Chief Operating Officer
Lance Taylor has been the Chief Operating Officer for Enrollment Management and a member of the Vice Provost’s leadership team since March 2023. In addition to developing and executing special projects, Taylor provides high-level strategy and support to the division, collaborates with campus partners, and oversees human resources and budget management. Since beginning his career with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2009, he has supported the university’s growth and development in leadership roles that emphasize the Volunteer spirit.
Prior to joining the enrollment management division, Taylor proudly served the university as an annual giving coordinator for the Haslam College of Business, director of annual giving and student philanthropy, and executive director of advancement operations. During his time with the advancement division, he developed and implemented several enduring and highly impactful fundraising initiatives, including Big Orange Give for alumni and donors and Big Orange Family Campaign for faculty and staff. Taylor’s approach to human resources, talent acquisition and retention, budget management, and operations continues to be guided by a people-first philosophy.
Taylor holds two degrees from UT Knoxville: a bachelor’s degree in marketing and logistics (’09) and a master’s degree in human resources management (’16). During his undergraduate senior year, he was named a Torchbearer recipient—the highest student honor conferred by UT Knoxville. Taylor is also a lifelong resident of East TN; he and his wife, Anne, have two children, Bradley and Emilia.
“Having a career in higher education is about so much more than showing up every day to do a job. When we change the life of one student, we change the trajectory of their family’s life. That’s always been powerful for me. Being able to create opportunities for future Vols is at the core of what motivates my contributions to UT and the Enrollment Management division.”
CliftonStrengths: Adaptability, Belief, Positivity, Woo, Communication