MTSU Names Steven Holley Sole Presidential Finalist

The Middle Tennessee State University search committee has advanced Dr. Steven G. Holley, now at the University of Mississippi, as its only finalist to succeed President Sidney A. McPhee.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in People

MTSU Names Steven Holley Sole Presidential Finalist

The MTSU Presidential Search Committee named Dr. Steven G. Holley sole finalist to succeed President Sidney A. McPhee. Holley currently serves as Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Mississippi.

Why it matters

The selection puts a finance and operations executive in line to lead one of Murfreesboro's largest institutions, with the university's Board of Trustees expected to review the committee's recommendation before any final appointment. Murfreesboro officials have also been studying downtown revitalization models, underscoring the university's role in the city's development.

Holley's current University of Mississippi role oversees an enterprise generating more than $950 million annually and a facilities portfolio valued at approximately $2.6 billion. The Board of Trustees has not yet acted on the committee's recommendation.

The players

Steven G. Holley

Holley is Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Mississippi and the sole finalist for the MTSU presidency.

Sidney A. McPhee

McPhee is the current president of Middle Tennessee State University whose successor is being selected.

The details

Holley is a Tennessee-licensed certified public accountant and a first-generation college graduate who began his academic journey at a community college. Before Ole Miss, he served as Vice President and Chief Business Officer at Abilene Christian University.

Summer 2025: Murfreesboro officials studied Oxford's downtown revitalization approach.
November 14, 2026: Holley was named sole finalist for the MTSU presidency.
November 17, 2026: A public forum with Holley is scheduled at MTSU from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Market Landscape

Murfreesboro officials studied Oxford's downtown revitalization approach in summer 2025, the same city where Holley has built his current career. Holley's selection connects two Mississippi and Tennessee college towns through the shared ambition of linking university leadership to downtown growth.

Murfreesboro residents and MTSU students, faculty and staff will see a new university president chosen in the coming months, with the public forum offering an opportunity to hear from the finalist directly. The outcome will shape tuition, campus programs and local partnerships tied to the university.

The takeaway

Community members who want to weigh in can attend the November 17 public forum with Holley, since leadership transitions at major universities often affect local economic and civic life for years.

What happens next

A public forum with Holley is scheduled at MTSU on November 17, 2026, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., followed by Board of Trustees review of the search committee's recommendation.