Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Traci holds a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Memphis and earned an MS in Communication and Information from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2024. Her graduate research focused on leadership and organizational change within a professional dance company, exploring how strategic leadership practices influence creative and administrative dynamics.
She now applies these insights to performing arts education in the public school system, bridging academic research with real-world impact to support student engagement and arts programming. Passionate about the intersection of communication, leadership, and the arts, Lively is dedicated to advancing arts education through evidence-based practices.
Research Interests
- Performing arts education
- Leadership
- Performance studies
PhD Committee
