Retention and Success in Higher Education
The University of Tennessee at Martin will host the “Skyhawk Retention Summit” on May 22-23, 2024 on the UTM campus. The Summit will offer the opportunity to continue conversations between colleagues across different institutions in the region who are engaged in the same broad task: increasing the persistence and success of the students we enroll.
Registration and Travel
The fee for the Summit is $50 for UT employees and $100 for external guests.
Hampton Inn conference rate: $128 plus tax; if you call, please tell them you are with the Skyhawk Retention Summit.
Schedule
Session Facilitators
Brad Baumgardner
Director of Retention, The University of Tennessee at Martin
Brad Baumgardner is a student success professional with over a decade of experience in advising, instruction, and program development. Brad is committed to providing advocacy, support, and guidance for students through the integration of data informed approaches and relationship driven student success models. In addition to his professional passion for student success, Brad remains active as a musician, composer, and stalwart advocate for contemporary art music. When not crafting student success campaigns or haunting the local concert halls, Brad enjoys hiking and camping with his family – all of whom are unapologetic science fiction nerds.
Daphne Brown
SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary Director and Director of CTE Student Engagement Tennessee Board of Regents
Daphne Brown's experience spans over 20 years, primarily in instructional and administrative roles at Tennessee College of Applied Technology at McKenzie. For the past two years, she has been serving as a Perkins Coordinator in the Office of Student Success at the Tennessee Board of Regents. Brown has served as a SkillsUSA advisor, chaired the Job Interview competition at the SkillsUSA Championships for three years and has assisted at many SkillsUSA state conferences. She is a mother to a son and a daughter – Nathan and Lollie. Aside from enjoying time with them, she enjoys her dogs and the outdoors.
Anita Cannedy
Director of the UT Martin Jackson Center, The University of Tennessee at Martin
Anita Cannedy is the Director of the UT Martin Jackson Center. She also serves on the UTM 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Steering Committee and is a TN Achieves Mentor. Prior to working for UTM, she was on the Leadership Team at Jackson Christian School as a Director of their secondary campus. Anita taught adult students for Goodwill Career Solutions, a post-secondary higher education institution, authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education System. Prior to moving to Tennessee Anita taught middle school and worked for seven years in higher education at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas.
Tracy Comer
Senior Director of Articulation and Transfer, Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Dr. Comer is responsible for the coordination and outreach efforts with higher education institutions in the state of TN. Specifically, supporting THEC's statewide initiatives related to the enhancement of articulation and transfer resources such as Prior Learning Assessment, Reverse Transfer, Tennessee Transfer Pathways, and other activities associated with the Articulation and Transfer Council and sub-councils. Working in higher education for over 20 years has been the catalyst for Tracy embracing her passion of learning and technology. As both a non-traditional and transfer student, she has a keen level of investment in the success of all students. Tracy earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis and a Master's and Doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Michell Ivey
Director of Student Services, Columbia State Community College Williamson campus
Dr. Ivey has served in her current role since August 2018. She completed her doctorate in Adult and Lifelong Learning from the University of Arkansas in 2023. She has previously served as the Assistant Dean of Students at Washington State University, Associate Director of University Housing at Appalachian State University and Assistant Director of Residence Life at Winthrop University. Dr. Ivey currently lives in Franklin, TN and enjoys playing co-ed kickball, roller skating and petting dogs in her free time.
Sarah Jiter
Interim Director for Undergraduate Admissions, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Sarah Jiter has been with Southern Illinois University Carbondale since October 2021, when she was started as recruitment and retention coordinator for the College of Arts and Media. In November 2022, Jiter became associate director of operations for undergraduate admissions. Since May 2023 she has been serving as the interim director for undergraduate admissions. Before her work at SIU, Jiter was at the Community College of Aurora in Colorado for six years. After starting as a college recruiter in September 2015, she became assistant director of the college's center for recruitment and orientation from September 2016 to January 2018, when she was named director. Jiter also worked at Eureka College in Illinois from January 2008 to August 2015, serving as coordinator of orientation and transition programs and then assistant dean of first-year programs. She earned a bachelor's degree in theater arts and drama from Eureka College and a master's degree in education, college student personnel administration from Illinois State University.
Brelinda Johnson
Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing
Brelinda's unique educational background is in Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Child Development, Family Studies, and Assessment, Learning, and Student Success. As an education professional for eighteen years, she is experienced in supervision, advising, teaching, and multiple areas related to student success. She is a creator of effective programs for at-risk populations such as probation, first-generation, and minority students. She enjoys developing creative and essential programs to assist first-generation and underrepresented students to navigate college. It is gratifying for Brelinda to see students grow within their first year and the years to follow until graduation.
Brelinda was a member of the 2023 Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute Cohort. She was also selected as a 2021 Tennessee Board of Regents Maxine Smith Fellow. She previously directed programs in the Office of Student Success and the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences Advising Center at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). She taught courses related to adolescent development, consumer education, and family relationships throughout her time at MTSU. Before working at MTSU, she was a high school Family and Consumer Sciences Education teacher and track coach in Clarksville, TN. Brelinda attended Tennessee Technological University (TTU) for her undergraduate degree in Family Consumer Sciences Education, where she was a student-athlete and team captain.
Stephanie Kolitsch
Associate Provost, The University of Tennessee at Martin
Kolitsch was appointed associate provost in fall 2023 after serving as interim provost for six months. She previously served as the director of accreditation and led UT Martin in its successful reaccreditation process last year. She is a professor of mathematics and has participated in K-16 math education reform efforts in Tennessee. She worked with the staff of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to create the Tennessee Accreditation Network.
Andy Lewter,
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, The University of Tennessee at Martin
Dr. Lewter has served as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs since 2019. Previously, he held the positions of Dean of Students at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia and Associate Dean of Students at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. Dr. Lewter is a member of National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA). He has significant experience in key student affairs areas, including student conduct, behavioral intervention, first year student programming, student health and counseling, Greek life, campus recreation, career services and assessment. Dr. Lewter holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a Master of ducation degree from the University of South Carolina, and a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He is a native of Chapel Hill, Tennessee.
Matthew Little
Student Success Coordinator, University of Tennessee Southern
Matthew joined the University of Tennessee Southern shortly after its acquisition in 2021. In this role, he oversees the retention efforts of the institution and serves as an instructor for both First Year Seminar and Senior Capstone classes. During his 20-year career he has worked in institutions ranging from community colleges to R1 universities throughout Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. His primary responsibilities have been in the areas of enrollment management and student success, overseeing at various times: dual enrollment, FYE, admissions, registrar and student resource centers. A native of Chattanooga, Dr. Little was a first-generation, low-income college student whose personal experiences inform his work in student success and inspire him to be the resource he never had for the students he serves.
Matt Matthews
enior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Academic Policy, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Dr. Matthews serves as the Senior Vice Provost at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In addition to his work in Academic and Faculty Affairs, he serves in cross-divisional strategic roles at UTC, including campus master planning, capital project development, and student success/retention. Since joining UTC in 2004 and rising to the rank of professor in the Department of Mathematics, Matt has also served as associate dean for the College of Arts & Sciences and interim head of his department.
Abby McGregor-Mullen
Academic Advisor and Retention Specialist, Madisonville Community College
She is a Certified Appreciative Advisor and Certified Career Development Facilitator with 13 years of experience in Higher Education. Abby has worked with students who are on academic probation since May 2022, where she created and implemented a program to connect and keep these students on track. She has a passion for helping students and assisting them to achieve their goals.
Carshonda Harris Martin
Assistant Provost of Student Success and Flourishing, Belmont University
Ms. Martin started her role in January of 2022. Within Student Success and Flourishing, she provides leadership to Belmont Central, Bridges to Belmont Pathway Programs, Career and Professional Development, Growth and Purpose for Students, International and Global Student Services, and Learning/Teaching Centers.
Student Success and Flourishing offers incredible support and resources that foster a welcoming, student-focused environment and champions Belmont students on their college journey to reach their full potential. Through holistic academic coaching, learning support, career planning and preparation, Student Success and Flourishing empower students to take control of every portion of their personal growth. The Division is committed to providing students with an engaging learning environment where community is strengthened, guidance is abundant, and learners can flourish. Student Success and Flourishing guide and advise Belmont students as they discover and evolve through their sense of self. The Division encourages and educates students as they make their mark on the world through learning, exploration, and challenging investigation. Student Success and Flourishing values Learning, Exploration, Collaboration, Access, and Empowerment and want to ensure Belmont students are provided with the resources and support above, within, and beyond the classroom.
Ms. Martin also provides oversight to Bruins Emergency Fund, support and programming for first-generation and transfer students, and coordinate effects for advising and outreach to students on all enrollment needs. She is also leading taskforces focusing on Academic Advising, Foster Care Student Support, and Male Student Support.
She earned an Associate Degree from Walters State Community College in 2004. She is a 2007 graduate of ETSU with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science. In 2012, she completed a Master of Professional Studies degree in Strategic Leadership. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D in Leadership and Learning at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Ms. Martin was employed at ETSU from 2009 to 2022 serving in a variety of roles including work in Enrollment Services, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs and Equity and Diversity. In her past roles, she provided leadership oversight and support for the units and programs within the Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center, included providing supervision to Programming and Outreach, Student Access and Success Programming, International Student Support Programs, Pride Center, Scholarship and Diversity/Inclusion Programs. In addition, she managed all aspects of strategic planning, center operations, budgeting, reporting, and program evaluation. Ms. Martin also provided leadership and direction in creating a campus climate that was welcoming, inclusive, and educationally focused for all students on the ETSU campus and engaged stakeholders within the ETSU greater community. Within the Division of Student Life and Enrollment, she served as a unit lead with divisional responsibilities such as Care Team, De-Escalation Team, On-Call Rotation Member, Admissions and Advising advisor and advocate, and Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Conference.
Over the years she has been fortunate to be able to gain experience from working with many wonderful colleagues and several other different types of institutions that have strengthened her professional understanding and ability to lead. Simultaneously, she had the opportunity to work with others to aid in creating, engaging, and evaluate student-centered initiatives that support and improve the over student experience. She was a board member for YWCA of Tennessee and Virginia and HOPE Council, and she participated in the 2016 class of Johnson City Chamber Leadership Program. She has participated as a Tennessee Achieves Connect Mentor, Unity Way Allocations member, UMJOA Community member, Leadershape Family Cluster Facilitator, and was a graduate of the Mid-Manager Institute. Ms. Martin has been recognized as a Kappa Delta Pi member, Phi Kappa Phi member, National Residence Hall Honorary, Health Heroes Nominee, Advisor of the Year, and Annual 30 under 40 Sawubona Class. Ms. Martin is currently within the 2023 Fall Young Leader Council and Board of Directors Intern for the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Nashville community.
Leigh Remy
Director, Academic Success Advocacy Program and Lecturer, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Leigh's career has crossed the boundary between Academic and Student Affairs for the past 31 years at Florida Atlantic University (2016-2021), Dartmouth College (1999-2016), the University of Maryland (1996-1999, 1990-1993), the University of Delaware (1995-1996), and Franklin & Marshall College (1993-1995). At the University of Alabama in Huntsville, she is establishing the Academic Success Advocacy Program, integrating data analytics with a differentiated needs coaching/advising model while advocating for university policy and practices that influence graduation rates. Leigh has an M.A. in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in English from the University of Delaware.
Tammy D. Rhodes
Director of First Year Experience, University of North Alabama
Tammy D. Rhodes is the Director of First Year Experience at the University of North Alabama and an adjunct instructor in their Criminal Justice and Sociology departments. She has a Bachelors in English and Masters in Criminal Justice from the University of North Alabama. Her social sciences research concentrations are: millennial caregivers, racial disparities in health, and life course development research. Her higher education research concentrations are: Building inclusive communities for students, amplifying the voices of First-Year online students, and creating first- and second-year programming in higher education. She has developed workshops on the political culture of the U.S., the school to prison pipeline, body image, and anti-hazing initiatives in fraternal organizations.
Erica Holmes Trujillo
Director, College of Arts & Sciences Student Success Center (the hub), UT Chattanooga
Born and raised in Nashville, TN, I made my way to Chattanooga after living in southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico for over a decade. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Adams State College. I began my career as an advisor at a rural community college and I have experience in recruitment, enrollment, retention, and advisement, supporting students through the life cycle of their collegiate experience. I am deeply committed to identifying and breaking down institutional barriers, ensuring equitable access not just to enter higher education, but access to success in our institutions, for all students. My work at UTC has afforded the opportunity to build meaningful, impactful, collaborative relationships which have helped to transform the student experience for Arts & Sciences majors. Our Center is in year five and we've finally been able to realize our vision, graduating our first group of students we've worked with since their arrival at UTC. Every day is a new opportunity and I'm humbled to engage in the work alongside such a great team.
My work-life harmony mostly centers around adventures with my two-year-old daughter and very patient husband. We love spending time outdoors and traveling I-24 between Nashville and Chattanooga to visit my parents. My stepson just completed his freshman year at the University of New Mexico and walking this college journey with him has been the perfect intersection of work and family. We are looking forward to as much sunshine and travel this summer as possible (in between UTC Orientations, of course). Go Mocs!
Destin Tucker
Director of Admissions and Chair of the Strategic Enrollment Management Council, University of Tennessee Martin
Destin's 18 years of enrollment experience includes eight years at UT Martin and ten years at the University of Memphis. Destin has a Master's degree in College Student Personnel from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Memphis. Additionally, she will earn her doctorate from the University of Memphis in 2024 where her research is focused on the retention of first-generation college students.
Dr. Dlynn Armstrong-Williams
Dean of the College of Behavioral & Health Sciences, Austin Peay State University
As Dean, Dr. Williams supervises eight academic departments and the Institute for National Security and Military Studies, comprising approximately 125 faculty and staff, 2,024 undergraduate students and 492 graduate students. Before that appointment, she was the Head of the Political Science & International Affairs department at the University of North Georgia (UNG). Dr. Williams has received awards in both teaching and scholarship and has been recognized for her efforts in international education nationally. Due to her strong interest in internationalization, she was the founding Director of UNG's Center for Global Engagement (CGE). Over the years, her academic work has focused on studying East Asian politics, foreign policy, international security, and public diplomacy. Her most recent publication is a textbook titled Global Politics, which she co-edited with Dr. Raluca Viman-Miller and was published by the University of North Georgia Press. Dr. Armstrong-Williams holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Miami University.
Sara Youngerman
Transitional Vice President of Academic Affairs, Jackson State Community College
Sara Youngerman joined Jackson State in 2006 as a faculty member and earned the rank of Associate Professor of Agriculture. She has served as the Dean of Math and Natural Sciences and Interim Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. She earned an M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and a B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
