walters state receives chair award

The Mid-East Regional P-16 Council and Walters State Community College received the prestigious Exemplary Leadership Award from the International Chair Academy at the group’s recent international conference.
The Chair Academy grew from the International Conference for Chairs, Deans and Other Organizational Leaders.
Each year, the group recognizes outstanding leadership models. The Mid-East P-16 Council and Walters State received one of only three team awards given in 2009.
The Mid-East P-16 Council is a collaborative effort bringing together leaders of education, business and government in ten counties: Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Sevier and Union. Dr. Paula Short, vice chancellor for academic affairs at the Tennessee Board of Regents, nominated the council for the award.
“The nomination meant a great deal to our council leadership as the council was formed at the urging of TBR almost six years ago,” said Dr. Lori Campbell, vice president of academic affairs at Walters State.
Campbell initiated the formation of the Mid-East Tennessee Regional P-16 Council and has worked with individual counties to form county councils.
“We were chosen as the first regional council in the state and have continued to be a leader in working towards the goal of P-16, which is to smooth student transitions at all levels, from Pre-kindergarten to postsecondary institutions,” Campbell said.
One of the highlights of the council’s work has been training teachers at all levels on the college readiness standards in math and reading.
“The award is recognition of the dedicated service given by our council members and the initiatives they have supported.
The fact that the award is not only a national but an international award is especially gratifying to the council,” Campbell said.
Members of the Regional P-16 Council from Claiborne County are Roger Hansard, Rebecca Reece and Dr. Janet Barnard. Kim Wilder, director of the Walters State Claiborne County Center for Higher Education, is also on the council.
Members from Cocke County are Larry Blazer, Tommy Bible, Diana Gibson and Sherry Butler.
Members from Grainger County are Terry Acuff, Michael Collins, George Shirley, Kip Combs and Edwin Jarnigan.
Members from Greene County are Dr. Joe Parkins, Nancy Causey, Oliver “Buzz” Thomas, Roger Jones, (Ms.) Robbie Mitchell, Sherry Hood, Linda Irwin and Jamie Chapman. Drucilla Miller, dean of the Walters State Greeneville/Greene County Center for Higher Education, is also on the council.
Members from Hamblen County include Dr. Dale Lynch, Breck Habegger, Andy Smith, Dr. Brenda Dean, Anna James, Adrian Rucker, Eva Thompson, Dan Peterson, Dr. Sam Shepherd and Mike Fishman.
Members from Hancock County are Dr. Mike Belcher, Mike Antrican, Kim Belcher, John Goodman and Gary Seal.
Members from Hawkins County are Nancy Barker, Gloria Silvers, Jim Hageman and Charlotte Britton.
Members from Jefferson County are Connie Campbell, Dale Schneitman, Don Cason, Eli Matijevich, Susan Roberts, Bill Nolen and Sherry Finchum.
Members from Sevier County are John Dean and Dr. Debra Cline. Sue Frazier, dean of the Walters State Sevier County Campus, is also on the council.
Members from Union County are Wayne Goforth, Laura Duncan, Diana Merriman, Jamie Branton and Steve Hill.
College representatives include Dr. Sherilyn Emberton of Lincoln Memorial University; Dr. Nancy Moody and Dr. Russell Nichols of Tusculum College; Dr. J. Randall O’Brien and Dr. Peggy Hypes of Carson-Newman College; Lynn Elkins of the Tennessee Technology Center and Dr. Kandi Hill-Clarke of the Tennessee Board of Regents.
Also on the council are Dr. Hal Knight of East Tennessee State University and Dr. Gary Skolitis of the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Tom Heemstra represents Mach5 on the council and Matthew Garland represents the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
The Mid-East Regional P-16 Council is facilitated by Walters State.
In addition to Campbell, those involved with the council’s leadership are Dr. Wade McCamey, president; Dr. Debra Scott, vice president of planning, research and assessment; Dr. John LaPrise, dean of mathematics, Linda Roberts, dean of distance education and coordinator of P-16; and Cathy Woods, coordinator for technical education and P-16.  
Tammy Wells, an executive office aide, provides administrative support to the council.
Other Walters State staff members serving on the council are Dr. Nancy Brown, Dr. Marilyn Bowers, Ann Bowen, Tom Sewell, Joe Combs, Sidney Hall, Karen Stookesbury, Allen Nix, Doug Keith, Amy Ross, B.J. Lowe, Cary Jenkins, Amanda McClure and Kim Gunnin.