Profile
Dr. Michael Hutchinson (Ph.D.) is Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Entrepreneurship in the College of Health and Human Sciences at The University of Memphis. In this role, Dr. Hutchinson provides strategic leadership for identifying workforce needs, advancing academic program growth, and developing partnerships with healthcare organizations.
Previously, Dr. Hutchinson served as Executive Director of the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management, where he led strategic academic program redesign initiatives, stewarded financial resources to advance long-term priorities, and implemented faculty policies that strengthened transparency and accountability. Prior to his Executive Director role, Dr. Hutchinson was Vice Provost Fellow for Undergraduate Education, coordinating the University Undergraduate Council’s curriculum review process as well as overseeing the creation and implementation of the University’s AI for All Minor.
Dr. Hutchinson has also served as the Director of Undergraduate Programs for the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management, overseeing curriculum development, accreditation compliance, and program assessment. Within the Sport and Entertainment Management major, he led initiatives to expand prior learning assessment opportunities, launch competency-based and online degree programs, and strengthen transfer pathways with community colleges to improve student access, progression, and success.
In addition to administrative leadership, Dr. Hutchinson is a Professor of Sport Commerce whose primary line of research examines organizations’ escalation and de-escalation of commitment to sport-based enterprises. His work has appeared in leading journals such as the Journal of Sport Management and Sport Management Review, while also being recognized in several popular press media outlets including ESPN.com, ESPN Radio, and Newsday. As an instructor, Dr. Hutchinson has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses including Foundations of Sport and Leisure Management, Legal Aspects of Sport and Leisure Management, Administration of Athletics, and Research and Data Analysis in Sport Commerce.
Education
Ph.D., Texas A&M University: Sport Management
M.S., Texas A&M University: Sport Management
B.S., Mississippi College: Business Administration