Dr. Jean-Philippe and her colleagues in the University of Tennessee
Residential and Community Forestry Workgroup (from left): UT Residential
and Consumer Extension Specialist Natalie Bumgarner, UT-Knoxville Campus
Arborist Sam Adams, Sharon Jean-Philippe, UT Extension Agent and Certified
Arborist Lee Rumble, and UT Extension Forester Larry Tankersley.
for program participants, including Principles of Urban
Forestry (FORS 335), Practical Arboriculture (FORS
345), Trees and the Law (FORS 435), Urbanization and
Urban Soils (FORS 433), Inventory and Assessment of
Urban Land (FORS 430), and Internship (FORS 496).
Has the curriculum for the
Concentration changed over time?
SJP: Yes, the concentration went through a revision
in 2016, following my promotion and tenure appoint-
ment. My appointment changed from 75% teaching
and 25% research to 70% teaching and 30% exten-
sion. As such, my teaching load was reduced, which
resulted in us removing FORS 430 from the curric-
ulum. However, my new responsibilities provided
me with a pathway to develop an urban forestry
extension program for Tennessee! We have devel-
oped working groups that focus on monthly webinars,
newsletters, and workshops that truly promote urban
forestry across the entire state of Tennessee.
What gives you special pride about
the urban forestry concentration?
SJP: By participating in the urban forestry concen-
tration at the University of Tennessee, students are
offered more than a simple book experience. We have
successfully developed an interdisciplinary program
that truly integrates forestry, arboriculture, horticul-
ture, urban forest management, and urban wildlife.
Students are provided with a myriad of opportunities
to evaluate, plan, and facilitate solutions to solve prob-
lems in both urban and traditional forestry. Nested
in their experiences are multiple touch points to
experience internship, networking, and professional
development. By the end of the program, students
are well-prepared for a successful career ahead!
In addition, we are proud that in 2017 our urban for-
estry concentration curriculum and program was
approved by the Society of American Foresters
(SAF) Committee on Accreditation (COA).
Will you be developing advanced
degree programs?
SJP: Yes! For the past nine years, I have success-
fully mentored MS and PhD students through
academic coursework, research agendas, and pro-
fessional ambitions, both inside and outside of my
program. Moreover, I am currently working with col-
leagues to develop an MS in urban forestry. >>
Partners in
Oklahoma.
urban-forestry.com 17
