Maryville College announces Kristina Goodacre as new director of Human Resources
July 22, 2025
With more than 15 years of experience in higher education administration and almost a decade in human resources work, Kristina Goodacre has been named as the new director of Human Resources for Maryville College.
She comes to MC after almost three years in HR at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, where she’s served as the director of talent management in the institution’s HR department since January 2023.
“Throughout my career, I’ve worked to build cultures of trust, curiosity and continuous improvement,” Goodacre said. “I believe human resources has a unique opportunity to serve as a strategic partner and a source of connection across campus. I’m excited to join Maryville College and to help collaborate and create systems and opportunities that uplift every member of the college community.”
As the new director of Human Resources, Goodacre is tasked with leading a “people first” department that oversees MC employees and student workers as well, in addition to serving as the point person for office priorities that include employee recruitment, talent development, compensation and benefits, performance management and workplace culture. Unique to higher ed, the HR director at MC works closely with the institution’s Title IX coordinator and is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures that maintain high standards of operational excellence.
“We are excited to welcome Kristina as our new director of Human Resources,” added John Berry, chief operations officer for Maryville College. “Her strong leadership in professional development and organizational growth reflects a deep commitment to building people-centered and strategic HR practices. Tina’s experience and vision will be a tremendous asset to the Maryville College community.”
Goodacre obtained her Bachelor of Science in business management from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, and her master’s in higher education administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2022. She holds a number of professional certifications, including CERP (Certified Employee Relations Professional) from Cornell University in 2024, and a 2023 SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management — Senior Certified Professional).
She didn’t know much about Maryville College, she said, before seeing the job posting for the school’s open HR position, but the more she researched, the better fit it seemed to be, she added.
“Before applying, I didn’t know much beyond the positive things I’d heard from colleagues at Pellissippi’s Blount County Campus and others who often spoke highly of Maryville College’s reputation and community,” she said. “As I began to research the college, I was immediately struck by the (Maryville College) Covenant. The commitments to the scholarship of lifelong learning, respect, and integrity truly resonated with me — not just professionally, but personally.
“These aren’t just words I believe in; they are values I try to live every day. That moment of alignment felt significant and ultimately became a powerful motivator for me hoping to be a part of this community.”
In addition, she added, discovering the oft-repeated charge of MC founder the Rev. Isaac Anderson to “do good on the largest possible scale” felt like a personal mission statement that would serve her well in the role.
“Whether you’re working on a small campus or serving a large institution, the ripple effect of doing good, with intention and integrity, can be transformational,” she said. “Throughout my career, I’ve focused on empowering people, strengthening systems, and creating a culture of growth. Maryville’s mission and scale offer a unique opportunity to make meaningful, lasting contributions in a community that values both purpose and people.”
The in-person interview and subsequent exploration of the campus affirmed her commitment, she said, and she was attracted to the College’s combination of long-standing traditions with forward-thinking innovations in areas both academic and vocational. In addition, the smaller size of MC creates “space for meaningful relationships and collaborative problem-solving, while its commitment to liberal arts education and its historic mission offers a unique lens through which to approach both student development and employee engagement.”
“At Pellissippi, I had the privilege of leading institution-wide talent initiatives, but I’m excited by the chance to work within a smaller community where change can be both agile and impactful,” she added.
Moving forward, she looks forward to exploring ways of aligning professional development with the institution’s strategic goals, while continuing to support and uplift the experiences of employees.
“My passion lies in leadership development and succession planning, and I firmly believe that leadership isn’t defined by a title; it’s reflected in how we show up, support others and contribute to a shared mission,” she said. “I look forward to collaborating across departments to strengthen growth, enhance internal communication, and ensure our practices reflect the values of the Covenant. Supporting employees through change while honoring the legacy of the institution will be both a challenge and a privilege.”