Tennessee Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences earns top honors from national accreditor
Tennessee Tech University's College of Education & Human Sciences has received a prestigious national award from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), one of the nation's leading accrediting bodies for educator preparation programs.
Tech was one of only two Tennessee public universities to earn the Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement, an award given annually to educator preparation providers that achieve CAEP accreditation with no stipulations or areas for improvement.
According to CAEP, recipients are selected from providers granted accreditation at the initial level during the previous year and are recognized for advancing excellence in educator preparation 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,” said Lisa Zagumny, dean of Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences. “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.”
Tech and the only other in-state public university honoree, the University of Tennessee-Martin, received their awards at the recent CAEPCon 2026 annual conference in Arlington, Va.
The award is named for Frank Murray, founding president of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council, one of CAEP’s predecessor organizations. The recognition honors educator preparation providers that use data and assessment results to strengthen programs and improve outcomes for future teachers and the students they will serve.
Tech’s College of Education & Human Sciences has prepared educators and coordinated teacher licensure for more than a century. Today, the college enrolls more than 1,700 students across a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs focused on education, counseling, psychology, exercise science and related fields.
The recognition comes at a time of continued growth and momentum for the college. Earlier this month, Tech received a major six-figure grant through the State of Tennessee’s Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP) to help address educator workforce needs through innovative teacher apprenticeship pathways. The grant supports efforts to expand access to the teaching profession while helping school districts address ongoing workforce shortages.
“Tennessee and the nation continue to face significant demand for highly effective educators,” Zagumny added. “Our focus remains on preparing the next generation of teachers and educational leaders who will positively impact student learning for years to come.”
CAEP currently accredits hundreds of educator preparation providers across the United States and internationally. The organization’s accreditation process emphasizes accountability, quality assurance and continuous improvement in educator preparation. Learn more at www.caepnet.org.