The Mathematics Department at the University of Tennessee hired two outreach mathe maticians in 2000. Outreach mathematicians are responsible for enhancing K–12 mathematics education, a goal formally recognized in very few research mathematics departments. Typical activities include school visits, presentation of teacher workshops, organization of service-learning and student volunteers, service on local and national committees, collaboration with education faculty, grant writing, and publication of scholarly articles. Research mathematicians find the role challenging because they must adapt to varying cultures outside of those encountered in regular teaching and research. Requirements for tenure and promotion differ somewhat from those for regular faculty and provide a challenge to the department and the university as much as to the candidates. However, the unique nature of the positions provides an opportunity for innovation and can serve as a model for other institutions.