Kristen  Deiter v. Tennessee Tech University

Case Background

On July 8, 2022, Plaintiff  Kristen Deiter filed a Sex discrimination lawsuit in the Tennessee Middle District Court, North Eastern Division (Case number: 2:22cv00030). Judge   Waverly D. Crenshaw presided over this case.

Cause

Dr. Kristen Deiter, an assistant professor at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN, joined the faculty in 2011, specializing in British Literature, focusing on Shakespeare and the Elizabethan period in London. Renowned internationally as a published scholar, she earned tenure in 2017. In the fall of 2020, Deiter applied for a promotion to full professor, submitting a detailed dossier that showcased her scholarship, publications, teaching excellence, and service to the university. Her peers highly praised her contributions, and a peer review committee recommended her promotion in May 2021.

Injuries

Deiter claimed that the promotion denial constituted sex discrimination and caused professional and emotional harm. She identified two male assistant professors at Tennessee Tech who were promoted to full professor despite inferior scholarship records. The university’s actions, she alleged, negatively impacted her career trajectory, reputation, and standing in academia.

Damages

Deiter sought compensatory damages, including the $10,000 annual salary difference between an assistant professor and a full professor. She also claimed emotional harm due to the alleged sex discrimination and repeated denials despite her peers’ support. Although she remained a professor at Tennessee Tech, she argued that the promotion denial caused significant financial losses and emotional distress.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Kristen Deiter
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Richard L. Colbert | Sarah M. Ingalls | Thompson Burton
  • Defendant(s): Tennessee Tech University
    • Counsel for Defendants: Ashley Carter | Ryan N. Henry

Claims

Deiter filed a lawsuit against Tennessee Tech University, alleging sex discrimination in violation of federal anti-discrimination laws. She argued that her scholarship, teaching, and service exceeded those of male colleagues who were promoted. By pointing to disparities in promotion practices, she claimed the university engaged in a discrimination claim that unfairly targeted her based on her sex.

Defense

Tennessee Tech University denied the allegations of sex discrimination and argued that the promotion decision relied solely on merit. The university maintained that the rank of full professor represented the highest academic achievement and was not guaranteed. Tennessee Tech asserted that promotions required faculty to demonstrate superior performance across all areas, including scholarship.

However, Tennessee Tech University’s president, Phil Oldham, reviewed Deiter’s dossier and acknowledged her strengths but concluded that her scholarship did not meet the university’s rigorous standards for promotion. The university also dismissed comparisons to the male professors Deiter referenced, arguing that their promotions were merit-based and unrelated to her case. Tennessee Tech defended its decision as fair, consistent with policy, and devoid of discriminatory intent.

Jury Verdict

On December 11, 2024, the jury ruled that Dr. Kristen Deiter proved by a preponderance of the evidence that Tennessee Tech University engaged in sex discrimination. However, the jury awarded her no damages, rejecting her claims for financial compensation or emotional harm. The jury wrote “0” for damages on the verdict form. Judge Crenshaw entered a final judgment reflecting the verdict, which found in favor of Deiter on the issue of sex discrimination but provided no monetary relief or additional remedies.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com