Tiffany Young-Polk is a transformative leader in higher education and currently serves as the Registrar at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (Graduate School), a role she has held since the inception of the Graduate School. In this strategic position, she oversees the front-end management of multiple graduate school information systems, as well as enrollment operations, academic records, and institutional compliance with Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation standards.
Tiffany’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the administrative foundation of the Graduate School, helping advance its mission to prepare the next generation of scientific leaders. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, she brings a deep understanding of academic operations and a proven record of driving innovation and efficiency.
Prior to joining St. Jude, Tiffany served for 14 years at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee, where she held key roles including Assistant to the Director of Information Technology and Associate Registrar & Director of Veterans Affairs. Her tenure was marked by the successful launch of major initiatives such as the creation of the Student Veteran Center, a full redesign of the college’s academic degrees, and the implementation of a new Student Information System (SIS). She played a central role in optimizing both student information and learning management systems.
Beyond her operational expertise, Tiffany actively contributed to institutional growth through her service on several committees, including the Enrollment Management Committee, Student Veteran Center Resource Team, First Year Experience, and the Fifth Year Review Committee. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, student advocacy, and continuous improvement—principles that continue to guide her work at the St. Jude Graduate School and within the broader higher education landscape.