[2] Cheek became the seventh chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in February 2009, and stepped down from that position in 2017 and joined the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
[1] Cheek's primary goals upon taking the position as chancellor of UTK were to improve the academic experience of students and advance faculty teaching, research and scholarship.
[3] Cheek pursued the following goals to help UTK achieve a top 25 ranking among all public universities: · Attract, retain, and graduate a diverse body of well-educated undergraduate and graduate students · Increase the number of students enrolled while improving the quality · Enhance the educational experiences for graduate and undergraduate students · Strengthen capacity and productivity in research, scholarship, & creative activity · Attract and retain stellar and diverse faculty and staff · Continually improve the resource base and improve campus infrastructure · Strengthen and build collaborative relationships[3] Major accomplishments include approval by the Board of Trustees of differential tuition for 4 colleges, the 15-4 tuition model where full-time undergraduates pay for 15 credit hours each semester, and approval of a transformational campus infrastructure and landscaping plan.
Numerous changes in the university's delivery of core services including advising, tutoring, mentoring, admissions, and other support to help students graduate on time and achieve their academic goals.
These changes dramatically increased enrollment, retention and graduation rates and brought UTK's metrics closer to aspirant peers.
Significant new funding was allocated by the Legislature and approved by the Governor including $20 million for a cellulosic ethanol research plant to utilize and further develop technology patented by IFAS faculty.
The EPI received special funding from the legislature of over $100 million and is unique in that it focuses on human, animal, and plant pathogens.
CALS received $6.1 million of new resources based on graduate enrollment growth using a competitive, performance-based model.
He received the Leadership and Service Award from the Alumni Board of Directors, a Faculty Senate Resolution honoring his significant and lasting contributions, a Thomas Jefferson Cup for his support and dedication from the Chancellor's Associates, and the Student Government Association created the Jimmy G. Cheek Visionary Award to annually recognize a visionary student leader.