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
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+

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

Highest-paid first / page 2

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.

William Watson

Thec Analyst/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$75,768

Sub-department: Lottery Scholarship Assessment
Base pay: $75,768
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $75,768
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,314
Employee ID: 629587

At Higher Education Commission, William Watson serves as a Thec Analyst within Lottery Scholarship Assessment. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $75,768.

Janet Walsh

Thec-Education & Research Specialist/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$72,800

Sub-department: PostSecondary School Authority
Base pay: $72,800
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,800
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay basis: Hourly
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $35
Employee ID: 404844

At Higher Education Commission, Janet Walsh serves as a Thec-Education & Research Specialist within Postsecondary School Authority. They work part-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $72,800.

Maya Robinson

Thec-Academic Affairs Proj Manager/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$72,168

Sub-department: Academic Affairs
Base pay: $72,168
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,168
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Deaena

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $6,014
Employee ID: 622822

Maya Robinson holds the role of Thec-Academic Affairs Proj Manager at Higher Education Commission within Academic Affairs. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $72,168.

Katie Nixon-Thomas

Thec-Veterans Education Specialist/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$71,856

Sub-department: Veterans Education_Payroll
Base pay: $71,856
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $71,856
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $5,988
Employee ID: 529802

At Higher Education Commission, Katie Nixon-Thomas serves as a Thec-Veterans Education Specialist within Veterans Education_Payroll. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $71,856.

Laura Gonzalez

Thec Coordinator/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$71,724

Sub-department: Central Administration
Base pay: $71,724
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $71,724
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Ana

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $5,977
Employee ID: 586478

Laura Gonzalez is a Thec Coordinator at Higher Education Commission within Central Administration. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $71,724.

Aubreyanna Badon

Thec-Gu Program Data Analyst/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$70,008

Sub-department: GEAR UP TN
Base pay: $70,008
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $70,008
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $5,834
Employee ID: 567477

At Higher Education Commission, Aubreyanna Badon serves as a Thec-Gu Program Data Analyst within Gear Up TN. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $70,008.

Timothy Mcgarr

Thec-Info Resource Supp Specialist/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$69,864

Sub-department: Lottery Scholarship Assessment
Base pay: $69,864
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $69,864
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: Lindel

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $5,822
Employee ID: 563034

Timothy Mcgarr works as a Thec-Info Resource Supp Specialist for Higher Education Commission within Lottery Scholarship Assessment. Their status is full-time. Timothy earned $69,864 in 2026.

Rosie Padgett

Thec-Admin Assistant 4/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$69,036

Sub-department: Central Administration
Base pay: $69,036
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $69,036
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $5,753
Employee ID: 108446

Rosie Padgett is a Thec-Admin Assistant 4 at Higher Education Commission within Central Administration. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $69,036.

Noemi Sanchez De Hampton

Thec-Admin Services Manager/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$68,772

Sub-department: Fiscal Affairs
Base pay: $68,772
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $68,772
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $5,731
Employee ID: 617270

Noemi Sanchez De Hampton works as a Thec-Admin Services Manager for Higher Education Commission within Fiscal Affairs. Their status is full-time. Noemi earned $68,772 in 2026.

Melissa Stevenson

Thec-Admin Assistant 4/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$66,348

Sub-department: Lottery Scholarship Assessment
Base pay: $66,348
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,348
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $5,529
Employee ID: 109091

Melissa Stevenson works as a Thec-Admin Assistant 4 for Higher Education Commission within Lottery Scholarship Assessment. Their status is full-time. Melissa earned $66,348 in 2026.

Johanna Miller

Thec-Reentry Senior Recreation Navigator/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$65,184

Sub-department: Interdepartmental Grants
Base pay: $65,184
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $65,184
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $5,432
Employee ID: 498297

Johanna Miller holds the role of Thec-Reentry Senior Recreation Navigator at Higher Education Commission within Interdepartmental Grants. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $65,184.

Savannah Brewer

Thec-External Relations Coordinator/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$65,004

Sub-department: System Fiscal Support
Base pay: $65,004
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $65,004
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $5,417
Employee ID: 656743

At Higher Education Commission, Savannah Brewer serves as a Thec-External Relations Coordinator within System Fiscal Support. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $65,004.

Ahmed Feroze

Thec-Admin Assistant 4/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$59,904

Sub-department: Fiscal Affairs
Base pay: $59,904
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,904
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: I

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $4,992
Employee ID: 118696

At Higher Education Commission, Ahmed Feroze serves as a Thec-Admin Assistant 4 within Fiscal Affairs. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $59,904.

Kelly Dodson

Thec-Reentry Recreation Navigator/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$58,164

Sub-department: Interdepartmental Grants
Base pay: $58,164
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,164
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $4,847
Employee ID: 646749

Kelly Dodson holds the role of Thec-Reentry Recreation Navigator at Higher Education Commission within Interdepartmental Grants. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $58,164.

James Bush

Thec-Reentry Recreation Navigator/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$58,152

Sub-department: Interdepartmental Grants
Base pay: $58,152
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,152
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $4,846
Employee ID: 662689

James Bush holds the role of Thec-Reentry Recreation Navigator at Higher Education Commission within Interdepartmental Grants. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $58,152.

Cody Mills

Thec-Reentry Recreation Navigator/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$56,448

Sub-department: Interdepartmental Grants
Base pay: $56,448
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,448
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Monthly
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $4,704
Employee ID: 704101

Cody Mills works as a Thec-Reentry Recreation Navigator for Higher Education Commission within Interdepartmental Grants. Their status is full-time. Cody earned $56,448 in 2026.

Hannah Osborne

Student Intern/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$45,760

Sub-department: Lottery Scholarship Assessment
Base pay: $45,760
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,760
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay basis: Hourly
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $22
Employee ID: 723786

Hannah Osborne holds the role of Student Intern at Higher Education Commission within Lottery Scholarship Assessment. Their status is part-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $45,760.

Joseph Sturm

Student Intern/Higher Education Commission

2026 total comp

$45,760

Sub-department: Lottery Scholarship Assessment
Base pay: $45,760
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,760
Employment type: Part-Time
Pay basis: Hourly
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Compensation Rate: $22
Employee ID: 723785

Joseph Sturm works as a Student Intern for Higher Education Commission within Lottery Scholarship Assessment. Their status is part-time. Joseph earned $45,760 in 2026.