Twenty-six education stakeholders representing higher education, K-12, business, and nonprofit sectors across the state have been selected for the 8th cohort of the Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute (CTLI). Together, they are poised to make a substantial impact on the future of education in Tennessee by working together as advocates for change to increase postsecondary attainment within their communities.
Emerging from the collaborative efforts between SCORE and The Hunt Institute, CTLI equips a diverse group of education stakeholders with strategies to address barriers to postsecondary completion in Tennessee. This one-year program will allow cohort members to understand key higher education and workforce data and develop regional advocacy strategies to ensure more students are earning degrees and credentials that prepare them for careers.
“To ensure our state’s economy is dynamic and resilient, we need to ensure Tennessee students are obtaining degrees and credentials that lead to economic independence,” said SCORE President and CEO David Mansouri. “That work requires more Tennessee leaders to be empowered with the data, tools, relationships, and best practices to drive improved postsecondary outcomes in their own communities. We’re thrilled to support this group of leaders in driving that change for our state.”
Since its inception in 2016, CTLI has empowered participants with insights from a broader national perspective, strengthening their ability to execute their learnings in their communities. At the core of CTLI’s mission is the commitment to remove hurdles hindering access to and successful completion of postsecondary education in Tennessee.
Past participants say CTLI’s program’s capacity to cultivate cooperative learning and establish a platform for thought leaders to exchange ideas has brought about profound change.
“CTLI was one of the best designed and coordinated professional development experiences I have been part of,” said Scott Campbell, executive director of Persist Nashville Inc. “The rich diversity of postsecondary perspectives in the room and depth of content grew me professionally and is already having an impact on the way we serve students in our state.”
This year’s cohort is the first to be paired in regional groups with the goal of building strategies to specifically address disparities and equity gaps for students within the regions of East, Middle, and West Tennessee.
Members of the 8th cohort of CTLI:
East Tennessee Region
- Dr. David Cihak, Associate Dean of Professional Educator Programs and Director of the Bailey Graduate School of Education, University of Tennessee
- Dr. Trae T. Cotton, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, Chattanooga State University
- Kristin Labs, Gateway Scholars Program Manager, Public Education Foundation
- Nathan Langlois, Director of Schools, KCS Region 2, Knox County Schools
- Law Loving, Director, Career and Workforce Readiness, Niswonger Foundation
Middle Tennessee Region
- Dr. Prentice Ashford, Dean of Student Engagement, Lipscomb University
- Dr. LaMetrius Daniels, Associate Vice-President and Dean of The Graduate School, Trevecca Nazarene University
- Derrick Dupuis, Director of Institutional Research, Nashville State Community College
- Tyler Ford, Senior Director of Mentors, tnAchieves
- Dr. Diarese George, Executive Director, Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance
- Dr. Marlon Pierre Heaston, Executive Principal, Moses McKissack Middle School, Metro Nashville Public Schools
- Ashley Elizabeth Johnson, Director of Communications and Government Affairs, QuaverEd
- Dr. Brelinda Johnson, Executive Vice President of Student Success, Motlow State Community College
- Jenny Mills McFerron, Vice President, Education and Talent Development, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Anne-Marie McKee, Assistant Vice President for Student Support, Volunteer State Community College
- Dr. Donald Snead, Professor of Education, Middle Tennessee State University
- Patrick Wade, President, Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Murfreesboro
West Tennessee Region
- Brittany Avent, Director of CTE and PLC Support, Haywood County Schools
- Dr. Constance Certion, Manager of High School Counseling Services, Memphis-Shelby County Schools
- Dr. LaToshia S. Chism, Professor of Education, Lane College
- Matt Lexow, Associate Dean of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Southwest Tennessee Community College
- Leigh Mansberg, President, Junior Achievement of Memphis and the Mid-South
- Jamie Mantooth, Executive Director of Enrollment Services and Student Engagement, University of Tennessee at Martin
- Heath McMillian, President, Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Jackson
- Cortney Richardson, Chief Executive Officer, Peer Power Foundation
- Dr. Carol A. Rothstein, President, Jackson State Community College