ETSU appoints Rebecca C. Tolene as University Counsel

Following a national search, East Tennessee State University has named Rebecca C. Tolene as University Counsel, effective Oct. 1. In this role, Tolene will serve as the university's chief legal officer, advising the Office of the President, Board of Trustees and senior leadership on the full range of legal and governance matters.

Tolene joins ETSU after a 24-year career at the Tennessee Valley Authority, where she most recently served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, serving as the principal legal advisor to TVA’s nine-member Board of Directors and executive leadership team.  

“Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Tolene has successfully guided the TVA, an organization whose complexity and public responsibilities translate well to a university environment and the complexities of the higher education landscape,” said ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland. “Her extensive experience managing legal and governance matters, combined with her thoughtful and collaborative leadership style, makes her an exceptional fit for ETSU.”

She also held several senior leadership positions with teams in environmental compliance, river and land management, supply chain and law enforcement. In these capacities, she led multidisciplinary teams supporting critical infrastructure and resource management efforts, while fostering collaborative relationships with agencies, customers, suppliers, environmental stakeholders and regional communities.

"I'm honored to join the ETSU community," said Tolene. "ETSU's mission and its impact on this region are both impressive and deeply meaningful to me. I look forward to working alongside the faculty, staff and leadership here to strengthen this office and serve the university well."

A native of Tennessee, Tolene earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee. She has been active in the National Association of Corporate Directors and the Society of Governance Professionals and was named to the Top 50 Women Leaders of Tennessee in both 2024 and 2025.