Pellissippi State Community College
2022 Distance Learning Conference
Presenter Bios
Raquel Adams
Assistant Professor
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Raquel Adams is an Assistant Professor at Southwest Tennessee Community College, teaching Introduction to Art, Study Abroad, and Drawing courses in the Communications, Graphic, and Fine Arts department. She is a TBR HIP Ambassador for Technology Enhanced Learning. At Southwest Tennessee Community College she serves as the Co-Chair of the Academic Master Plan, working to designate a data-driven strategic plan for the institution. She is an Equity & Inclusion Practitioner as well as a Teaching Fellow for the STCC Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. She’s also an online course developer for Intro to Art courses. She’s served the college for 9 years and is focused on creating engaging and equitable practices that promote student success, soft skills, and fostering a culture of digital literacy for all.
Rachel Glazener
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Pellissippi State Community College
Rachel Glazener teaches the organic chemistry lecture and lab sequence. She was an early adopter of mobile tools for use in higher education. She has been a trainer for mobile tools for the Tennessee Board of Regents, participated in the faculty fellows program representing the technology enhanced learning high impact practice and she is now the faculty liaison for High Impact Practices at PSCC. She explores how to merge students’ access to technology, the learning that is needed to be successful in higher education, and how professors can harness the power of technology for student success.
Toby Tomlinson Baker, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor/Special Education
California University - Los Angeles;
Pepperdine University
Toby Tomlinson Baker has earned her Ph.D. from Pepperdine University and has been an adjunct professor at California State University-Los Angeles. Her expertise is in special education policy and best teaching practices for higher education faculty. Dr. Baker is a tireless advocate for postsecondary students with disabilities. She has published many articles, Opinion Editorials, and shared her research nationally on podcasts. Additionally, Dr. Baker is a special educator with Los Angeles Unified School District. As a researcher, adjunct professor, and educator, Dr. Baker has 13 years expertise as a special educator with deep understanding through the special circumstance of having a learning disability and ADHD herself. Today, she is a global advocate and champions perseverance and determination as instrumental in the academic success for students with disabilities. In 2018, Dr. Baker was awarded CHADD’s Educator of the Year. She has been recognized as a Top Performing Educator by LAUSD’s superintendent and was awarded the Harrison Sylvester Award in 2020 for her research by the Learning Disability Association of America (LDA). In 2021, Dr. Baker was awarded the Top Education Policy Writer for the award-winning magazine Exceptional Needs Today! and will be on the cover of the July edition with her story.
Leona M. Johnson, PhD
Faculty Member and Undergraduate Psychology Program Coordinator
Florida A&M University
Dr. Johnson earned a M.S. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Howard University, with a sub-specialty in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She also earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Strayer University. Dr. Johnson has extensive experience working with corporate companies such as IBM, Loral, and Lockheed Marin in various positions including Senior Program Management. She began her teaching career as an Adjunct Professor at Howard University in Summer 2004. At Hampton University, she served as an Associate Professor, Department Chair of Psychology, and Assistant Dean in the School of Liberal Arts. Prior to joining the Department of Psychology at Florida A & M University (FAMU) in Fall 2019, Dr. Johnson served as a Dissertation Chair at Grand Canyon University and an adjunct Professor at Liberty University. Currently Dr. Johnson serves as the Undergraduate Program Coordinator and a faculty member at FAMU. Dr. Johnson is actively engaged in research. She has authored various peer referred journal articles, a book, and a book chapter. Dr. Johnson’s research interests include classroom dynamics and the classroom learning environment (primarily from the student’s voice with a focus on culture and learning); learning modalities, innovative teaching strategies, teacher characteristics, and COVID-19’s influence on learning.
Marla Cartwright
Director, Academic Engagement & Innovation
Columbia State Community College
Marla Cartwright is Director of Academic Engagement and Innovation at Columbia State Community College overseeing distance education, faculty development, Media Services, the Tutoring and Learning Center and the newly launched Center for Teaching and Learning. Previously, she served as Director of the Center of Teaching and Learning at Purdue University Global. Marla has been an administrator and teacher in higher education for overy 25 years, both online and onground, encompassing the following areas: composition, literature, pop culture studies, developmental education, faculty training, and course design serving as in the roles of Faculty Developer, Assistant Chair of the Composition department, Director of the Writing Center and Chair of the Department of Student Success. Marla’s primary research interests include effective training development and delivery, specifically for faculty training including “The How To’s for a Successful Online Faculty Training Program” at the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Conference and multiple presentations for the Online Learning Consortium (formerly Sloan-C) and the Tennessee Board of Regents.
Stacy Manning
Instructor
Stacy holds a Master of Arts in History from the University of Iowa. She began her career teaching U.S. History and Government at the community college level, and has taught at both the community college and university levels since 2005. She teaches a variety of classes such as Entry Point, American History and Government. Instructor Manning has created and taught courses in both the brick-and-mortar and online modalities since 2006. She has also been a member of the Organization of American Historians since 2004. In her spare time she enjoys attending conferences, spending time with her family, traveling, home improvement, and gardening.
Dr. S. Dell Clemons
Adjunct Faculty, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (FIR)
University of Memphis
Dr. S. Dell Clemons is a Senior Business Analyst at the St. Jude Biomedical Graduate School. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis. Dr. Clemons has over 20 years of experience with training, developing, and educating adult learners. She is a dedicated and driven higher education professional with years of experience in instructional design, project management, coaching, advising and leadership. She has lead and assisted with several course designs and re-developments. In her doctoral studies, she conducted research to examine the effectiveness of an online course required for students on academic probation at the university. Dr. Clemons is an innovative leader who aspires to effectively connect with everyone she meets. In her free time, she loves to volunteer, travel, and spend time with her family.
Walter McCord
Dean of Career and Technical Programs
Motlow State Community College
Walter McCord earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree in International Business from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Currently, he just completed his CompTIA A+, Security+ Certifications. Also, he has a CWTS along with a MCSE and MCT from Microsoft. He started the Cyber Defense program at Motlow State Community College five years ago. They have grown from 6 students to 90. In January, he became the Dean of the Career and Technology Department responsible for the Business, Mechatronics, Information Technology and Cyber Defense Departments. He began a career in the information technology field as a programmer analyst in 1983. Over the next few years, he worked up the information technology hierarchy working as a systems analyst, systems engineer, project manager and eventually worked for a $350 million dollars consulting company in 1993. While at this company, he worked as a consultant, technical recruiter, instructor, and eventually became the Division Director. He was responsible for the Nashville, Tennessee division that had a 30 million dollar budget and 135 staff. During the economic meltdown of 2000, he left the consulting field and moved to Dublin Ireland. While living in Ireland, he began his second career as an instructor, first working as an instructor for IBM and at a university teaching management and web development courses. He returned to Nashville in late 2001 and worked as a Consultant, Adjunct Instructor, and Technical Writer. He enjoys teaching online courses because he truly enjoy helping others improve their knowledge and to help them improve themselves professionally. Since 2001, he developed online courses for more than 11 online universities.
Leslie Coffman
Assistant Professor of History
Pellissippi State Community College
Leslie Coffman is the Lead Instructor for U.S. History at Pellissippi State. She has over seven years of experience in teaching distance learning courses. Coffman focuses on the interconnectedness and divergence of cultural groups throughout U.S. history. Her hope is that students from various interests and backgrounds leave her class convinced that history matters to all of them. Therefore, much of her professional work centers around culturally responsive pedagogy. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and binge-watching shows on HBO.
Sarah McMurray
Interim Director, Disability Services
Pellissippi State Community College
No bio provided.
B. Darlene Davenport
World Language Specialists
Knox County Schools, Knoxville, TN
In 2002, Darlene returned home from Europe to find the French teacher in her hometown had retired abruptly two weeks into the academic year. Darlene deferred her admission to law school and agreed to teach until a French teacher could be hired. Since that fateful event, Darlene has taught college German, high school German, and high school English as a second language (ESL). In addition to serving as the World Language Specialist for Knox County Schools since 2017, she currently supervises and instructs job-embedded practitioners through a distance program in the Bailey Graduate School for World Language Teacher Education at her alma mater, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Other professional activities include serving as the vice-president for her local chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), mentoring new members of the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL), and advocating for world languages with the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL). Darlene holds a bachelor degree in German and Legal Studies and a master of science degree in Teacher Education in World Languages with concentrations in German and ESL. In her free time, Darlene enjoys attending performing arts events with her family.
Dr. Tanya R. Mooney
Core Faculty, Academic Engagement Center
University of Arizona Global Campus
Tanya is a Core Faculty at UAGC. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and two M.Ed. degrees (one in Elementary Education & one in Educational Counseling). Tanya currently lives between Arizona during the school year and North Dakota during the summer. She has been married to her husband, Andre’, since 1996. They have three adult children and five granddaughters. Prior to teaching Tanya was in the Air Force for twelve years and used her GI Bill to earn an education. She has served education in various roles including a curriculum specialist, curriculum developer, middle school math teacher, and principal. She has designed and taught various course modalities in higher education since 2008. Tanya takes part in hobbies that re-energize her. She and her husband play competitive pickleball and are part owners of a small pickleball company.
Charity Davenport
Instructional Technology Specialist (Accessibility)
Pellissippi State Community College
Charity Davenport is Pellissippi State's new Instructional Technology Specialist for Accessibility. In addition to accessibility, her passions are Universal Design for Learning (UDL), open educational resources (OER), open pedagogy and online social annotation.
Heather Moore
Adjunct Instructor, Business Administration
McHenry County College
Dr. Heather Moore is an adjunct instructor at McHenry County College and a full-time Coordinator of Faculty Development at University of the People. Her research interests focus on leadership, knowledge management, succession planning, employee turnover, and student engagement. As a student, she loved the convenience of online education, but wanted a more engaging class. It was intuitive that higher engagement was the key to more effective learning. As an instructor, she leverages technology to create the class she wished for as a student.
Cathlene Dollar
Associate Faculty, Academic Engagement Center, Information Literacthy
University of Arizona Global University
Cathlene received her bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, in English and History in 2008. In 2015, she received her master's degree from the University of Cape Town in South Africa in Religious Studies. More recently, she has been splitting time between the University of Cape Town and her permanent home and base, Minnesota, as she worked on a PhD, which was submitted for examination earlier this year. She is also a freelance editor, working mostly on academic publications. Her most beloved hobby is traveling, and as an avid runner, she tries to enter local road races wherever she visits. She loves to supplement endurance training with weightlifting, and by striving towards a healthy lifestyle which includes cooking, but also treating herself to new restaurants occasionally.
LaTonya Motley
Faculty in Educational Technology
Northland Pioneer College
LaTonya Motley has worked in higher education for more than fifteen years in the areas of instructional design, educational technology, and faculty development. In her current position at Northland Pioneer College, she is the Chair of the Instructional Technology and Curriculum Support Department and a Faculty in Educational Technology. Her research has been focused on the best practices for designing and delivering online instruction in higher education and strategies for reducing barriers to learning. LaTonya has facilitated numerous workshops and conference presentations on topics related to universal design for learning, course development, and web accessibility. She currently manages the 3-year, $100,000 Open Textbook for Rural Arizona grant at NPC. The goal of this grant project is for institutions to work together to create open educational resources and make them available to all educators in the state to reduce the cost of instructional material for students.
Dr. Maya Fernandez
Assistant Professor, Health Care Management
West Coast University
Dr. Maya Fernandez is passionate about student success and ensuring barriers are removed so all students can complete and reach their educational dreams. Most recently, Dr. Fernandez gave a TEDx Talk titled "We Are From Here." Dr. Fernandez is a member of the third cohort of the HACU Leadership Academy, which prepares individuals to take on administrative roles at colleges and universities. She is also an Aspen Institute Econcomic Opportunity Fellow. Dr. Fernandez has earned the following degrees: Doctor of Education, Educational Administration; MBA, Health Care Management, and BA, Criminal Justice.
Missy Newman
Spanish Instructor
Knox County Virtual Highs School, Knoxville, TN
Missy Newman has taught Spanish for 22 years. She has 11 years of experience teaching virtually, both in an asynchronous and synchronous format and has taught elementary school to college level classes over the course of her career. She currently teaches at Knox County Schools Virtual High School. In her free time, Missy enjoys reading and spending time with her three children and her husband.
Dr. Tamecca Fitzpatrick
Program Chair, Master of Art in Early Childhood Education Leadership
University of Arizona Global Campus
Dr. Tamecca Fitzpatrick is the Program Chair for the Master of Art in Early Childhood Education Leadership in the College of Education at the University of Arizona Global Campus. She obtained her Ed.D specializing in Early Childhood Education from University of North Texas. Her Master’s degree in Education and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology were earned at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Her work experience includes positions as an elementary classroom teacher a Diversity Scholar Lecturer, Professor and Author.
Kate O'Meara
Assistant Professor, English
Pellissippi State Community College
Kate O'Meara teaches English and ESL at Pellissippi State Community College, where she also serves as a member of the QEP Development Team and a co-champion for the Diversity and Inclusion cohort of Pellissippi Academy. She is particularly passionate about creating curriculum and classroom environments that foster a sense of belonging in all students.
Jasmine Floyd
Educational Technology Liaison
Knox County Schools, Knoxville, TN
Jasmine Floyd has been an educator for 13 years and currently serves as a K-12 Educational Technology Liaison for Knox County Schools in TN. She is passionate about supporting and coaching educators and providing the best learning environment for students. She has previously been an elementary science curriculum specialist and elementary teacher where she integrated technology throughout all subject areas. Currently, Jasmine is pursuing her Ph.D. in Education at Liberty University where her research is focused on elementary teacher efficacy in Christian private and public schools.
Jennifer Robinson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Arizona Global Campus
Jennifer Robinson is an Associate Professor in the Academic Engagement Center at the University of Arizona Global Campus. She earned a Ph.D. in education with specializations in literacy and English as a Second Language from Washington State University, an M.A. in applied linguistics and TESOL from Ohio University, and a B.S. in Psychology (specializing in Human Development/Gerontology and Cognition) from Washington State University. Dr. Jen began her adult-career trajectory as a social worker and fell in love with teaching through her positions as a social worker. She then fell into the field of ESL/Bilingual Education and moved forward into teaching full time. Dr. Jen has taught in Washington, Ohio, Delaware, and Wisconsin and presented at US TESOL, MexTESOL, in England and Northern Ireland. She has taught K-12 ESL, elementary and middle regular education, higher education ESL, and undergraduate and graduate school. Her research interests include using professional learning communities in online teaching environments, supporting online students, English language learners’ reading and writing, and providing successful feedback meant to support students’ learning.
Lisa Hammonds
Computer Information Technology Faculty
Northlake College
No bio provided.
Benjamin Sorensen
Associate Faculty, Academic Engagement Center, Information Literacy
University of Arizona Global
Ben received his bachelor’s from Excelsior College in Music and History, and received a master’s in Ancient History from American Public University. He has been teaching at UAGC since 2013, first starting in the History Department before moving over to teach GEN 103: Information Literacy. He also has been teaching history at Cape Fear Community College full-time, as well as acting as a tutor for Slovak Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently working on his PhD in Ethnology and History, focusing on Slovak immigration to the United States. He currently lives in Wilmington, North Carolina with his wife and two children.
Dr. Teresa Handy
Assistant Professor, Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education Leadership Program
University of Arizona Global University
Dr. Teresa Handy is an Assistant Professor in the Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education Leadership Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arizona Global Campus. Dr. Handy is the former Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at an all-girl private school. She has worked in public, charter, and private schools as an early childhood and elementary educator and a learning specialist. She has presented at national and international conferences, serves as a journal reviewer, and is a published author. Her first children's book, "I Have an Elephant in my Ear", tackles how to have courageous conversations with young children about the diversity of abilities. Finally, Dr. Handy is an active community volunteer where she lives in Memphis, TN and she serves as a board member of a charter school.
Erika Stevens
Associate Professor, Spanish
Walter State Community College
Erika Stevens recently completed her EdD at the University of Memphis in Instructional and Curricular Leadership, Instructional Design and Technology with a focus in online foreign language courses. Dr. Stevens is an Associate Professor of Spanish and Lead Faculty of Foreign Languages at Walters State Community College where she also serves at the Faculty Senate President. One of her passions is designing communicative online foreign language classes. While currently completing her 12th year at Walters State, over her 31 years of teaching, she also has taught in K-12 as well as a 4-year institution in the private, public, and homeschool sectors. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, running, canning, and reading.
Diane Hilbrink, Ph.D.
Associate Faculty, Academic Engagement Center, Information Literacy, and Library Media Science
University of Arizona Global
Diane earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, she acquired a Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Library and Information science. She fulfilled her dream and got her Ph.D. in Language and Literacy in 2014 from Cardinal Stritch University. She works as a middle school librarian at a large public middle school in Wisconsin. Diane currently lives in southeastern Wisconsin and enjoys reading, painting, going to concerts, and being with her family and friends. She loves to travel when she can and also enjoys sewing and other crafts. She is currently busy making clothes and other items for her granddaughter who is due in November (2021).
Cheryl Tays
Competency-Based Education Curriculum Coordinator
Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)
Cheryl Tays is a veteran of creating quality course design for all modalities that contributes to student success. She is currently finishing her 27th year in education serving faculty and students at both secondary and post-secondary levels as instructor, technology coach, instructional designer, and professional development trainer. She holds Master’s Degrees in Human Resource Development and Instructional Design and an Education Specialist Degree in Education Leadership. Cheryl has used her passion for education and experience at all levels to create professional development to help empower other educators. She has recently presented at UT Martin’s ELLI Conference and Tennessee Department of Education’s Career-Tech Education Summer Institute. Cheryl is currently serving at the Tennessee Board of Regents as a Competency-Based Education Curriculum Coordinator and working with a team of professionals to develop a competency-based education model that will be available for adoption by TBR’s community colleges. Outside of TBR responsibilities, Cheryl enjoys spending time with children and grandchildren, dabbling in hobbies (scrapbooking, embroidery, and quilting), and maintaining her church social media and website.
If you need assistance today, please contact:
Dr. Paul Ramp - pframp@pstcc.edu/(865) 539-6691
Dr. Stephanie Markowitz - ssmarkowitz@pstcc.edu/(865) 539-7031
