First Executive Director of the Tennessee Governor’s Academy

Dr. Vena Long, professor of mathematics education and associate dean for research and professional development in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, was named TGA’s first executive director in March 2007. A fourth generation teacher—on both sides of her family—Long came to UT in 1999 after teaching mathematics education at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. This followed a six-year term as the mathematics consultant for the Missouri Department of Education. She earned a doctorate in education from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and the bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwest Missouri State University. At the time of her appointment as executive director, she served on the board of directors of the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics. The Tennessee Governor’s Academy was discontinued in 2011.