Angela E. Batista, PhD – Faculty Lecturer, College Student Personnel (CSP)/Educational leadership and Policy Studies; Founder and CEO of Batista Consulting Services, LLC
- Primary Research Interests: Inclusive Leadership and Practice, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Student Affairs Practice, Change Management
- Institutional Affiliations: Former Vice President of Student Affairs and Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Champlain College. Held other senior leadership roles at Oregon State University, University of Southern Indiana, and Mills College, in addition to also having worked at the University of Vermont and Lynn University.
- Fun Facts: Is only one state short of having traveled to every state in the United States; grew up without electricity or running water and absolutely adores her Toy Poodle, Toby
J. Patrick Biddix, PhD – Professor
- Primary Research Interests: Student involvement (fraternity/sorority, activism), use of technology, research methodology
- Institutional Affiliations: (Education) UTK, Ole Miss, Missouri-St. Louis; (Work) Washington University, Valdosta State
- Fun Facts: Avid 1990s hip hop fan; Former “4A State (football) Player of the Week”
Karen D. Boyd, PhD – Associate Professor of Practice, Leadership Studies Minor Co-Coordinator
- Primary Research Interests: Institutional relational variables impacting student connectedness, the Civil Rights Movement and higher education
- Institutional Affiliations: (Education) UNC-Chapel Hill, Appalachian State, UGA; (Work) UNC-CH, Clemson, ECU, GA Tech, Carnegie Mellon, UCF & UTK
- Fun Facts: First memory of the U.S. is a view of the Statue of Liberty from an airplane, registered college student in every decade since the 1970s
Gresham Donald Collom, PhD – Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Primary Research Interests: Education Policy; Community Colleges; Career and Technical Education; Postsecondary Pathways for Minoritized Persons
- Institutional Affiliations: University of Tennessee
- Fun Facts: I am a direct descendent of Electa Quinney (Wuh-weh-wee-nee-meew Quan-au-kaunt), a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Tribe and the founder of one of the first schools in Wisconsin. She was the first woman to teach in a public school in Wisconsin
Lamar DeShay Bryant – Associate Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives
- Primary Research Interests: Men of Color, The Graduate Student Experience, Mattering and Belonging, Undermatching, and the Hidden Curriculum
- Institutional Affiliations: Northwestern State University, The University of North Texas
- Fun Facts: I was named Homecoming King in college. I love spending time with my friends and family. I love traveling and exploring the great outdoors. I really enjoy looking at the different styles of architecture at colleges/universities; so, if there is a college or university located in the area I am traveling to, I have to go visit the campus
Frank Cuevas, EdD – Vice Chancellor for Student Life; Adjunct Assistant Professor
- Primary Research Interests: Higher education finance and policy, organization and administration
- Institutional Affiliations: (Education) Florida State University; (Work) The Ohio State University, Florida State University
- Fun Facts: Avid college football fan
Mary Dueñas, PhD – Assistant Professor; CSP Program Coordinator
- Primary Research Interests: Latina/o/x College Students; Imposter Syndrome; Sense of Belonging and Mattering; LatCrit Theory; Psychosociocultural Framework
- Institutional Affiliations: (Education) University of Wisconsin-Madison; University of California, Irvine; (Work) University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Fun Facts: Enjoys traveling, spending time with nature, and watching re-runs of Friends
Martha Dagenhart, PhD – Adjunct Assistant Professor
- Primary Research Interests: Student learning and development, effects of college on students, advising and helping skills training
- Institutional Affiliations: (Education) UNC, Wake Forest, UTK; (Work) Carson-Newman, LMU, UTK (Teaching and Counseling Center)
- Fun Facts: Sang for a rock band in high school, loves international travel
Jill Zambito, EdD – Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life; Affiliated Faculty
- Primary Research Interests: Non-traditional students, student involvement, supervision, qualitative research
- Institutional Affiliations: (Education) Baldwin-Wallace College, Colorado State University, Northern Illinois University; (Work) Colorado State University (Graduate Assistant), North Central College, Northern Illinois University, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Fun Facts: Owns a Doberman named Michael. Regularly practices yoga. Loves to travel the globe
