Dr. Robert Knott earned a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics/Education from Wake Forest University, a B.D. in Social Ethics from Southeastern Seminary, an M.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Wake Forest University, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy/Higher Education from SUNY/Buffalo. He has also completed additional Graduate Study in Mathematics and Physics at North Carolina State University and Mathematics at Wake Forest University.

Since 1999, Robert Knott has served as Chancellor of Mars Hill College where he has been the chief operating officer responsible for all programs and personnel of the College. During his term as Chancellor, he led the SACS reaccreditation process to successful reaffirmation; administered the implementation of a new three-school structure and recruited and appointed Deans; coordinated the process for strategic planning of facilities development and securing of $10 million bond to initiate renovation of facilities; and, coordinated planning and adoption of a new General Studies Curriculum, securing a $400,000 grant for its implementation.

Prior to his service at Mars Hill College, Dr. Knott served from 1989-1999 as President of Tusculum College. During his tenure as President he rebuilt the Board of Trustees with 36 new members (Trustee annual giving increased from $50,000 to $435,000), led the implementation of a distinctive curriculum with a distinctive academic calendar, and shared academic governance structure and led an increase in enrollment from 564 to 1,516 students while increasing average ACT scores by five points. All residence halls were renovated, a new all-purpose center was constructed, a new gymnasium was built, all classrooms were upgraded and library holdings were computerized. He also led a strategic planning process which resulted in a reformulated institutional mission/purpose statement.

Dr. Knott has held several other administrative positions, including Provost of Catawba College from 1982-1989, Dean of the College at Arkansas College, and Academic Vice President and Dean of the College at Gardner-Webb College. He has taught Philosophy at Catawba College, Tusculum College and Mars Hill College, and Mathematics at Wake Forest University.

Dr. Knott is professionally active and in recent years has led Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaccreditation team visits, has served on the Kettering Foundation panel of college presidents reviewing the state of higher education, and has served as a Board member for the Tennessee Foundation of Independent Colleges and for the Appalachian College Association. He serves on the Board of the Greene County Partnership for Business and Economic Development, has led the Greene County Leadership Development Committee, is a member of the Exchange Club of Greeneville, is a Board member of the Educational Partnership Program in Green County, was a member of the organizing committee to introduce character education to Greeneville City Schools, and has taught several enrichment programs for Greeneville area adults.

Dr. Knott is married to Brenda Sue Harris who is a librarian and archivist. She served as librarian in the Salisbury Schools and as archivist of Tusculum College. They have two children: Andrea Knott Brewer, a classicist and collectible bear artist and Robert Knott, Jr., a student personnel officer with a graduate degree in Asian studies.