Director of the Transfer Center
Mary Beth Burlison is the Director of the Transfer Center and has been a member of Enrollment Management since 2011.Before beginning her role as the Director of the Transfer Center in April 2024, she served as the Transfer Center’s Associate Director since 2022 and as the Assistant Director of Articulation and Transfer Operations since 2019. Mary Beth previously held a leadership position in the Office of the University Registrar prior to moving to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Her roles within Enrollment Management have given her a comprehensive understanding of admissions processes, academic records, and the transfer process.
Mary Beth works closely alongside other departments within Enrollment Management, campus stakeholders, and community college partners to support prospective transfer students on their journey to Rocky Top. She is a leading voice on transfer recruitment, credit evaluation, and transfer student admission policies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
In addition to being a seasoned Enrollment Management team member, Mary Beth is a two-time UT alumna, obtaining a Master of Science (College Student Personnel) and a Bachelor of Science in Communication (Advertising, Business Administration minor). She met her husband, Jonathan, at UT during Homecoming Week, and they are proudly raising their children to cherish the Volunteer Spirit, too.
“Higher education is a world full of excitement and endless opportunities. I never imagined my professional career would be in higher education, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I value the work we do each and every day, and seeing the impact we have on students’ lives is incredible. Every student has a story and one that should be told. It’s crucial to take the time to listen because you never know what you will learn or the impact it will make.”
Clifton Strengths: Discipline, Responsibility, Achiever, Deliberative, Focus.