Now completing his second year at Shelton State Community College, Dr. Bill Ashley is the face of the College in the West Alabama community and beyond. Held in high esteem nationally, he was recently asked to serve on the American Association of Community College’s President’s Academy Executive Committee. This committee collaborates to provide professional development exclusively for community college presidents. In regards to civic roles and duties, Dr. Ashley was appointed this year to the Elevate Tuscaloosa Advisory Council and Connectivity Subcommittee by Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox where he will provide guidance and engage the College in seeking improvements for the city. In service on the Board of Directors to the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, he contributes to the continued success of workforce programs and cooperative relationships with local business and industry. As a member of the Economic Development Strategic Planning Committee, Dr. Ashley helps examine the needs of Tuscaloosa and West Alabama through the development of an economic development strategic plan. He maintains active membership in the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority Board of Directors, the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center Board of Directors, Rotary International, and the Tuscaloosa Business Exchange, and he is intentional in fostering relationships that put Shelton State at the forefront of West Alabama growth and improvement.
Under Dr. Ashley’s leadership in 2018 and 2019, the College experienced significant growth in its dual enrollment for high school students. With student enrollment more than doubling in the program, the College increased its presence in local high schools and home schools. Additionally, Dr. Ashley supports cutting-edge career technical programs that increase employability and set students apart. Impressive statistics within these programs caught the attention of United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Her fall visit highlighted not only the College’s success, but demonstrated the wide-reaching appeal of the exciting career options Dr. Ashley seeks to expand.
Bringing a background that ranges from experienced faculty member and instructional department leader to student services and athletics, Dr. Ashley has a firm belief in the “team spirit” of the College. This is echoed through each of his trademark, “Go, Bucs!” As an administrator, he increased professional development opportunities in the 2018-19 academic year through events such as the Emergenetics Workshop for select faculty and staff. Chosen by the President, the creation of this group of emerging leaders is one example of Dr. Ashley’s ongoing commitment to employee excellence. His enthusiasm for faculty and staff is matched by his eagerness to engage students and community members. Often found in conversation with anyone he meets, Dr. Ashley views every relationship through a lens of opportunity. In his own words, “everyone should know about Shelton State!”
With continued oversight of millions of dollars in capital improvements and the advantages provided through the Shelton State Foundation’s fundraising, Dr. Ashley continues to successfully lead the College i n its mission and toward its continued growth. The future of the Institution is met with great anticipation by all those who strive to enhance its impact and especially by President Ashley.
On June 13, 2019, Shelton State Community College was reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) with no additional reports required.
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A graduate of Shelton State, Jason Moore brought twenty-one years of varied experience in manufacturing, teaching, and college leadership to the position of Dean of Workforce and Economic Development. Over the last seventeen years, he served Shelton State Community College in numerous positions including Machine Tool Technology Instructor, Associate Dean of Technical Services, Associate Dean for Business and Industry Training, and Associate Dean for Corporate Programs. Dean Moore began serving in this capacity on September 1, 2018.
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Jonathan Koh earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Masters of Public Administration from The University of Alabama. While pursuing his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, Koh worked as Research Coordinator for the Education Policy Center at The University of Alabama. Now in his fourth year at Shelton State, Dr. Koh has doubled external revenues for grant funded projects each year. Mr. Koh began serving in this capacity on September 2, 2018.
Filling a vacancy created by longtime employee Rhonda Smith, Ms. Elam became the College’s newest Director of Financial Aid. Formerly the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Ms. Elam began serving in this capacity on May 1, 2019.
Whether at the College or in various areas of our region and state, Shelton State Community College employees reflect the mission of the College through their time, talents, and skills.
Amanda Harbison, Dean of Student Services – Member of OneACCS Student Governance Team and Elected 2019-20 Secretary for Alabama Dean of Student Affairs Association
Dean Ronald Range – 2018 Bronze HBCUgrow LEAD Award for Best Leadership
Kristen Bobo, Adult Education – Community Partnership Award from Easter Seals of West Alabama
Amy Henderson, Career Services – 2018-19 Leadership Tuscaloosa Member and earned Education Workforce Academy Credential
Tennyson Smith, Office of Recruitment – President of Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (ALACRAO) and Vice President for Distinct Populations and Programs for the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (SACRAO)
Tina Turley, Theatre Tuscaloosa – Alabama Conference of Theatre’s Hall of Fame Award
Veronica Cross, SOAR Institute – Presenter, “Using Reports to Track Student Success” Redrock Trac Conference, April 2019
Dr. Milady Murphy, Health and Wellness – Presenter, “Disease Prevention and Wellness: a Motivational Tool for Employee Wellness” Tuscaloosa City Hall, April 2019
Eric Prewitt, Veterans Affairs – Presenter, “Collegiate 100: a Unique Partnership” Achieve Conference, March 2019
Joan Wilder, Health Information Technology – Panel Speaker, “Hospital Star Ratings – Continuing Lessons Learned on Coding and Documentation” Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation’s Quality Forum
Selected by their Shelton State peers, the winners of the 2018 Chancellor’s Award were acknowledged at the 2018 Alabama Community College Association meeting in Mobile on November 18, 2018.
Leah Armstrong, English, Academic Faculty
Dr. Anika Lodree, SOAR Institute, Administrator
Dustin McDow, Welding, Technical Faculty
Leigh Ann Wyatt, Academic Services, Support Staff
On Wednesday, August 15, 2018, the College community ushered in a brand new year together at Fall Convocation. In addition to College-wide meetings and fellowship, the day was spent planning for the coming year and sharing ideas for success. The College was delighted to welcome Elizabeth Huntley as special guest speaker. An accomplished litigation attorney, a dedicated child advocate, and author and lecturer, Elizabeth Huntley joined SSCC faculty and staff for 2018 fall convocation. Ms. Huntley practices law at Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama, and she is the recipient of many professional honors and awards, including membership in The National Black Lawyers-Top 100 organization and selected by Super Lawyers as a 2017 Mid-South Super Lawyer. Author of the memoir, More than a Bird, Ms. Huntley referenced her own journey while speaking to the College community about the role of the community college and the various ways by which greatness can be inspired in Shelton State students.
“The College was honored to host the United State Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, for a tour of career technical programs on the Martin Campus on October 4, 2018. At the conclusion of her tour, Secretary DeVos participated in a round-table discussion with students, instructors, and business leaders to learn more about our successful partnerships with local business and industry. She and her staff were complimentary of our work and impressed by what we accomplish. In addition to Secretary DeVos and staff members from the Department of Education, we owe a sincere debt of gratitude to the distinguished guests who joined the tour and discussion. This was an exciting day for our College and one of many opportunities we have to tell our story.” - Dr. Bill Ashley, SSCC President
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