Please extend a warm welcome to these individuals who have chosen to join our organization for the first time or renew their membership.
We look forward to seeing everyone in person SOON!
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Alicia Abney
Advising Manager - COE
Middle Tennessee State University
Shunta Curry
Graduate Student
Belmont, College of Medicine
Yukita Dandridge
Financial Aid Associate
Nashville State
Dr. Echell Eady
Vice President
Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Murfreesboro
Dr. Mary McConnor
Christian Brothers University
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Dr. Karin Keith
Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction
East Tennessee State University
Vickie Mellons
SAILS Program - Director of Operations for Middle Tennessee
Tennessee Board of Regents
Lauren Solina
Coordinator of Special Programs for Correctional Education
Tennessee Board of Regents
Dr. Taura Turner
SAILS Program - Director of Operations for West Tennessee
Tennessee Board of Regents
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Lauren Solina, Coordinator of Special Programs for Correctional Education at the Tennessee Board of Regents was selected to participate in the Vera Institute of Justice's inaugural cohort of the Corrections Education Leadership Academy (CELA).
Representatives from 34 states submitted applications, but only 16 were selected to participate in the Academy.
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Dr. Tachaka Hollins, TBR Assistant Vice Chancellor -
Academic Affairs, is among twenty individuals selected to participate in the 2021 Postsecondary Leadership Success Program at the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE).
The third cohort of Fellows includes participants from around the country.
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Dr. Laura Monks, President of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) - Shelbyville has earned her Ed.D in Policy Studies and Leadership from the University of Memphis.
Under Dr. Monks' leadership, TCAT Shelbyville was named TBR's Technical College of the Year during the System's third annual Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) awards ceremony held in late March.
Dr. Monks serves as the TCAT Presidential Advisor, ex-officio member on WHET's executive board.
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Dr. Erica Lee, Completion Coach at Motlow State has earned a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University. She has worked in higher education for nearly eighteen years in various capacities serving students. Dr. Lee holds a BA in Economics from Spelman College and an MS in Public Service Management from Cumberland University.
Dr. Lee is a seven-year member of WHET and is involved in various community organizations.
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New WHET member, Dr. Mary McConner, Inaugural Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Christian Brothers University, has been selected to be a member of the 2021-22 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows program. She is also a Presnell Fellow in the 2021-22 Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) Class of Executive Leadership Institute.
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Debbie Long has added a new title, Human Resources Benefits Associate, to her resume at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. In her previous role, she served as an HR Specialist.
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The 31st Annual Nashville ATHENA Award and Scholarship Program will be held on Friday, June 25, 2021. Two recognitions will be presented at the ATHENA Award event – the traditional ATHENA Award, which celebrates women who demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their profession, contribute to their community and mentor other women; and the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, created in 2011 to highlight emerging women leaders between the ages of 25-40 who demonstrate excellence in their profession and improve the quality of life for others in the community while serving as role models for other young women both personally and professionally.
WHET's Nominees for the Athena Awards are:
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Dr. Alice Camuti
Associate Dean, College of Graduate Studies
Tennessee Technological University
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Ms. Angelica Dotson
Completion Coach, Student Success
Motlow State Community College
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Tennessee higher education and WHET lost a dear colleague and friend earlier this year.
Dr. Lana Hamilton left an indelible legacy across our state – first at Northeast State Community College where she rose from biology professor to chief academic officer, then as President of Jackson State Community College, and since 2019, as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the Tennessee Board of Regents system office.
As a member of WHET, Dr. Hamilton will be fondly remembered for her collegiality, professionalism and knowledge. Her joy was contagious and her love for students was genuine.
A memorial scholarship has been established to honor her legacy.
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Development Tips
for Career Growth
by Dr. Christy Martin
WHET Graduate Student Representative
Spring doesn't have to be the only thing blossoming this month.
With a few development tips, your career can blossom over time too.
Whether you are a graduate student just getting started in your career
or a mid-level professional looking for a new challenge or change,
GROWTH is essential to development.
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Key Strategies
When applying for a new role, do your research.
- See a job posting you like? To gain a better perspective on the role, find 4-5 similar postings. Review keywords, required skills and job duties. How are the postings similar or different?
- Based on your research, write your resume/cover letter to match the ideal fit and candidate the hiring agent seeks.
Conduct informational interviews to learn about a new role.
- Have a virtual coffee or phone call with others to help you to learn what the scope of a day in the life is like in the role you're considering.
- Ask questions to determine a culture fit. Do they encourage decision-making at the lowest level? Does the organization strive for a learning culture?
- Can’t get an audience with your desired organization? Don’t feel discouraged. Reach out to someone else who serves in the same role at a competitor. An informational interview will give you key information on what to expect.
Focus on your abilities and achievements and less on previous duties.
- When creating your work experience details, keep in mind what you did, why it was relevant, and most importantly results achieved.
- Did you develop cost savings? Improve a process? Can you quantify results?
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Dr. Christy Martin is passionate about continuing education and the development of others. She teaches, consults, mentors, and develops instructional design.
She enjoys volunteering throughout the community, spending time with friends and family, continuing her professional development, writing, and reading. She is currently a TN Promise mentor and has volunteered with the organization since 2018.
Martin earned her Doctorate in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University. She received a Master of Business Administration in Nonprofit Management from Lipscomb University and a B.S. degree in Business Management and Organizational Development from Bethel University.
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Supporting the Local Community |
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One of WHET's strategic goals is to cultivate and maintain community partnerships by supporting non-profit organizations that positively impact underprivileged girls.
For 2021, WHET will feature a community organization in the state's three Grand Divisions and ask that our members support the organization through online giving.
In the East Tennessee region, we have selected Girls Inc. of Chattanooga as the our featured non-profit organization.
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Sixty years ago, a group of Chattanooga women organized the first group of girls and young women for arts and crafts, sports, drama and more. Today, Girls Inc. of Chattanooga boasts more than 30,000 alumnae and each year provides more than 800 girls with the opportunity to become "independent, well-rounded young women." Although the programs have changed, the Girls Inc. goal is the same: "inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold leaders in their homes, their community and society."
Learn more about Girls Inc. at the links below:
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#WHETWednesdays Are Back . . .
Better Than Ever!
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We've got a terrific lineup of professional development webinars scheduled for you in the next two months with more to come.
Look for details and registration information via email.
In the meantime, add these sessions to your calendar!
June 9
Building a Positive Support Team
Dr. Sharon McGee, Presenter
June 23
Mentorship
Presenters: Dr. Phyllis Adams & Dr. Crystal Banks
July 14
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: El Camino al Triunfo!
Ms. B. Antonella Valdivia, Presenter
July 21
Self Care and Boundaries
Dr. Quianda Harris, Presenter
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Connect With Us on Social Media! |
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