhD
Role on Project: UTS Co-PI
Mathematics
Bio: Dr. Jennifer Aust is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of
Tennessee Southern. She has been teaching for 20 years (first as a graduate student,
then as a full-time professor), and she is passionate about helping students repair their
relationships with mathematics. Dr. Aust enjoys teaching a great variety of mathematics
courses, from liberal arts mathematics and support labs for statistics to the transitions
course for
Jac Cole, PhD
Role on Project: UTS Co-PI, Statistics Lead
Mathematics
Bio: Bio: Dr. Jac Cole is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Tennessee
Southern. His teaching focus in recent years has been in Statistics, Calculus, and
Abstract Algebra. Dr. Cole hopes his students can understand the process and ideas
behind the problems that they do.
Michael Cathey, PhD
Role on Project: UTS Partner for Statistics
Kinesiology
Bio: Dr. Michael Cathey is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology in the School of
Education at the University of Tennessee Southern. He helps lead the Kinesiology
program, regularly teaches the program’s research method course, and mentors
physical education student teachers.
Baylee Parish
Role on Project: UTS Partner for College Algebra
Chemistry
Bio: Ms. Baylee Parish is an instructor of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee
Southern. Her focus is General Chemistry and helping students navigate the
complexities of the subject. She is also the Chemistry lab coordinator and co-lab safety
officer.