Sharon Jean-Philippe is Professor of Urban Forestry and the Urban Forestry State Extension Specialist at the University of Tennessee. She is the faculty advisor for all students majoring in forestry in the urban forestry concentration and is the primary director of summer internship opportunities for students across multiple disciplines. She teaches courses in forestry that address vegetation establishment, management, and removal across an urban – rural gradient, legal issues, vegetation utility management, and the effects of societal influences on green infrastructure.  Her Extension appointment affords her the opportunity to work with Extension agents and specialists, as well as directly with Tennesseans, to help them with their urban forest needs. In addition, she develops Extension outreach opportunities that educate and highlight climatology, enhance human benefits of urban forests, and increase economic value of green infrastructure to cities. Dr. Jean-Philippe was appointed to the Tennessee Forestry Commission as the Representative of the Public-at-Large (2020 – 2024) and is the faculty director for Tennessee Champion Tree Program and the Community Riparian Restoration Program.

Sharon is a member of Society of American Foresters, a member of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) where she is on the Board of Directors for ISA and serves as Board Treasurer, Board of Trustees member for the TREE Fund (2017 – 2024) and President Elect for the Gamma Beta Phi Society (2022 – 2024). She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Tennessee State University, master’s degree in Botany and Ph.D. in Natural Resources from University of Tennessee.