Derrick has been working for the University of Tennessee Gardens since 2012. He is the Education and Horticultural Therapy Program Administrator for the UT Gardens. Derrick is responsible for directing education programs and horticultural therapy programs for the UT Gardens, Knoxville location. He received his bachelor’s degree from Maryville College in 2003 with a double major in environmental studies and outdoor recreation. After graduating, Derrick spent a year as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Knoxville working with Ijams Nature Center and its Earth Flag program teaching environmental education to students in Knox County schools.

Derrick went on to complete his master’s degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Tennessee in 2006. He spent five years directing the national camp program for the Amputee Coalition of America and was also their Annual Giving Manager.

Derrick has developed numerous programs for the UT Gardens including horticultural therapy programs. He is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). In 2015 he became a registered Horticultural Therapist (HTR) through the American Horticultural Therapy Association. Derrick served on the Board of Directors for the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) from 2016-2018. He has also presented on therapeutic gardening at national and regional conferences. In 2016, he received the Rhea McCandliss Professional Service Award from the AHTA for his contributions to the horticultural therapy profession. Derrick is has a PhD from the University of Tennessee in Plant Soil and Environmental Science with his research focusing on horticultural therapy.