Rate My Professor Ernest Brothers

Ernest L. Brothers, PhD, is the Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. A native of Greenville, Mississippi, he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and Master of Science in natural sciences from Delta State University. He also holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in urban higher education from Jackson State University. These credentials have positioned him effectively in graduate education administration, where he oversees critical support structures for advanced degree candidates. As Director of the Office of Graduate Training and Mentorship within the Graduate School, Brothers emphasizes the development of effective mentor-mentee relationships, which are essential to the success and retention of graduate students across diverse disciplines.

In addition to his primary administrative duties, Brothers holds several leadership positions dedicated to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia. He serves as the Mentoring Lead for SERVE, the Service-Learning Through Civic Engagement program at UTK, and as Co-Principal Investigator for the Program for Excellence and Equity in Research (PEER). Previously, he acted as Associate Director for Diversity Enhancement at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) at the University of Tennessee. Brothers has delivered presentations such as 'Strategies for Mentoring Diverse Graduate Students' at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2017 and participated in events like the SEC Graduate School Symposium and the McNair-Ledford Undergraduate Research Symposium. His commitment to graduate student advocacy has earned him recognition, including highlights in the Chancellor's Award recipients announcement for his tireless efforts and passion for diversity and mentoring. Professionally, he concluded his presidency of the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools and currently serves on its Nominating Committee with a term ending in 2026. Through these roles, Brothers significantly impacts the academic field by fostering inclusive environments and strengthening graduate programs.