ETSU Public Health Dean Set to Retire After 20 Years

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Dr. Randy Wykoff, the founding dean of the East Tennessee State University College of Public Health, is set to retire after 20 years in the role. Under his leadership, the college has garnered millions in research funding and national awards for community service, teaching, and curriculum. Wykoff, who is 70 years old, says he is looking forward to enjoying more fly fishing, pickleball, and mandolin playing in retirement.

Why it matters

Wykoff's retirement marks the end of an era for the ETSU College of Public Health, which he helped establish as the first accredited school of public health in Tennessee and central Appalachia. During his tenure, the college has become known for its commitment to improving regional health and well-being, making Wykoff's departure a significant transition for the institution.

The details

Wykoff's path to becoming the dean of the ETSU College of Public Health was a winding one. After medical school and residencies in Virginia and Louisiana, he was sent by the National Health Service Corps to run a six-county health department in South Carolina, which he said was "not Africa" where he had initially planned to work. Wykoff then went on to hold high-level roles at the FDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services before joining ETSU in 2006. Under his leadership, the college has grown in stature, with Wykoff emphasizing the idea that the university can be "small and world class."

• Wykoff will retire after the semester ends in May 2026.
• Wykoff has served as the founding dean of the ETSU College of Public Health for 20 years, since joining the university in 2006.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Wykoff will finish his last semester as dean of the ETSU College of Public Health before retiring in May 2026.