MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University has named Peter Grandjean as dean of the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences after a national search.

Grandjean, who took the helm July 1, most recently served five years as dean of the School of Applied Sciences and professor of exercise science at the University of Mississippi in Oxford.

“I am excited that Pete Grandjean has joined us as CBHS dean,” MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes said. “Pete is an experienced academic leader, and I have no doubt that he will work with our faculty, staff, and students to make our already excellent college even better.”

Grandjean said he plans to “hit the ground listening” as he learns about the inner workings of the Blue Raider campus community.    

“What attracts me about this university is that we have a lot of long-standing faculty and staff who are here because they love this university,” Grandjean said. “There’s something really special about Middle Tennessee and I want to learn about that and capitalize on that.”

His first few weeks on campus have been spent meeting with faculty and staff across an academic college that includes the Department of Criminal Justice Administration; Department of Health and Human Performance; Department of Human Sciences; School of Nursing; Physician Assistant Studies, M.S.; Department of Psychology; and Department of Social Work.

The college also houses the Center for Student Coaching & Success, Center for Organizational and Human Resource Effectiveness, or COHRE, and the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic.

“I’m not going to come in and change the world,” Grandjean said. “I want to know what makes this place special and how I can work with others to enhance that.”

Prior to his tenure at Ole Miss, Grandjean was associate dean of Graduate Studies and Research Collaborations, director of the Division of Health Professions and professor of exercise science at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He also served on the faculty at Auburn University in Alabama.

He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Anderson University in Indiana in 1986, a master’s in exercise physiology from Texas Christian University in 1992 and doctorate in kinesiology from Texas A&M in 1996, where he served as a post-doctoral research associate.

Grandjean is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and serves as a member of the American Physiological Society, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, among other professional organizations. 

Before moving into academia, Grandjean began his 38-year career in education as a high school biology teacher, where he coached the football and soccer teams. In those roles, he became interested in athletic training and exercise physiology.

While working his way through school, he took a job at a cardiac rehabilitation facility, which led to an interest in the biochemistry of exercise and how a person’s health is affected by chronic conditions.

“I just follow my curiosity,” Grandjean said.

Over the past two decades, Grandjean became an internationally recognized professor and researcher in the areas of lipid metabolism, transport and vascular physiology, and has spoken extensively about his work.

Grandjean has authored or co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and garnered millions in grant funding throughout his time in higher education. In addition, he’s been the recipient of numerous professional, academic and faculty awards.

He’s quick to point out his success came through collaborations and partnerships from colleagues as well as graduate students and undergraduate students. He hopes to foster that same environment at MTSU.

“I want to help faculty facilitate their research and realize their professional goals. In doing that, we’re also helping students,” Grandjean said. “My biggest accomplishment is — and I promise you — watching other people succeed and being a part of their growth.”

Grandjean has been married to wife Alicen Grandjean for 22 years and they have four children, ages 9 to 19.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)