Emily Blackman, Ph. D., is in her 15th season at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Athletic Academic Enhancement. She was promoted to her role from Senior Associate Athletics Director in January 2020.
Dr. Blackman currently oversees all of the academic support for the Mocs student-athletes and is the sport administrator for the men's and women’s tennis programs. She began her current role at UTC in January 2010.
The Athletic Academic Enhancement position was a new job created to direct the academic guidance given to Mocs student-athletes. She was promoted to Associate Athletics Director in September 2012 and Senior Associate AD in January 2018.
The Mocs have set or tied school-records for student-athlete grade-point-averages in 14 of Dr. Blackman's 28 semesters at UTC. This includes a school-record 3.421 overall g.p.a. in the spring of 2020. Over half of all UTC student-athletes have made the Athletics Director's Honor Roll with a 3.0 g.p.a. greater in each term since she joined the Mocs. The graduation rates for Mocs student-athletes also climbed from 48% at the beginning of her tenure to an all-time high of 91% in 2022.
Additionally, all 16 of Chattanooga's sports posted a 3.0 GPA or higher in the spring 2024 semester. The Mocs have recorded a 3.0 g.p.a. or higher in 19 of the last 20 semesters.
Blackman's leadership has also been utilized on a national level. She served on the NCAA Progress Toward Degree Committee from 2019-2023 and was the committee chair in 2022-23. She is also a 2017 graduate of the University of Tennessee Leadership Institute. The UT Leadership Institute's purpose is to increase participants’ understanding of leadership in higher education and promote leadership effectiveness in the University system.
Dr. Blackman first came to Chattanooga in June 2009, serving as an advisor in the Center for Advisement and Student Success. She was part of a new and innovative team of advisors that helped to integrate the largest freshman class in school history into university life.
Prior to that, Dr. Blackman worked in the Registrar's Office at the University of New Mexico as the Athletic Specialist. She was responsible for athletic admissions, certifying NCAA eligibility, progress toward degree and APR. She also worked in the UNM Athletic Compliance Office for three years and was involved with the CHAMPS Life Skills program and football advisement during her tenure.
Dr. Blackman was employed with the Detroit Lions for five seasons, working with in both the player personnel and salary cap departments. She also gained valuable experience working at the Joe Louis Arena with indoor soccer, the Detroit Red Wings and at Tiger Stadium.
Originally from Somers, Conn, Dr. Blackman earned her Bachelor's Degree in Health Promotion from Auburn University in 1997. She completed her master's degree in Sport Administration from Wayne State University in 2000 and her M.B.A. from UNM 2005. She completed her Ph.D. in Sport Administration from New Mexico in 2008.
Emily and her husband, JAy, were married in May of 2006. He is the Mocs' Deputy Athletics Director for Internal Operations. They have three daughters, Talley LaRee, Elin Elizabeth, and Nora Aycock.
Updated July 2024.
