Cheryl Barksdale is a distinguished lecturer in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, where she regularly teaches courses on management, leadership and human resource management. In addition to teaching, Cheryl regularly consults on these topics with regional organizations such as the Knoxville Utilities Board, Renovatus Recovery Community and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.

She earned her Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Tennessee. Her awards and accomplishments while at UT include the Allen H. Keally Excellence in Teaching Award (2013), the Outstanding Faculty Award in the MS Management and Human Resources program (2015) and the Outstanding Commitment to Students Award in the MS Management and Human Resources program (2022).

On a more personal note, she enjoys tracking down the best farm-fresh, organic produce that Knoxville has to offer, experimenting with new ingredients and cooking methods and sharing the results with friends and loved ones.