Staff
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Dr. Tony Morris
Interim Dean of the Honors College
(931) 221-7344
morrisa@apsu.eduDr. Morris joined APSU in 2012 as a professor of art history. He taught Intro to Art, surveys of art history, and specialty classes in Modern Art, Contemporary Art, and the History of Graphic Design. In 2018, he became Department Chair of Art + Design where he found ways help students efficiently navigate their path to graduation while building an incredible team of colleagues. He served as chair until 2023 when he became Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Letters. In that role, he hosted Faculty Research Spotlights, ran a Future Leaders Group for faculty, and worked closely with department chairs. He served in that role until August 2026, when the Honors College was formed and he became Interim Dean.
Dr. Morris earned his PhD in art history from Case Western Reserve University in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. His academic research investigates the strategies used by artists to express their individual identities through their work. He values interdisciplinary study, practical and hands-on experiential learning, and helping students to develop their individual voices.
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Dr. Tracy Nichols
Director of PELP and Community Engaged Learning
(931) 221-6823
nicholst@apsu.eduDr. Nichols serves as the Director of the President's Emerging Leaders Program (PELP) and Community Engaged Learning. She earned her B.A. in Communication Arts with an emphasis in theatre and a minor in creative writing as well as a M.A. with honors in Speech and Theatre from Austin Peay. Her doctoral degree is in Leadership and Professional Practices from Trevecca Nazarene University. Dr. Nichols is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication where she has taught full time since 2007. She worked as a Client Services Director for a Fortune 500 company and as a professional regional actor/director prior to returning to Austin Peay.
Dr. Nichols thrives on providing opportunities for students to learn in and outside of the classroom. An advocate for high impact practices, she revitalized the Honors public speaking course to include a designated service learning component, created an Honors class focusing on community communication with servant leadership, and she teaches in the President’s Emerging Leaders Program. Dr. Nichols served as the president of The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She won TN Communication Association state awards for service, undergraduate/graduate student mentorship, and the educator of the year award. Determined, engaged, and excited students in the programs as well as a dedicated and caring leadership team are a few of her favorite aspects of her role.
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Dr. Dan Shea
Director of the Global Education and Competitive Fellowships
(931) 221-7895
shead@apsu.eduDr. Dan Shea is Director of Global Education and Competitive Fellowships as well as Professor of English at Austin Peay State University. Arriving at APSU in 2008 after earning his Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Oregon, Dr. Shea has taught literature, composition, film studies, theory, and Honors courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels. He served as Coordinator of the M.A. Program in English and Associate Chair of the Department of Languages and Literature. His interest in international education originates in his undergraduate semester studying Irish literature and the Irish language in Limerick, Ireland, and he has taught multiple study abroad courses in England and Scotland on Victorian Gothic literature, the global literature of London, and the Harry Potter books. Dr. Shea has been directing the Global Education Office since January 2024 and is eager to help students apply for external educational funding in his new role as Director of Competitive Fellowships. Both positions allow Dr. Shea to pursue his primary professional interest: helping to create meaningful educational opportunities around the world for Austin Peay students.
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Dr. Frank Ferdik
Director of Undergraduate Research and Innovative Learning (URIL)
(931) 221-7344
ferdikf@apsu.eduDr. Frank Ferdik serves as Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Innovative Learning (URIL) and Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Austin Peay State University. Since joining APSU, he has remained committed to promoting student success through research, scholarship, and experiential learning opportunities. Dr. Ferdik earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and has developed an active research agenda focused on corrections, correctional officer wellbeing, prison policy, and criminal justice ethics. His work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and has received support from state and federal agencies. As Director of URIL, he is dedicated to fostering a culture of inquiry, innovation, and discovery across all academic disciplines. He believes that engaging students in research and creative activities not only enhances learning, but also prepares them for meaningful careers, advanced education, and lifelong intellectual growth.