Historic HBCU Knoxville College names Dasha Lundy interim president as it rebuilds

Dasha Lundy, Ph.D.. has been appointed interim president of Knoxville College by the historically Black school’s board of directors. (Photo: Angela Dennis for the Tennessee Lookout)

Knoxville College has named former Knox County Commissioner Dasha Lundy, Ph.D., as its new interim president, marking the return of a familiar leader at one of the most pivotal moments in the institution’s 150-year history.

Lundy, who served as chief operating officer and vice president from 2021 to 2023, steps back into leadership as the historically Black college faces a pressing financial crisis and must restart its accreditation process from scratch.

“The most immediate priority is securing the resources or an extension to repay a $4.4 million debt by December 31,” Lundy said. “If we’re unable to meet that obligation, there’s a real possibility that portions of our historic property could be auctioned off. This is about saving an institution that has served generations of Black students, families, and leaders.”

Founded in 1875, Knoxville College has long been a cornerstone of educational opportunity and civil rights activism in East Tennessee. Its Mechanicsville campus once buzzed with student life and civic engagement, but decades of financial strain, loss of accreditation and campus disrepair have left the college operating primarily online and relying heavily on alumni and community support.

One of the hardest blows came last year when a fire destroyed Elnathan Hall, a historic campus building. Lundy described the loss as devastating and said the investigation remains ongoing.

According to her 2023 resignation letter, Lundy said she raised serious issues with the board that she felt were critical to address in order to protect the institution. After a recent vote, school leaders asked her to return.

After fire at historically Black Knoxville College, leaders speak out on school’s status

 “It’s nothing but God,” Lundy said. “I’m a woman of faith and a lot of people didn’t understand why I left, but I had to protect myself and do the right thing. It’s always been about protecting and saving this school.”

“I’ve always believed that KC is the backbone of our community and can help address the Black poverty rate in our city,” she said. “I came back because I believe in what this college means for our community.”

Lundy said the college’s path to recovery depends on being honest about its current challenges, from financial struggles to accreditation setbacks.

“To rebuild Knoxville College, we have to raise money and that includes being transparent about where we stand, what’s broken, what needs repair, and what we can realistically achieve,” Lundy said. “The community, our alumni, and our students deserve that.”

Lundy emphasized the college’s deeper roots, tracing its mission back to 1863, when Rev. J.G. McKee worked in Nashville to help newly freed people with few resources. 

“He probably didn’t have much, maybe nothing at all, but he was driven by a mission, and that mission is still alive today,” she said.

Accreditation and campus challenges

One of Lundy’s first tasks after addressing debt and finances is to restart the accreditation process with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) after the college failed audits in 2024. According to records, the college submitted its application in August 2024 and received a list of 23 compliance violations that must be addressed, including leadership clarity, financial stability, and accurate enrollment reporting.

Founded in 1875 by the Presbyterian Church, Knoxville College lost its national accreditation in 1997, a major blow that triggered declining enrollment and deepened financial struggles. Without accreditation, students became ineligible for federal financial aid, making it difficult for the college to attract and retain both students and faculty.

No classes have been held on campus since 2017 due to building safety concerns. Today, all courses are offered online, while several historic campus buildings remain unused, many listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lundy said addressing the physical campus is as urgent as stabilizing finances and accreditation, and that it could be a process several years in the making.

“There is a lot of work to do and it’s going to take time. Our goal is to create a safe, functional campus that honors the college’s history while meeting the needs of our students.”

She said that online programs and campus restoration are part of a broader vision. 

Local leadership key to revival

Lundy’s appointment comes after a series of leadership changes. Former presidents Leonard Adams and Rotesha Harris both left within the past two years, leaving the college’s top post vacant until Lundy’s return. She began serving as interim president on Oct. 2, an appointment announced during the school’s 150th homecoming celebration.

The college also announced several changes to its board of trustees, signaling a renewed focus on leadership and governance.

Von Smith, a former member of the board of trustees, said Lundy’s leadership represents a fresh opportunity to rebuild with focus and transparency.

“It’s going to take a collaborative effort from the community and alumni,” Smith said. “We need to support the administration that has been chosen to lead us into the next 20 years. Dr. Lundy is here in the city, in the community, and knows the people who can help move this college forward.”

Michael Rodgers, Director of Alumni Affairs, said the school’s survival hinges on both innovative thinking and unity.

“We have to have radical new ideas to move forward, and I think Dr. Lundy brings the outside-the-box thinking that this college truly needs,” Rodgers said. “ We’re at a point where we either pull together or we fall, and that unity piece is huge. I believe she’s a unifier who can bring all these aspects together.”

Rodgers also stressed the importance of a leader deeply rooted in the local community. “We need someone who knows the community, is well connected, and can engage all the movers and shakers here in Knoxville. It’s going to take the entire community to support this effort, not just Black residents, but everyone who cares about the future of this historic institution.”

Looking ahead

Lundy expressed confidence that Knoxville College can regain stability through transparency, accountability, and strong community partnerships.

“This is our defining moment,” she said. “We have an opportunity not just to survive, but to build a stronger, more resilient institution. My goal is to continue the work I started before, strengthening academic programs, improving operational systems, and deepening relationships with alumni and the community so that Knoxville College thrives for generations to come.”

She acknowledged the challenges ahead but said her approach balances respect for the college’s heritage with innovative strategies for the future.

“Knoxville College will look different, but it will continue to stand for the mission that has carried it for 150 years. Educating, uplifting, and empowering our people,” Lundy said. “This is about moving forward together, with vision, purpose, and accountability.”