Tennessee / Higher Education Commission

Agency file

Higher Education Commission

Source file: Tennessee — State Employee Salaries / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The Higher Education Commission operates a public higher-education institution — instruction, research, and student services.

In 2026, this agency had 71 employees with median total compensation of $97,008; the highest distinct record was $276,060.

Year: 2026
Total payroll: $7.9M
Employees: 71
Median total: $97,008
Highest record: $276,060

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$45,760$232,980+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How 2026 total compensation is spread across the 71 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($97,008) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $111,052 (100%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $220 (0%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$65,184

$76,980

$97,008

$127,540

$179,136

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $179,136 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $65,184. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Thec-Director

6 · $96,272

Thec Senior Director

5 · $137,436

Thec-Admin Assistant 4

3 · $66,348

Thec-Reentry Recreation Navigator

3 · $58,152

Thec-Regional Coordinator

2 · $96,604

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Rachel Hitt

Deputy Counsel/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$127,540

Sub-department: Legal and Regulatory Affairs
Base pay: $126,540
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $127,540
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,545
Employee ID: 493337

Rachel Hitt holds the role of Deputy Counsel at Higher Education Commission within Legal and Regulatory Affairs. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $127,540.

Mitchell Currey

Thec-Sr Director Workforce/Econ Development/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$123,528

Sub-department: Academic Affairs
Base pay: $123,528
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $123,528
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,294
Employee ID: 444112

Mitchell Currey holds the role of Thec-Sr Director Workforce/Econ Development at Higher Education Commission within Academic Affairs. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $123,528.

Victoria Harpool

Thec Senior Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$122,020

Sub-department: Policy Planning and Research
Base pay: $121,020
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $122,020
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,085
Employee ID: 398654

Victoria Harpool works as a Thec Senior Director for Higher Education Commission within Policy Planning and Research. Their status is full-time. Victoria earned $122,020 in 2026.

Kyle Christmas

Thec-Sr Director Academic Affairs/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$122,004

Sub-department: Academic Affairs
Base pay: $122,004
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $122,004
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Allen

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,167
Employee ID: 568576

At Higher Education Commission, Kyle Christmas serves as a Thec-Sr Director Academic Affairs within Academic Affairs. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $122,004.

Heather King

Thec-Info Systems Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$121,380

Sub-department: Fiscal Affairs
Base pay: $121,380
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,380
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,115
Employee ID: 155512

Heather King works as a Thec-Info Systems Director for Higher Education Commission within Fiscal Affairs. Their status is full-time. Heather earned $121,380 in 2026.

Johnathan Rogers

Thec-Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$120,000

Sub-department: Fiscal Affairs
Base pay: $120,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $120,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $10,000
Employee ID: 712053

Johnathan Rogers is a Thec-Director at Higher Education Commission within Fiscal Affairs. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $120,000.

Julia Hoffman

Thec-Fisc Policy Analysis Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$117,216

Sub-department: System Fiscal Support
Base pay: $117,216
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $117,216
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: My Ahrns

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,768
Employee ID: 628992

Julia Hoffman holds the role of Thec-Fisc Policy Analysis Director at Higher Education Commission within System Fiscal Support. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $117,216.

Sarah Ligas

Thec Senior Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$112,772

Sub-department: D55_Colg Advisor Corps Admin
Base pay: $109,572
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,772
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,131
Employee ID: 486408

Sarah Ligas works as a Thec Senior Director for Higher Education Commission within D55_Colg Advisor Corps Administrative. Their status is full-time. Sarah earned $112,772 in 2026.

Brian Douglas

Thec-Business Intelligence Development/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$112,272

Sub-department: Lottery Scholarship Assessment
Base pay: $112,272
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $112,272
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $9,356
Employee ID: 244697

At Higher Education Commission, Brian Douglas serves as a Thec-Business Intelligence Development within Lottery Scholarship Assessment. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $112,272.

James Cullum

Thec-Internal Auditor/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$107,784

Sub-department: Executive
Base pay: $107,784
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,784
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,982
Employee ID: 154170

James Cullum is a Thec-Internal Auditor at Higher Education Commission within Executive. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $107,784.

Joshua Skiles

Thec-Data Scientist/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$107,004

Sub-department: Lottery Scholarship Assessment
Base pay: $107,004
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,004
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,917
Employee ID: 708843

At Higher Education Commission, Joshua Skiles serves as a Thec-Data Scientist within Lottery Scholarship Assessment. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $107,004.

Brittany Mosby

Thec-Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$106,596

Sub-department: Executive
Base pay: $106,596
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,596
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,883
Employee ID: 385917

Brittany Mosby is a Thec-Director at Higher Education Commission within Executive. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $106,596.

Mike Barcroft

Thec-App/Data Support Analyst/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$106,224

Sub-department: Lottery Scholarship Assessment
Base pay: $106,224
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,224
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,852
Employee ID: 108432

Mike Barcroft works as a Thec-App/Data Support Analyst for Higher Education Commission within Lottery Scholarship Assessment. Their status is full-time. Mike earned $106,224 in 2026.

Corsina Dickson-Wiley

Thec-Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$102,676

Sub-department: Executive
Base pay: $101,676
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,676
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,473
Employee ID: 101021

Corsina Dickson-Wiley is a Thec-Director at Higher Education Commission within Executive. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $102,676.

Tina Bishop

Thec-Nav Reconnect Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$101,052

Sub-department: Policy Planning and Research
Base pay: $101,052
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,052
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,421
Employee ID: 174912

At Higher Education Commission, Tina Bishop serves as a Thec-Nav Reconnect Director within Policy Planning and Research. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $101,052.

Elvin Browne

Thec-Regional Coordinator/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$98,204

Sub-department: Gear Up TN
Base pay: $95,004
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,204
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,917
Employee ID: 533297

At Higher Education Commission, Elvin Browne serves as a Thec-Regional Coordinator within Gear Up TN. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $98,204.

Laura Crawford

Thec-Special Assistant/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$97,132

Sub-department: Executive
Base pay: $96,132
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,132
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,011
Employee ID: 153736

Laura Crawford holds the role of Thec-Special Assistant at Higher Education Commission within Executive. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $97,132.

Kimberly Hodge

Thec-Dir Postsecondary St Auth/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$97,008

Sub-department: PostSecondary School Authority
Base pay: $97,008
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,008
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $8,084
Employee ID: 370220

Kimberly Hodge is a Thec-Dir Postsecondary St Auth at Higher Education Commission within Postsecondary School Authority. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $97,008.

Eboni Lloyd

Thec-Assistant Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$95,676

Sub-department: PostSecondary School Authority
Base pay: $95,676
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,676
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,973
Employee ID: 138930

Eboni Lloyd is a Thec-Assistant Director at Higher Education Commission within Postsecondary School Authority. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $95,676.

Megan Roberts

Thec Director Academic Affairs/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$95,148

Sub-department: Academic Affairs
Base pay: $95,148
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,148
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,929
Employee ID: 398123

Megan Roberts works as a Thec Director Academic Affairs for Higher Education Commission within Academic Affairs. Their status is full-time. Megan earned $95,148 in 2026.

Deborah Brown

Thec-Regional Coordinator/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$95,004

Sub-department: Gear Up TN
Base pay: $95,004
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,004
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,917
Employee ID: 261413

At Higher Education Commission, Deborah Brown serves as a Thec-Regional Coordinator within Gear Up TN. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $95,004.

Shantae Coleman

Thec-Gu Director Data Research Comp/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$95,004

Sub-department: Gear Up TN
Base pay: $95,004
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,004
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,917
Employee ID: 412141

Shantae Coleman works as a Thec-Gu Director Data Research Comp for Higher Education Commission within Gear Up TN. Their status is full-time. Shantae earned $95,004 in 2026.

Boyd Hestand

Thec-Dir of Workforce/Eco Development/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$94,368

Sub-department: Academic Affairs
Base pay: $94,368
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,368
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,864
Employee ID: 113528

Boyd Hestand is a Thec-Dir of Workforce/Eco Development at Higher Education Commission within Academic Affairs. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $94,368.

Kimberly Johnson

Thec-Dir of Workforce/Eco Development/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$94,368

Sub-department: Academic Affairs
Base pay: $94,368
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $94,368
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,864
Employee ID: 507658

Kimberly Johnson holds the role of Thec-Dir of Workforce/Eco Development at Higher Education Commission within Academic Affairs. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $94,368.

Emily Curtis

Thec-Fiscal Manager/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$92,376

Sub-department: Central Administration
Base pay: $92,376
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,376
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,698
Employee ID: 207509

Emily Curtis is a Thec-Fiscal Manager at Higher Education Commission within Central Administration. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $92,376.

Ryan Arrington

Thec-Senior Compliance Counsel/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$92,256

Sub-department: Dpsa_Sara
Base pay: $92,256
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,256
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Randall

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,688
Employee ID: 666185

Ryan Arrington works as a Thec-Senior Compliance Counsel for Higher Education Commission within Dpsa_Sara. Their status is full-time. Ryan earned $92,256 in 2026.

Blake Walker

Thec-Director Data Management/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$92,088

Sub-department: Lottery Scholarship Assessment
Base pay: $92,088
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,088
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,674
Employee ID: 389635

At Higher Education Commission, Blake Walker serves as a Thec-Director Data Management within Lottery Scholarship Assessment. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $92,088.

Miranda Miller

Thec-Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$89,868

Sub-department: Interdepartmental Grants
Base pay: $89,868
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,868
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Renee

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,489
Employee ID: 271790

Miranda Miller holds the role of Thec-Director at Higher Education Commission within Interdepartmental Grants. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $89,868.

Penelope Starr

Thec-Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$89,856

Sub-department: Veterans Education_Payroll
Base pay: $89,856
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,856
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,488
Employee ID: 464400

Penelope Starr works as a Thec-Director for Higher Education Commission within Veterans Education_Payroll. Their status is full-time. Penelope earned $89,856 in 2026.

Ronald Cunningham

Thec Coordinator/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$88,872

Sub-department: PostSecondary School Authority
Base pay: $88,872
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,872
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,406
Employee ID: 142064

Ronald Cunningham holds the role of Thec Coordinator at Higher Education Commission within Postsecondary School Authority. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $88,872.

Dustin Rawls

Thec-Gu a Director Statewide Services/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$88,208

Sub-department: Gear Up TN
Base pay: $85,008
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,200
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,208
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,084
Employee ID: 232538

Dustin Rawls is a Thec-Gu a Director Statewide Services at Higher Education Commission within Gear Up TN. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $88,208.

Joshua Nave

Thec Director Academic Affairs/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$87,252

Sub-department: Academic Affairs
Base pay: $87,252
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $87,252
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,271
Employee ID: 459784

Joshua Nave is a Thec Director Academic Affairs at Higher Education Commission within Academic Affairs. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $87,252.

Kayla Joyner

Thec-Accountant/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$86,592

Sub-department: Fiscal Affairs
Base pay: $86,592
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,592
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,216
Employee ID: 654923

At Higher Education Commission, Kayla Joyner serves as a Thec-Accountant within Fiscal Affairs. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $86,592.

Irina Goodall

Thec-Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$86,220

Sub-department: Veterans Education_Payroll
Base pay: $86,220
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,220
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Christine

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $7,185
Employee ID: 621063

At Higher Education Commission, Irina Goodall serves as a Thec-Director within Veterans Education_Payroll. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $86,220.

Kathleen Staple

Thec-Veterans Education Director/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$76,980

Sub-department: Academic Affairs
Base pay: $76,980
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,980
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,415
Employee ID: 668685

Kathleen Staple holds the role of Thec-Veterans Education Director at Higher Education Commission within Academic Affairs. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $76,980.