This feature is in our weekly Monday Morning Report newsletter, which showcases our highest-level members. Leaders You Should Know highlights community leaders who are making a notable impact in the Nashville region.
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Tell us about yourself?
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, I came to Nashville in the 90’s to work in manufacturing. An opportunity to teach part-time turned into a career in higher education that spans over 25 years. Now in my 7th year as President of Nashville State, I remain committed to strengthening the communities we serve and being a workforce solution partner for local employers. An avid football fan, I enjoy traveling to games with my husband of 28 years and also spending time with my son and daughter.
Tell us about your business/industry?
Nashville State is a multi-campus community college that provides education and workforce training throughout our seven-county service area. We have four locations in Davidson County and campuses in Clarksville, Dickson, and Waverly. Regionally accredited, we provide programs that allow students to complete the first two years of a four-year degree and transfer to public and private four-year institutions inside and outside of Tennessee. In addition, we have degree and certificate programs in high-demand fields that prepare students to enter the workforce upon graduation.
At present, the college has 80 academic degree and certificate programs in the School of Arts and Humanities, School of Business and Professional Studies, School of Health Sciences, and School of STEM. In fall 2024, over 7500 students attended Nashville State. We provide courses on-ground, virtually, or completely online to serve our diverse community of learners. In addition, our Center of Workforce Development and Continuing Education partners with industry leaders to customize training needs.
We have a large Dual Enrollment program that allows high school students to get an early start on college, and through our Better Together Partnership with MNPS, we have 4 Early Colleges designed for students to complete their associate degree by the time they graduate from high school. Nashville State also provides degree completion programs for incarcerated individuals in three facilities.
What should we know about you?
That my passion to help remove barriers for students runs deep. Education has been a part of my personal and professional journey. However, it wasn’t until my first classroom teaching experience that I realized the power of education. It was also in the classroom that I began to understand the significant barriers many individuals experience trying to start and complete their education.
How did you get to your current position?
I transitioned from a career in manufacturing into higher education in the late 90’s. After teaching for a few years, I had the opportunity to take on more administrative roles of Department Chair, Coordinator, Dean and AVP before becoming a President. During those years I enrolled at TSU and completed my Doctorate in Education. I also surrounded myself with great mentors.
What value do you see in Chamber involvement?
There are many positive reasons to be involved.
(1) Connectivity with other leaders and the community as a whole. Through working together, we can positively impact the city we want to live, work, and create in.
(2) The Chamber is involved at the macro and micro levels of Metro Nashville and Middle Tennessee. By being involved, I get a better understanding of the current lay of the land and the vision of where we want to go.
(3) Visibility for Nashville State Community College is vitally important not just for the institution, but in sharing stories in our communities of the impact the college can make in economic mobility of the individual and their respective families.
What do you enjoy most about being a leader?
I have the opportunity to create an environment were people can do their best work. In my role I not only cast the vision for the College but I have the great responsibility to develop the next generation of leaders to take the college to the next level.
How does your business support the Chamber’s mission of creating economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership?
Our business is talent development. We have a clear focus on student success and workforce development. We are the anchor institution to build the local talent pipeline to ensure this region remains vibrant and thriving.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? What is the best part of working in your field?
Commencement is my favorite day of the year! To see our graduates, surrounded by family and friends affirms the “why” in my work. That evening we celebrate all the trials and tribulations and hard work it takes to complete college.
What are you currently reading?
Co-Intelligence: Living and working with AI by Ethan Mollick