2 0 2 4
AGENDA ATAGLANCE
*All times listed are in Central Standard Time
TIME
8:00am Check-in & Networking Tennessee Room 1 & 2
8:30am-9:30am Opening Session Tennessee Room 1 & 2
9:30am-9:45am Break Conference Center North
9:45am-10:45am Concurrent Sessions Conference Center North
10:45am-11:00am Break Conference Center North
11:00am-12:00pm Concurrent Sessions Conference Center North
12:00pm-1:15pm Lunch/Break Tennessee Room 1 & 2
1:15pm-2:15pm Concurrent Sessions Conference Center North
2:15pm-2:30pm Break Conference Center North
2:30pm-3:30pm Concurrent Sessions Conference Center North
3:30pm-4:00pm Closing Session Tennessee Room 1 & 2
CONCURRENTSESSIONS
9:45am-10:45am
Can’t you just count it? It’s Gen Ed at my old school Why do I have to petition it here?
Win-Win-Win Partnerships
tnAchieves’ Role in the Transfer Landscape: Advancing Transfer Outcomes for TN Promise Students
Tracking Transfer: Articulation & Transfer in Tennessee Higher Education 2024 Report
From the Green Mountain to the North Star: A TBR General Education Journey
Reimagining the Community College Experience: Embedding Workforce-Ready Certifications for Student-Centered Success and Streamlined Transfers
11:00am-12:00pm
1:15pm-2:15pm
Expanded Online Degree Programs and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville - Creating Additional Pathways for Community College Graduates
Room
Room D
Room A/C
Room E
Room D
Room A/C
Strategies for Attacking, Retaining, and Graduating Adult Learners Conference Room E
Adopting and Adapting the Value Rubrics for General Education Assessments
Institutional Belonging: Fostering a Sense of Belonging for Transfer Students
D Loading Digital Transfer Course Work - Let’s Do This!
Navigating New Terrain: Internal and External Changes during Volunteer Core Implementation
2:30pm-3:30pm Hook Your Gen Ed Class to Career Competencies Day One Multimedia Room
MTSU Blueprints: Pathways in the Core Conference Room D
Unlocking Cambridge Potential: Navigating Credit Policies for AS and A Level Students in Tennessee Higher Education
CONCURRENT SESSION 1
9:45 am - 10:45 am
Session 1A: Multimedia Room
Panel Title: Can’t You Just Count it? It’s Gen Ed at my Old School. Why Do I Have to Petition it Here?
Joel Wells, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Diana Fryar, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Students who transfer to the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (UTC) have often completed courses that satisfy general education requirements at their prior institutions. Courses from private institutions or public institutions outside Tennessee that did not exactly match a course we offered at UTC were required to go through a petition process to be evaluated for satisfying gen ed requirements at UTC. Based on conversations with faculty, department heads, and advisors, we changed the approach for the initial transfer gen ed evaluation. This has streamlined the transfer process for students coming from public institutions outside Tennessee as well as private institutions across the country.
Session 1B: Conference Room D
Panel Title: Win-Win-Win Partnerships
Brandi Huskey, East Tennessee State University
Whitney Marlowe, East Tennessee State University
Partnerships look different across the state. In Sevier County, local government entities and business partners with educational entities provide access and funding for local students to complete degrees. Pathways have been built by cooperation and collaboration among Partners in Progress, TCAT Morristown, Walters State Community College, and East Tennessee State University.
Session 1C: Conference Room A/C
Panel Title: tnAchieves’ Role In the Transfer Landscape: Advancing Transfer Outcomes for TN Promise Students
Kierra Rodriguez, tnAchieves
In this session, tnAchieves will detail how they have expanded the scale of its transfer pilot program by merging it with its parent program, COMPLETE. COMPLETE is a proactive, high-impact coaching model where students receive individualized support on the path to completing their associate degree with TN Promise. More than half of the approximately 10,000 COMPLETE students that tnAchieves coaches each year express interest in transferring to a 4-year institution after graduation. COMPLETE coaches assist students in navigating transfer by helping with each step of the admissions and enrollment process, assisting students in their search for transfer scholarships, connecting students with 4-year institution staff members and events, and providing students with transferspecific resources.
Session 1D: Conference Room E
Panel Title: Tracking Transfer: Articulation & Transfer in Tennessee Higher Education Report
Paige Elliot, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
In a world of "enrollment cliffs", restrictions on certain admissions practices, and questions about the value of college, postsecondary institutions may turn toward transfer students to increase enrollments where traditional-aged, first-time freshmen are scarce. Despite increasing prevalence of transfer student enrollment, data on these students can be limited. Attendees will hear about how THEC's annual transfer report defines transfer students and what the latest data on these students tells us about transfer student success. This session will share recommendations for improving transfer in the state based on what the data shows and will conclude with time for feedback on what questions remain unanswered about transfer students.
CONCURRENT SESSION 2
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Session 2A: Multimedia Room
Panel Title: From the Green Mountain to the North Star: A TBR General Education Journey
Dr. Robert Denn, Tennessee Board of Regents
Dr. Barry Gidcomb, Tennessee Board of Regents
Presenters will guide the audience through TBR's 5-year breathtaking journey to redesign the 23-yearold, pre-FOCUS, typewriter-written, photocopied, general education model. The re-visioned TBR Core will take effect in the fall 2025 term with a spring soft launch of Core Campus Campaigns at all 13 community colleges. Presenters will describe the exhilaration of finding consensus among 3000 faculty on 13 campuses while designing an elegant and innovative framework (code for change) to energize general education for the associate degree-seeking student body -- all while retaining transferability to universities, many of whom are also revising their models.
Session 2B: Conference Room D
Panel Title: Reimagining the Community College Experience: Embedding Workforce Ready Certifications for Student-Centered Success and Streamlined Transfers
Ms. LaJOYce Harris, Southwest Community College
Dr. Nathan Washington, Southwest Community College
How can community colleges and four-year universities significantly boost transfer and graduation rates by reimagining the student experience from start to finish? This presentation explores transformative strategies for designing a seamless educational journey, focusing on embedding workforce-ready certifications within community college curricula. Learn how innovative partnerships and redefined degree pathways can break down transfer barriers, creating a cohesive ecosystem that supports students' success and promotes efficient transitions between institutions.
Session 2C: Conference Room A/C
Panel Title: Expanded Online Degree Programs and the University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleCreating Additional Pathways for Community College Graduates
Dr. Julie Longmire, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Brittany Hunt-Woods, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Ginny Valentin, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is committed to empowering learners of all ages and backgrounds through accessible and affordable education. At UTK, this includes providing access through multiple modalities including fully online undergraduate programs. With the creation of our new digital learning unit, and distance education program nearly doubling within the past year, it is an exciting time to consider studying coursework at UTK! This session aims to raise awareness about the various programs offered in a distance education format, services provided for online students, and how you can encourage your students to apply for these programs in the future.
Session 2D: Conference Room E
Panel Title: Strategies for Attracting, Retaining, and Graduating Adult Learners
Tracy Robinson, University of Memphis
This session will outline the strategies developed by the University of Memphis over the last 15 years to reach and support these adult learners on their journey to a postsecondary credential. The strategies include robust Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) opportunities, a degree completion program launched in 2013 to reach adult learners who stopped attending just shy of earning their bachelor’s degree, and corporate partnerships that remove as many barriers as possible so that employees can fully utilize their tuition assistance benefits. The presenter will reflect on the evolution of the strategies, outline challenges and significant achievements to date, and look ahead to what’s on the horizon. You will hear real case scenarios and leave with tips on how to incorporate these strategies in both the credit and noncredit divisions at your institution.
CONCURRENT SESSION3
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm
Session 3A: Multimedia Room
Panel Title: Adopting and Adapting the Value Rubrics for General Education Assessments
Dr. Kate Drezek McConnell, American Association of Colleges and Universities
This interactive workshop explores the transformative potential of AAC&U's VALUE (Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education) rubrics as both assessment tools and catalysts for pedagogical innovation in general education. Participants will discover how these rubrics can bridge the gap between assessment requirements and meaningful teaching practices, fostering a culture of teaching, learning, and assessment that engages faculty and enhances student learning outcomes. Through hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, attendees will: Examine strategies for adapting VALUE rubrics to align with institutional contexts while maintaining their reliability and validity; Explore how faculty can leverage these rubrics to inform course design, assignment creation, and feedback practices; Learn effective approaches for building faculty buy-in and ownership of the assessment process; Discover how to use rubric data to drive meaningful conversations about teaching and learning.
Session 3B: Conference Room D
Panel Title: Institutional Belonging: Fostering a Sense of Belonging for Transfer Students
Ashley Kautz, Austin Peay State University
Nationally, transfer student enrollment is on the rise, and Tennessee is following this trend. However, despite the steady increase in transfer students, degree attainment rates vary widely among institutions. A 2024 report highlighted that only about one-third of students who begin at community colleges go on to transfer to four-year institutions, and just 16% earn a bachelor's degree within six years. This session will explore best practices for enhancing institutional belonging for transfer students. By examining research and successful strategies from a mid-sized public institution, participants will gain valuable insights and actionable strategies to improve the transfer experience at their own institutions.
Session 3C: Conference Room A/C
Panel Title: Loading Digital Transfer Course Work - Let’s Do This!
Dr. Darla Keel, University of Memphis
Dr. Verontae Deams, Tennessee State University
As institutions strive to become more transfer-student friendly, it is time to free up limited staff resources who are spending countless hours hand typing transfer coursework in our systems. Though we have rock stars entering our transfer coursework in Undergraduate admissions, their time could be used to audit data, ensure that we are building articulation tables, check repeats, and boost student outreach to give a better, personalized experience. The University of Memphis has partnered with Parchment to implement Smart Panda Raptor, which is going live this Fall. Parchment and Raptor will allow us to use OCR technology to lift transfer coursework from PDF documents as well as accepting XML transcript data between Receive Premium subscription partners. We will be able to send digital files with transfer coursework to load directly into Banner SHATAEQ, eliminating data entry into Banner. We are also able to deliver a copy of the transcript for recordkeeping in Slate, onBase, and other digital repositories. This presentation will cover why this tool will be critical in our improvement of the transfer experience, the cost, technical lift, and more.
Session 3D: Conference Room E
Panel Title: Navigating New Terrain: Internal and External Changes during Volunteer Core Implementation
Katherine Ambroziak, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. Justin Arft, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Michael McFall, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. Michelle Violanti, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Volunteer Core combines the traditional general education coursework with innovative coursework designed to better prepare students for life after college. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, began revising our general education requirements prior to the pandemic and was originally set to implement the changes in Fall 2020 at the height of the global health pandemic (COVID-19). Our implementation was pushed back to Fall 2022 with assessment beginning in Fall 2023. Participants on this panel discuss the implementation process from the perspective of submitters, campus academic units, administering Volunteer Core at the college level, and engaging in the assessment process.
CONCURRENT SESSION 4
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Session 4A: Multimedia Room
Panel Title: Hook Your Gen Ed Class to Career Competencies Day One
Dr. Jessica Rabb, Nashville State Community College
Show your gen ed students day one the connections between your class and the career competencies they want to grow. The presenter will demonstrate how to engage students in a discussion of relevant career competencies and their application in the classroom This activity can serve as an icebreaker and promote a sense of belonging as faculty guide students to the purpose of your class as they move along an academic pathway towards a future career.
Session 4B: Conference Room D
Panel Title: MTSU Blueprints - Pathways in the Core
Dr. Susan Myers-Shirk, Middle Tennessee State University
Dr. Susanne Sutherford, Middle Tennessee State University
Dr. Natalie Hoskins, Middle Tennessee State University
Kate Goodwin, Middle Tennessee State University
With the 2024 launch of Middle Tennessee State University's new general education curriculum, the True Blue Core, Core faculty have turned their attention to the development of Blueprints. Blueprints are curated, thematically related, collections of courses that students can take to navigate the core requirement and earn digital credentials. Faculty collaborate to create and sustain Blueprints, aiming to help students see connections across disciplines and across college and, theoretically, to their majors, careers, and lives. During academic year (AY) 2023-2024, MTSU Faculty Learning Communities, made up of departmental True Blue Core liaisons, tackled the question of how to implement Blueprints and create something that would offer value-added for students. During AY 2024-2025, again using the faculty learning community model, faculty will identify and confirm Blueprints topics with the goal of implementing Blueprints for the 2025-2026 academic year. In this session, the presenters will explore the structure and value, for both faculty and students, of guided pathways in a Core or general education curriculum as well as explaining the process, next steps, and implications for transfer for those interested in implementing something similar at their institutions.
Session 4C: Conference Room A/C
Panel Title: Unlocking Cambridge Potential: Navigating Credit Policies for AS and A Level Students in Tennessee Higher Education
Dr. Steven Berryhill, Tennessee Board of Regents
Janet Swandol, Cambridge International
In 2024, nearly 300,000 Cambridge AS and A Level exams were taken by U.S. students, some of whom may be enrolling at your institution. However, many colleges and universities in Tennessee are still unfamiliar with these students and the unique value they bring to your campus. Establishing a creditby-exam policy can be challenging, and the process of determining course equivalencies can be overwhelming. In this session, the presenters will examine examples of the procedures and stakeholders involved in integrating Cambridge courses into higher education credit policies. Attendees will learn how to leverage Cambridge resources to support faculty committees, streamline academic processes, and foster cross-sector collaboration, all of which are crucial for awarding credit that helps students progress toward graduation.
Session 4D: Conference Room E
Panel Title: Prior Credit Evaluation for Veterans and Other Students
Dr. Ken Hanson, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Evaluating student transcripts for eligible prior credit can enhance a student's academic career. Schools should establish policies and procedures for students to follow to request an evaluation and the students should be informed of how to start the review. Schools approved to use veterans' education benefits are required to gather all eligible student transcripts and conduct an evaluation to determine if any credit can transfer. These same processes can be standard for all students. If credit is transferred that meets the student's program of study, these approved credits should be added to their program of study and proportionally shorten their time in school. Schools have the final decision for credits applied to their program.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Kate Drezek McConnell
AAC&U Vice President for Curricular and Pedagogical Innovation and Executive Director of VALUE
Kate Drezek McConnell, PhD, is Vice President for Curricular and Pedagogical Innovation and Executive Director of VALUE. Prior to taking on this role, Dr. McConnell served as American Association of Colleges and Universities' (AAC&U) Assistant Vice President for Research and Assessment and Director of the VALUE Institute, AAC&U’s nationwide assessment system that enables any higher education provider (institution, PCE program, academic department, state, consortium, etc.) to collect and upload samples of student work to a digital repository and have the work scored by certified VALUE Institute scorers for external validation of institutional learning assessment. An educational psychologist by training, Dr. McConnell has written extensively on the reliability and validity of the VALUE approach to assessment.
Her other research and campus consultations focus on using course-embedded assessment to improve teaching and learning while also addressing accountability and accreditation requirements; course-embedded assessment; aligning pedagogy with assessment efforts; faculty development; and leveraging the
learning sciences in teaching, assessment, and evaluation. Before joining AAC&U, Dr. McConnell spent ten years at Virginia Tech working in assessment and evaluation as well as serving as affiliate faculty in Virginia Tech’s graduate program in educational psychology, teaching courses on cognitive processes and effective college teaching. She received a BA from the University of Virginia, MA in history from Providence College (Rhode Island), and a PhD in educational psychology from Virginia Tech.
Areas of Expertise
Course-Embedded Assessment
Aligning Pedagogy with Assessment Efforts
Rubrics
Faculty Development
Leveraging the Learning Sciences in the Classroom
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Katherine B. Ambroziak, James R. Cox Professor, is an Associate Professor of Architecture and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Architecture and Design at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. In her administrative role, she is responsible for academic planning and integrity within the college, working with her dean and school directors to maintain standards in accordance with program accreditations, assessment requirements, curriculum development, and student success. As a faculty member, she teaches undergraduate design studios and building technology. A licensed architect in the State of Tennessee, she is active in community engagement and engaged research, focusing on issues of public land reclamation in marginalized communities.
Justin Arft is an Associate Professor of Classics in the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. As part of his service responsibilities, he has been a member of Undergraduate Council and the Volunteer Core subcommittee where he participates in the approval process of Volunteer Core proposals. His department has a significant number of courses with Volunteer Core designations, and thus assessment responsibilities. As a faculty member, he conducts research on Homer and Archaic Greek Poetry, The Ancient Greek Epic Cycle, as well as Manuscript Traditions and Textual Transmission
Dr. Steven Berryhill, Jr. currently serves as the Director of Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSO) at the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). In his role at TBR, he is responsible for developing, administering, and monitoring programs aimed at expanding equitable access, participation, and articulation of credit for all EPSO coursework to support TBR’s mission of student success and workforce development. With over 10 years of higher education experience, Dr. Berryhill is passionate about teaching, learning, STEM, and improving student success. Prior to joining TBR, he served as Research Coordinator of the Tennessee STEM Education Center (TSEC) at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). He also worked as Coordinator of Identification & Access Control, Mathematics Instructor & Tutor, and Pre-College Engineering Coordinator at Tennessee State University (TSU). Dr. Berryhill earned both his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Masters in Environmental Engineering from Tennessee State University, and his Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University.
Verontae L. Deams, Ed.D. serves as the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management at Tennessee State University. With over a decade of experience in higher education administration, Dr. Deams specializes in strategic enrollment management, student mentorship, and academic administration. He holds an Ed.D. from Lipscomb University and is currently pursuing an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Deams has successfully led initiatives that significantly increased first-time freshman enrollment and has been a strong advocate for leveraging data-driven approaches to enhance student success. He has a deep commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across higher education.
Associate Professor, Department of Classics University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Director of Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSO), Tennessee Board of Regents
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Architecture University of Tennessee, Knoxville
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Dr. Robert Denn is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents. Robert has had the privilege of working with faculty across disciplines at TBR’s 13 Community Colleges to energize the general education experience for the next generation of students. He is driven by the principles of duty, honor, kindness, humility, and integrity. Robert believes that the purpose of higher education is for every person to discover and develop his/her talents in order to help others and make the world a better place.
Paige Elliott is the Senior Director of Research and Strategy at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. In this role, Paige oversees the statutory reporting functions of the Research and Strategy team, innovating the team’s reach through research collaboration and improved outputs. Before joining THEC/TSAC in 2021, she worked as staff and as an adjunct professor at Cleveland and Chattanooga State Community Colleges. She holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of California, Davis and a bachelor’s degree in political science and psychology from Lee University.
Diana Fryar is the current Associate Registrar for Transfer and Degree Audit at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has been a dedicated member of the Registrar's Office for over a decade. Starting as a Student Services Coordinator, she's steadily risen through the office, gaining invaluable experience in various roles such as Academic History Specialist, NCAA Academic Certification Officer, and Assistant Registrar. Her deep understanding of the Registrar's Office, from front-desk operations to complex policy and curriculum matters, has equipped her to excel in her current position. She is passionate about ensuring a smooth and efficient transfer process for students, working closely with her team to award credits accurately and minimize obstacles that could hinder their academic progress towards degree completion.
Barry Gidcomb is a Professor of History and the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Columbia State Community College. During his 40-year tenure at Columbia State he has served in a number of capacities from Lead Faculty of History to Faculty Senate President. He served as the Faculty Regent to TBR in 2010-2011. A 1978 Columbia State graduate, Barry went on to earn a bachelor's and a master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a doctorate from Illinois State University.
Dr. Barry Gidcomb Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences, Columbia State Community College
Senior Director of Research & Strategy, Tennessee Higher Education Commission/Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
Academic Affairs, Tennessee Board of Regents
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Kate Goodwin has a B.S. in Speech and Theatre from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre: Stage Management from the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign. Goodwin began her career teaching Theatre at the Nashville School for the Arts. Since then, she has taught in the Theatre Departments at University of Memphis, Eastern Kentucky University, Asbury University, and Centre College before joining the faculty of the MTSU Department of Theatre and Dance where she teaches and mentors both the Stage Management and Theatre Education students. One of her many hats as Associate Professor is serving as the department’s General Education Liaison for the True Blue Core redesign. In addition to her work in academia, Goodwin is a freelance stage and production manager, and serves as the Director for the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.
Education/Director, Tennessee State Approving Agency
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Ken serves as the Director of the Tennessee State Approving Agency (TN-SAA) at Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and has been with the agency for over 5 years. This position is responsible for the continuing approval and compliance of institutions authorized to use Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits in the state of Tennessee. Prior to the current position, he served as the Assistant Director of Adult Learners Initiatives and focused on the Tennessee Reconnect program, Veterans Reconnect grant, LEAP grant, and developed the Tennessee Servicemember Opportunity Portal (TN-SOP.tn.gov) for listing military experience for prior learning credit at Tennessee public higher education institutions. Prior to that, he was the Manager/Director of Adult Learners and Veterans Affairs and School Certifying Official at Volunteer State Community College. Ken is also a retired US Air Force Major having served for nearly 23 years. During his time in the military, he taught M/HH-60 Helicopter Flight Engineer flight training and was a program manager/curriculum developer for three flight programs. As an officer, he taught Professional Military Education at Squadron Officer School for Air Force captains. Later he was the Chair, Leadership department for the Squadron Officer School and Air and Space Basic Course. During his deployment to Iraq, he assisted in developing the Iraqi Air Force Academy curriculum and taught English as a second language to Iraqi Air Force trainees. Ken is married to Sandra, (Navy veteran), and they have three children, Ashlee, Amber, and Zach.
LaJOYce Harris is a dynamic community advocate and seasoned project manager with over 15 years of experience in workforce development, human resources, and organizational growth. A native Memphian, she is deeply committed to her community, driven by Christian values, and has a mission to empower individuals from all walks of life. LaJOYce earned her Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Development Systems with a minor in Nonprofit Management from The University of Memphis and multiple associate degrees from Southwest Tennessee Community College. She is also certified in Lean Six Sigma (Yellow and Green Belt), equipping her with the analytical skills necessary to enhance business processes and promote efficiency. As the Co-founder of Arrow Academy of Excellence Charter School, LaJOYce emphasizes the importance of workforce-ready certifications and entrepreneurship, bridging the gap between education and employment. Her leadership in various roles, including Project Manager at Southwest Tennessee Community College, led to the rapid success of embedding 30+ workforce-ready certifications into community college curricula in under ten months, showcasing her dedication to innovative educational pathways. Join LaJOYce as she shares transformative strategies to reimagine the community college experience, enhancing transfer and graduation rates while fostering a supportive ecosystem for every student's journey to success.
Reimagining CommUNITY College Project Manager, Southwest Community College
Middle Tennessee State University
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Natalie Hoskins earned her Ph.D. in communication studies from the University of Kansas. In her six years as a faculty member at MTSU, her research examining supportive communication and gender socialization among domestic violence perpetrators has enabled her to design and deliver facilitator trainings to Batterer Intervention Program (BIP) practitioners around the world. Her work has been described as “ground-breaking” by members of the BIP community. As an applied scholar, she has recently turned her attention to examining student success through the frameworks of personal and community wellness. With an eye toward innovation and improvement, she has consistently supported departmental and university goals of improving student outcomes by designing curriculum, developing new courses, and reimagining existing courses for online delivery. After several years serving as a departmental liaison to the redesign of MTSU’s general education curriculum, now True Blue Core, she currently serves as the True Blue Core coordinator for the department of communication studies.
Brittany Hunt-Woods is the Assistant Director for the College of Arts & Sciences advising at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has been employed there since 2014. Brittany currently works with incoming transfer students interested in distance education programs along with recruitment initiatives for the college.
Brandi Huskey is the Interim Director of Off-Campus Programs for East Tennessee State University. She has over ten years of experience in distance education, serving students from all walks of life. Her skills span from event planning to student services to program development and facility management. She received her BS in Sport Management in 2006 from East Tennessee State University and an MA in Religion and Leadership from Liberty University in 2013. She will graduate in May 2025 with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from East Tennessee State University. Brandi currently serves as the Secretary of the Board for Leadership Sevier and will graduate from Leadership East Tennessee in November 2024. She enjoys traveling, quality time in the mountains, singing, reading, and spending time with her husband, Michael, and their dog-child, Hooskie.
College of Arts & Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
East Tennessee State University
Dr. Natalie Hoskins
True Blue Core Liaison, Department of Communication Studies, Middle Tennessee State University
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
A graduate of Austin Peay State University, Ashley started her higher education career there as an Admissions Counselor. This experience working with students who were navigating the enrollment process is what motivated Ashley to continue to work to minimize enrollment and engagement barriers for students. Prior to transitioning to the Division of Student Affairs, Ashley obtained her Master of Arts in Higher Education: Student Personnel from the University of Mississippi. Currently, Ashley serves as the Director of Student Life of Engagement where she oversees various engagement initiatives including cocurricular leadership programming, student organizations, and major campus programming. In addition, she is presently pursuing her Doctorate in Education Leadership.
Systems & University Registrar, The University of Memphis
Dr. Darla Keel came to the University of Memphis as an undergraduate student in 1991 and after graduating, she began her higher education career at the University of Memphis in Institutional Research. She has worked as the Associate Registrar and Director of Technical Services and Support at Arkansas State University, the University Registrar at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and as a Senior Banner Consultant for Ellucian. She was excited to have the opportunity to become the University Registrar at the University of Memphis in August 2016. She has taught several graduate level classes in Educational Leadership, and she is working on a book on new strategies for student retention with faculty from various institutions. Dr. Keel continuously seeks ways to improve all processes with technology and new approaches, and her highest goal is to support a happy, thriving team so that students are served to the fullest. When not at work, she prefers to be in a river in Arkansas somewhere, enjoying 80s rock music in the sunshine.
Dr. Longmire serves as the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Advising in the College of Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In this role, she supports academic advisors and students in working towards their success. She also works hard to promote the College’s academic programs and create programs with access at the core mission. Dr. Longmire has over 20 years of experience in academic advising throughout the state of Tennessee, and enjoys making connections across the state.
Whitney Marlowe is the Director of Transfer and Adult Student Outreach at East Tennessee State University, bringing over five years of experience in supporting transfer students and collaborating with community colleges. She earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from East Tennessee State University in 2011. Whitney lives in Elizabethton, TN, where she enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two daughters.
Austin Peay State University
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Michael McFall serves as The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s primary liaison to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for the Quality Assurance Funding (QAF) program. He coordinates the online administration of the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) and assists with planning, assessment, review, and reporting of programmatic student learning outcomes. For Volunteer Core, he provides support for the planning and documentation of Volunteer Core student learning outcomes assessment in conjunction with the Volunteer Core Assessment Working Group.
Susan Myers-Shirk earned her Ph.D. in History from Pennsylvania State University. She has been a faculty member in the history department at MTSU since 1994 and has taught countless general education courses in history during that time. She has published a book and articles in her field and has advised numerous graduate students, but her current research revolves around general education pedagogy, assessment, and redesign. She presents frequently at the Association of General and Liberal Studies (AGLS) and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU)conference on General Education, Pedagogy, and Assessment (GEPA). She served as the General Education Director for the history department for four years, and she has been the university-wide Director of General Education, now True Blue Core, since 2017, overseeing the redesign and launch of MTSU’s new curriculum.
Jessica Rabb, PhD leads Nashville State Community College's First Year Experience (FYE) course, is a TBR High Impact Practice Ambassador, and also teaches general education biology courses. She tries to infuse 'value of gen ed course' reflection activities that she regularly uses in the FYE class into Gen Ed classes whether they are online or face-to-face. Finding purpose and relevance in college classes is a key piece of student motivation, and Jessica has worked closely with the University of Virginia's Motivate Lab to design these activities.
Tracy Robinson has over 20 years experience at the University of Memphis primarily serving adult learners and currently serves as Executive Director of the Center for Regional Economic Enrichment (CREE). The center focuses on enhancing the educational, environmental, and economic well-being of people and places across the region through the following initiatives: an adult learner degree completion program, credit for prior learning, workforce training, and several grant programs including Growing Relational and Occupational Wealth in West Tennessee Households, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, and the Tennessee Delta Alliance. Tracy currently serves as a Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Ambassador, previously served as a Complete College America Fellow, and was recognized as the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Advisor. Programs under her leadership have received numerous awards including the Association for Continuing Higher Education Older Adult Model Program Award, Outstanding Advising Program by the National Academic Advising Association, and Outstanding Education Award by Spark Awards. Tracy previously received two Veteran Reconnect Grants from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to enhance prior learning pathways for military connected students and served on the THEC Veteran Prior Learning taskforce.
Center for Regional Economic Enrichment University of Memphis
Nashville State Community College & TBR High Impact Practice Ambassador
Middle Tennessee State University
Director of Academic Assessment, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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Kierra Rodriguez serves as Lead Director of COMPLETE, Transfer at tnAchieves. tnAchieves is a non-profit organization that serves more than 60,000 students each year through the TN Promise scholarship program and other student-success initiatives, like COMPLETE. COMPLETE is a statewide tnAchieves program that provides economically disadvantaged TN Promise students with an additional layer of support by pairing students with a COMPLETE coach. COMPLETE coaches help students find success during their time at community college, which includes assisting students with their transfer plans. Kierra develops and manages tnAchieves' transfer partnerships, transfer resources, internal transfer professional development for COMPLETE coaches, and other transfer efforts. Kierra also works directly with COMPLETE students and is passionate about helping students overcome transfer barriers.
Suzanne Sutherland earned her PhD in History from Stanford University, specializing in Early Modern Europe, and has been teaching at Middle Tennessee State University since 2013. She is the current Faculty Senate President at MTSU and has experience working with administration to achieve shared goals. Dr. Sutherland teaches general education, upperlevel, study abroad, online, and graduate courses in the History Department. She employs innovative pedagogies such as Reacting to the Past intensive role-play games and avatarstyle historical fiction assignments in order to immerse students in wildly different perspectives from the past. She served as the True Blue Core Liaison and General Education Director for the History Department. In her role as General Education Director of the largest general education department on campus, Dr. Sutherland led a faculty-driven initiative to incorporate new themed History courses into general education, laying the groundwork for interdisciplinary initiatives. Her research, which has resulted in two books, focuses on early modern military contracting, letter-writing networks, transregional marriages, and convent life during the late Renaissance/early baroque periods.
Janet Swandol serves as the Higher Education Regional Manager for the Southern US at Cambridge International Education, an affiliate with the University of Cambridge. She has spent the last 35 years in both K-12 and higher education working to expand educational opportunities for students.Janet received an Education Specialist degree and completed doctoral coursework in Curriculum & Instruction at the University of West Florida, a Masters at University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Bachelor of Science from Athens University. She began her career as a teacher, school counselor, and eventually landed at the Florida Department of Education as a Counselor Program Specialist. Prior to joining Cambridge in 2021, she worked at the College Board for 19 years where she advocated for state and system CLEP credit policies, managed 1,700 CLEP test centers on college campuses, and managed multiple state and district contracts. Janet and her husband live in Tallahassee, FL and they have one son who is currently a senior in high school going through the college application process and two crazy dogs.
Higher Education Regional Manager for the Southern US, Cambridge International Education
Middle Tennessee State University
Transfer, tnAchieves
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Ginny Valentin serves as the Executive Director of Learner Services in the newly formed Digital Learning unit at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In this role, Ginny leads the recruitment and student success efforts for fully online learners. She has 25 years of experience in higher education, including a previously held role at Ohio University, where she led the centralization of undergraduate online recruitment efforts. Ginny earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Truman State University, a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Ohio University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Assessment, Learning and
Student Success from Middle Tennessee State University.
Associate Professor, School of Communication Studies University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Michelle T. Violanti is an Associate Professor in the College of Communication and Information’s School of Communication Studies at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Volunteer Core Committee within Undergraduate Council where she oversees all processes related to approval, implementation, and assessment. Her work with Volunteer Core began in 2019 as a member of the Applied Oral Communication subcommittee during the early stages of implementation. As a faculty member, she teaches courses in communication theory, research methods, and leadership/followership. Her research focuses on how people and organizations communicate with each other as well as developing valid assessment and research tools.
Dr. Nathan Washington is a tenured faculty member and the Program Coordinator for the Business, Economics, and Accounting programs at Southwest Tennessee Community College. He attended the University of Memphis where he earned his Bachelor’s in Business and Management Information Systems along with his MBA in Management Information Systems. He earned his Doctorate in Business at Northcentral University. In his 18 years at Southwest Tennessee Community College, he has taught a variety of business courses and has developed numerous courses along with new degree programs and certificates. Recently, his work involved embedding certificates and front loading them into degree programs to allow students to be credentialed and workforce ready earlier in their college progression.
Joel Wells has been the University Registrar at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga since 2019. From 2014-2019 he led registrar offices at two different private institutions in Illinois and Tennessee. He got his start in the registrar realm in 2005 as an associate registrar at a private college in Georgia. Having worked in very small institutions – sometimes in an office of three staff – he learned the full scope of work registrar offices are required to manage to support the success of students and faculty. He strives to work collaboratively with faculty and staff in support of student access and progression to graduation.
Joel Wells
University Registrar, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Dr. Nathan Washington
Professor of Business and Accounting - Coordinator, Southwest Community College
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