Cleveland State Announces Faculty Earning Tenure, Promotion; 12 Hired Into New Positions On Campus

Three Cleveland State Community College faculty members were recommended and approved to receive tenure from the Tennessee Board of Regents in 2020. Nine faculty members were also promoted by the college to assistant professor, associate professor or professor status this year.

Marci Reiter, Laurie Rowland, and Wendy Santos received tenure and were promoted from instructor to associate professor at Cleveland State Community College.

Marci Reiter, an associate professor this year, joined the Business Division at Cleveland State in 2015. She is currently an associate professor teaching cooperative education courses, first year students for the business learning community, and first year students for the Advanced Technologies Institute. Ms. Reiter works with students throughout the college giving them career-readiness skills and experiences through work-based learning opportunities. Ms. Reiter earned her bachelor of science degree from Eastern Illinois University and her master of arts degree from Webster University.

Laurie Rowland, an associate professor this year, joined the Humanities Division at Cleveland State in 2014. She is currently an associate professor teaching fundamentals of communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, leadership development studies, and forensics. Ms. Rowland earned her bachelor of arts degree from Berea College and her master of education degree from Strayer University.

Wendy Santos, promoted to associate professor this year, joined the Healthcare Division of Cleveland State in 2010. She currently instructs all levels of emergency medical services coursework. She spends much of her time working paramedic concentrations in the program. She previously helped instruct similar coursework at the college from 1994-94. Santos earned her associate of science degree from Chattanooga State Technical Community College.

Receiving promotion within the faculty ranks at Cleveland State Community College in 2020 are Dr. Stephen Carmer, Dr. Bonnie Freeland, Travis Hayes, Dr. Verrill Norwood, Ms. Reiter, Ms. Rowland, Ms. Santos, Vickie Still and Shane Ware.

Dr. Stephen Carmer, promoted to assistant professor this year, joined the Business Division at Cleveland State in 2016. Dr. Carmer teaches principles of accounting I and II, business calculations, personal finance, forensic accounting, and the accounting capstone course. Dr. Carmer earned his bachelor of science degree from Syracuse University, his master of accounting degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and his doctorate in business administration from Walden University.

Dr. Bonnie Freeland, promoted to professor this year, joined the Healthcare Division at Cleveland State in 2018. She is the lead instructor for pediatric nursing and nursing fundamentals courses. Dr. Freeland earned her associate of science and bachelor of science from Southern Missionary College, master of science in nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and her doctorate of nursing practice from the University of Tennessee, Memphis.

Travis Hayes, promoted to assistant professor this year, joined the Business Division at Cleveland State in 2017. He currently teaches principles of macroeconomics and principles of microeconomics. Mr. Hayes earned his bachelor of science and master of business administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Dr. Verrill Norwood, promoted to professor this year, joined the Science Division at Cleveland State in 2005. He currently teaches chemistry I, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. Dr. Norwood earned his bachelor of arts degree from the College of the Holy Cross and his doctorate degree from Utah State University.

Vickie Still, promoted to assistant Ppofessor this year, joined the Healthcare Division at Cleveland State in 2012. She is the lead instructor for fundamental of nursing in the college’s nursing program. Still earned her associate of science degrees from Cleveland State Community College, her bachelor of science degree from East Tennessee State University, and her master of science degree from Tennessee Technological University.

Shane Ware, promoted to associate professor this year, is a member of the Healthcare Division at Cleveland State. Mr.  Ware instructs courses within the college’s emergency medical services program.  

Through August, 12 employees have been hired into new positions at Cleveland State Community College this year: Andrea Byerly, project coordinator, Workforce & Continuing Education; Carolina Roman, executive assistant to the president; Cate Green, director of Admissions, Recruitment and High School Programs; Larissa Coleman, Give Grant coordinator; Angi Hawn, financial aid specialist; Joel Nitsch, financial aid specialist; Lisa Sullens, enrollment specialist; Katie Brady, librarian 1; Lana Balan, enrollment specialist; Sara Amato, English instructor; Heidi McLean, medical assistant instructor/program director; and Matt Schaffner, music instructor.