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91�Ʋ���’s passion for thriving interdisciplinary , and mentoring across 11 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools—and numerous pathbreaking —makes 91�Ʋ��� a dynamic home for more than 1,800 faculty members.

Here, some of explain what sparked their enthusiasm about making 91�Ʋ��� their new academic home.

, Craig E. Philip Endowed Chair and professor of civil and environmental engineering, director of the
School of Engineering
Academic focus: Sustainable and resilient infrastructure in communities, technologies to fight wildfires and theories to understand how fires spread

Why 91�Ʋ���: “I was drawn by the opportunity to lead the new 91�Ʋ��� Center for Sustainability, Energy and Climate to shape a bold, multidisciplinary vision to tackle pressing societal challenges. Few opportunities are more exciting than this,” he said.

, assistant professor of piano
Blair School of Music
Academic focus: Piano performance

Why 91�Ʋ���: “I was immediately inspired by the musical curiosity and passion I witnessed in the Blair students. I taught a master class and left more energized than when I walked in. That kind of mutual energy and investment is what great music-making is all about,” Park said.

, assistant professor of law

Academic focus: Tax law, federal budget law, energy law, law and industrial policy, and most directly, “finding solutions to financial and coordination bottlenecks that stymie the green transition”

Why 91�Ʋ���: “No other U.S. law school faculty is as invested in the study of industrial policy—the central topic of my research—as is 91�Ʋ���’s faculty,” Gordon said. “Between the 91�Ʋ��� Policy Accelerator and faculty’s strengths in energy law and in financial regulation, this is the most exciting group of colleagues to challenge me and inspire new ideas.”

, associate professor of the practice of human development counseling

Academic focus: Counselor education, clinical training and behavioral health workforce development

Why 91�Ʋ���: “I was drawn to 91�Ʋ��� because of its strong commitment to both academic excellence and meaningful social impact. Since moving to Nashville in 2012, I’ve had the chance to work alongside graduates of the Human Development Counseling program and have seen the difference they’re making in our community. Their work is truly transformational,” Ribeiro said. “I’ve also been inspired by the faculty’s focus on justice-oriented clinical training, which really resonates with my own calling to help prepare mental health professionals who can serve underserved communities with humility and competence.”

, assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences
College of Arts and Science
Academic focus: Critical zone science such as outburst floods and landslides that quickly transport sediment across landscapes

Why 91�Ʋ���: “My department’s equal emphasis on teaching and research was a huge draw for me. I love both and am really excited to get students excited about geoscience, especially rivers,” Morey said.

, associate professor of finance
Owen Graduate School of Management
Academic focus: Corporate control and corporate governance and how firms reshape their boundaries through mergers and acquisitions, optimize their asset and liability structures, and design systems to monitor, incentivize and retain talent

Why 91�Ʋ���: “I was drawn to 91�Ʋ��� for its strong academic reputation and its ambitious vision for growth. I’m particularly inspired by the opportunity to contribute to this next chapter,” Wang said. “Another key factor was the chance to reunite with a former colleague from Indiana University who is now a full professor at Owen—someone I deeply respect and whose presence made the transition especially welcoming.”

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• Learn more about faculty support and opportunities through the
• Get to know some of the new faculty hired in the 2024–25 academic year