Director's Welcome

Welcome to the website of the newly established Center for Higher Education Reseach and Policy (CHERP) within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Higher education, as a system, per se, is in a state of flux and transformation. Exponential increases in college tuition alongside declining investments in higher education by federal and state governments in the form of aid have a precipitous effect on access and affordability--two major policy issues. And, while college enrollments have increased over the past 30 years for almost all groups, including women and people of color, significant gaps persist across and within groups. These trends underscore other important issues including accountability, equity, and diversity. Indeed, these issues represent the foci of the Center's research program.

The Center's research program centers on a variety of issues including access and equity in education, social justice, college student retention and success, college administration, assessment, international higher education, and the role of federal and state policies on postsecondary education. Poised to make a significant contribution to the higher education research and policy arena, the Center for Higher Education Research and Policy aims to inform current debates about higher education policy and practice.

Contact Us

Center for Higher Education Research and Policy (CHERP)
1122 Volunteer Boulevard
316 Bailey Education Complex
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-6457
Fax: (865) 974-6146
Email: cherp@utk.edu