TBR Approves Cleveland State Faculty Promotions And Tenure

Five Cleveland State Community College faculty members were recommended and approved to receive tenure from the Tennessee Board of Regents while six others received promotions. 

Dr. Victoria Bryan, Anne Carroll, Brian Gerber, Carlos Merino and Shane Ware received tenure, as well as a promotion in rank from assistant professor to associate professor. Melodee Alexander, Lori Hollis and Rick Monroe received a promotion in rank from instructor to assistant professor. Sonya Franklin, Elizabeth Moseley, and Dr. Jim Peters received a promotion in rank from associate professor to professor. Brian Gerber and Carlos Merino received a promotion in rank from assistant professor to associate professor. 

Dr. Victoria Bryan joined the Communications Division at Cleveland State in 2014. Dr. Bryan earned her doctorate in philosophy from The University of Mississippi, her master’s in English literature from UTC and her bachelor’s in English and American language and literature, also from UTC. 

Dr. Bryan serves as an assistant professor of a variety of courses including Honors Colloquium, Early American Literature, Honors Early American Literature, Leadership Development, Modern American Literature, Composition and Capstone courses. She also serves as the director of the CSCC Honors program. Since its redesign in 2015, the Honors Program at Cleveland State has grown from a single-track program serving 14 students to a multi-track program serving more than 100 students. Some of Dr. Bryan’s publications include peer-reviewed articles in the International Journal of American Studies, Studies in American Jewish Literature and The Hemingway Review.

Anne Carroll joined the Social Science Division at Cleveland State in 2016 teaching Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems in a variety of formats including honors, learning communities, hybrid and online. Ms. Carroll earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology from UTK.  Ms. Carroll has published articles in the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology and Homicide Studies. 

Brian Gerber joined the Communications Division at Cleveland State in 2013. Mr. Gerber is currently an associate professor teaching Fundamentals of Communication and First Year Seminar. He serves as the co-advisor for the CSCC Forensics Team that has brought home a number of awards since its inception two years ago. This year, the team has brought home an award from every tournament attended. Mr. Gerber received his bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Fort Hays State University and his master’s degrees in communication studies from the University of Kansas. He is currently pursuing and will complete his doctorate in education from the University of Memphis in the spring of 2020.

Carlos Merino joined the Math/Engineering Division at Cleveland State in 2014. Since that time, Mr. Merino has taught a variety of classes including Scientific Programming Corequisite, Algebra Support, Algebra Essentials, Finite Mathematics, Calculus and Introduction to Linear Algebra. In addition, Mr. Merino was awarded a faculty star award for outstanding service to the college. Mr. Merino earned his bachelor’s degree in pure and applied mathematics from the University of Central Arkansas and his master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Arkansas. 

Shane Ware, a Cleveland State alumnus, joined the Allied Health Division at Cleveland State in 2013. He earned his associate degree from Cleveland State, his bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Tusculum College and his master’s in business administration, also from Tusculum College. Mr. Ware is an assistant professor who teaches a variety of courses at CSCC, including Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician, Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Prehospital Trauma Life Support. Ware was one of five CSCC alumni who were honored with the prestigious Star of Life Award by the Children’s Emergency Care Alliance of Tennessee for saving the life of an 8-week premature baby. 

Melodee Alexander joined Cleveland State’s Social Science Division in 2017. Ms. Alexander is responsible for teaching a variety of classes including Introduction to Psychology, Lifespan Psychology (Honors and general population), Psychology of Adjustment, Honors Colloquium, and Honors Leadership Development. Alexander received her master’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. In addition, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.

Dr. Sonya Franklin joined the Nursing Department at Cleveland State in 2009. As the nursing faculty simulation and clinical coordinator, Dr. Franklin is involved in all of the nursing classes. She assists with skills labs, competency checkoffs, simulations, and scheduling of all clinicals for every student and is currently in the process of getting CSCC’s Simulation Center accredited. Dr. Franklin received her associate degree in nursing from Black Hawk Community College, her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago, two master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix, one in health administration and one in nursing and her doctorate in educational leadership with a specialization in curriculum and instruction, also from the University of Phoenix. 

CSCC Alumnus Lori Hollis joined the Business Division at Cleveland State in 2017. She is currently teaching Medical Assisting I, Basic Human Anatomy, Medical Assisting Administrative Procedures, Medical Assisting II, Introduction to Electronic Health Records, Survey of Coding, Healthcare Legal & Ethical Law Issues online and First Year Seminar. Ms. Hollis received her associate degree in medical assisting and holds a certification as a Certified Medical Assistant with the American Association of Medical Assistants. 

Rick Monroe joined the Advanced Technologies Department at Cleveland State in 2017. He has taught a variety of courses including DC Circuits, AC Circuits, Electronics I and II, PLC I and II, Integrated Robotics, Process Control Technologies, etc. Monroe received his associate degree in electronics from the Tennessee Institute of Electronics, his bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Tusculum College and his master’s in business administration, also from Tusculum College. 

Dr. Elizabeth Moseley joined the Social Science Division at Cleveland State in 2010. Dr. Moseley currently teaches First Year Seminar, Introduction to Psychology, and Lifespan Developmental Psychology. She received her bachelor’s degree in pre-counseling from Baptist Bible College and Seminary, her master’s degree in counseling from Baptist Bible Graduate School and her doctorate in education in counseling psychology from Argosy University. She is a National Certified Counselor and a Tennessee State Licensed Professional Counselor and has memberships with the American Association of Christian Counselors and the Association of Christians in Student Development.

Dr. Jim Peters joined the Natural Science Division at Cleveland State in 2009. Dr. Peters currently teaches Anatomy & Physiology I and II, First-Year Seminar and developed and implemented a Forensic Science STEAM Camp. He received bachelor’s degrees in biology and theological studies from Saint Louis University, his master’s degree in biology from Southern Illinois University and his doctorate in educational leadership from East Tennessee State University. He is currently licensed in the state of Tennessee and certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. His publications include peer-reviewed articles in the Journal of Mammalogy, Journal of Morphology and Missouri Medicine. He served as coordinator of CSCC’s Quality Enhancement Plan which developed the college’s First-Year Experience program for over five years. In addition, Dr. Peters was awarded faculty star awards for New Faculty of the Year and Community Service. 

“We are very proud of all of these faculty members, stated Dr. Denise King, vice president for Academic Affairs. “Our institution is stronger because of their commitment to ongoing achievements in teaching and learning, advising, assessment and service to the college and community.”