Go back

Dr. Prentice Chandler is the dean of Austin Peay State University’s Eriksson College of Education in Clarksville, TN. Since 2017, the Eriksson College of Education has emerged as a national leader in educator preparation and addressing teacher shortages. In 2022 the Austin Peay State University (APSU) and Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) Teacher Residency program became the first federally registered apprenticeship program for teaching in the nation. Since launching in 2019, this program has expanded to include partnerships with local community colleges and rural school districts. The work of APSU-CMCSS has been featured in multiple national media outlets, including The Washington Post, CBS News, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Education Week.

Dr. Chandler's scholarship is in the areas of history and social studies education, academic freedom, authentic intellectual work, and higher education leadership. Dr. Chandler has authored or coauthored over 50 works. His most recent book, Rethinking School-University Partnerships: A New Way Forward (Chandler & Barron, 2021) examines innovative partnership work taking place across the nation.

In 2007, Dr. Chandler was awarded the Defense of Academic Freedom Award from the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) for his efforts teaching history in Alabama public schools. In 2018, he was awarded the Notable Leader in Teacher Education Award from the Alabama Association of Teacher Educators. He is a first-generation high school graduate of Clements High School in north Alabama.

M.S.L., Austin Peay State University, Leadership & Organizational Administration/Strategic Leadership

Ph.D., University of Alabama, Secondary Education/Social Science

Ed.S., University of Alabama, Secondary Education/Social Science

M.A.Ed., University of North Alabama, Social Science Education (6-12)

B.S.Ed., University of North Alabama, Social Science/Secondary Education

Faculty, Leadership Academy (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, 2023)

Fellow, Becoming a Provost Academy (American Association of State Colleges & Universities, 2021-22)

Fellow, Impact Academy for Deans (Deans for Impact, 2019-20)      

Management Development Program (Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2016)

Chairs Leadership Academy (American Council on Education, 2015)          

Austin Peay State University | Eriksson College of Education, 2017-present
Dean & Professor

University of Cincinnati | CECH, 2013-2017
Associate Director, School of Education
Associate Professor, Social Studies Education

Athens State University | College of Education, 2006-2013
Chair, Secondary Education
Assistant Professor/Associate Professor, Secondary Social Science Education

Tanner High School, 2010 (summer)
Secondary Social Science Teacher

University of North Alabama | College of Arts & Sciences, 2002-2005
Adjunct Professor, Geography

Clements High School, 2001-2006
Middle/Secondary Social Science Teacher and Department Chair