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TSU Board Welcomes Newly appointed Student Trustee Azana Bruce

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Azana Bruce, a student leader and policy advocate, has been appointed the new student trustee on the Tennessee State University Board of Trustees. Her appointment was announced during the Board’s June meeting. Selected by Interim President Dwayne Tucker, Bruce will serve a one-year term as a non-voting member, representing the voice of the student body.

Azana Bruce speaks during her Tennessee Legislative Internship Program, serving as a State Senate intern for Chairman Ed Jackson.

“I am truly honored to be selected as a student trustee,” Bruce said. “It is a privilege. As someone who has developed a passion for civic engagement and public policy, this feels like a dream come true.”

A native of Memphis, Bruce is a senior pursuing a dual Honors degrees in political science and urban studies, with a minor in nonprofit management and leadership. At TSU she has held several leadership positions, including president of the TSU National Pan-Hellenic Council and social action chair for the Alpha Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In those roles, she has led campus-wide civic engagement initiatives and organized programming.

Bruce is currently an intern with the United States House of Representatives in the office of Congressman Steve Cohen, where she assists with legislative research and constituent services.

President Dwayne Tucker congratulated Bruce on her appointment for the 2025–2026 academic year, recognizing her commitment to service and leadership. “Azana has an impressive background, and we are proud to have her represent our student body,” Tucker said. “The student trustee plays a pivotal role in connecting students to the Board of Trustees, and I’m confident she will continue that tradition with excellence.”

Azana Bruce recognized as a 2025 initiate of the Upsilon Sigma Urban Studies Honor Society.

Board Chair Dakasha Winton also welcomed Bruce to the Board. “We’re excited to have Azana bring her talents and leadership to the table as she continues amplifying student voices and contributing to committee strategies,” Winton said.

Bruce said she sees the opportunity to serve as a bridge between students and university leaders. “I’m eager to learn more about our student body and how to best engage and stay connected,” she said. “I want to ensure we’re implementing strategies that reflect the voices and experiences of all students. We’re building a campus that’s for us and by us. A campus we can look back on 10 years from now with pride.” Bruce succeeds Tyler Vazquez, a member of the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute, who graduated in May.

For more information on the Tennessee State University Board of Trustees, visit www.tnstate.edu/board.

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TSU Breaks Ground on New $90 Million Agriculture Facilities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) –With hard hats on and shovels in hand, Tennessee State University leaders, dignitaries, and College of Agriculture faculty broke ground June 26 on the future of agricultural innovation.

TSU leaders, dignitaries, and College of Agriculture students and faculty attend the groundbreaking ceremony for new state-of-the-art facilities featuring advanced labs, classrooms, and research centers.

The historic  ceremony is for the construction of new facilities that will support TSU’s Food and Animal Sciences and Environmental Sciences programs, spanning more than 110,000 square feet combined. Scheduled for completion in fall 2026, the development reflects the university’s continued investment in research, student success, and community impact.

CheKenna Fletcher, a Ph.D. candidate in agricultural sciences at TSU, served as the mistress of ceremonies and said the new buildings will have a lasting impact.

CheKenna Fletcher speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony, where she served as the mistress of ceremonies.

“Agriculture is our future, so I am very excited about this coming into fruition,” Fletcher said. “I’m excited for all of the students who will be able to utilize the facilities and their labs. It’ll be an awesome opportunity for us to grow our department, grow more leaders and scholars in the agricultural field, especially in the food and animal sciences.”

Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture, called the groundbreaking a historic moment for the university and the state of Tennessee. “These buildings will offer students hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for real-world careers in agriculture, science, and environmental sustainability,” he said.

Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture.

Approved by the Tennessee State Building Commission in 2023, the facilities will include classrooms, laboratories, research centers, and administrative offices to support the university’s growing academic, research, and extension missions. The project will be located at the corner of Schrader Lane and Dr. Walter S. Davis Boulevard.

TSU Interim President Dwayne Tucker expressed his support for the development, calling it a symbol of momentum for the university. “We are sowing the seeds of innovation and progress,” Tucker said. “This project, which will serve as a hub of education, research, and outreach in the field of agriculture, underscores the state’s continued confidence in our university and the strength of our land-grant mission.”

The complex will include:

Rendering of one of the two new College of Agriculture buildings at Tennessee State University, slated for completion in Fall 2026.
  • 35 faculty offices
  • 23 research labs
  • 17 teaching labs
  • 4 classrooms
  • A large multipurpose room
  • Collaborative workspace and support areas

The two buildings will also house future centers of innovation, including the One Health Center, the Precision Agriculture Center, the Soil Health Center, and the Water Management Center. Dozens of dignitaries attended the event, including Senator Bo Watson, Representative Harold Love Jr., and TSU Board of Trustee Dr. Marquita Qualls.

Senator Watson applauded the university’s future and the promise of the project. “TSU will successfully fulfill its mission as a land-grant university and will be a university of choice among the historically Black colleges and universities,” Watson said. “That is our commitment. Let this groundbreaking be a testament to that commitment.”

TSU Interim President Dwayne Tucker expressed his support for the development during the groundbreaking ceremony.

The event also featured remarks and special recognitions from TSU administrators and the university’s design and construction team. Community stakeholders, including the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Farm Bureau, and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, also shared remarks, followed by a reception.

This development comes at a pivotal time for the College of Agriculture, which recently restructured into five academic departments to strengthen research and instruction. This new College of Agriculture complex will further enhance this transformation, allowing the college to better serve students, farmers, and communities across Tennessee.

For more information, visit www.tnstate.edu/agriculture.griculture.

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Tennessee State University Reaches Agreement with State to Reallocate $96 Million for University Operations

By Angela Mills

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee State University (TSU) and the State of Tennessee have reached an agreement that will enable the university to utilize $96 million over the next three years, previously allocated for deferred maintenance, to enhance university operations.

The $250 million allocated by the State of Tennessee in April 2022 for capital improvements and infrastructure upgrades is making a difference at TSU. The initial $99 million is actively addressing deferred maintenance. The remaining $151 million is still available for use at TSU. Today, the State agreed to redirect a portion of these funds ($96 million) to support TSU’s operational needs, while the remaining $55 million is designated for key projects, including $33 million for upgrading campus electrical grids and $22 million to finalize funding for the new Food and Animal & Environmental Science buildings in the College of Agriculture.

Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson said, “This agreement provides TSU with the opportunity to solve its financial challenges and regain its legacy as one of our nation’s great, historic institutions of higher education. With this agreement and the current leadership team, TSU is once again on the rise.”

Interim President Dwayne Tucker stated, “I want to thank Comptroller Jason Mumpower, Commissioner Jim Bryson, and all the State legislators who partnered with us to provide a transformational opportunity for TSU.  It not only provides crucial cash flow to ensure the university’s financial sustainability but also allows us to invest in enriching the student experience and strengthening our capacity to attract both students and qualified employees.”

Redirecting funding is pivotal in addressing immediate operational needs, allowing TSU to focus on long-term goals while ensuring a stable financial future. The additional investments in infrastructure will create a more robust learning environment, fostering innovation and growth for our students, faculty, and community.

State Comptroller Jason Mumpower remarked, “Investing in education is investing in Tennessee’s future. The State is committed to TSU and is proud to support its legacy that advances workforce development and agricultural innovation. We are encouraged by the progress TSU has made in recent months and remain committed to its long-term success and promising path forward. I signed this agreement because I have confidence in TSU’s current leadership team and their ability to understand and navigate the institution’s challenges.”

Under the newly appointed Board of Trustees and administration this year, TSU is working diligently with third-party State agencies to implement proper processes, reporting, training, and safeguards to strengthen financial oversight and compliance.

Board of Trustees Chair Dakasha Winton added, “The support from the State to reallocate these funds underscores our commitment to providing a top-tier education and the necessary resources to cultivate global leaders. These vital improvements will modernize the campus infrastructure and enhance the college experience for today’s students and for future generations of Tigers.”

About Tennessee State University

Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.