Ten CSCC Faculty Members Earn Promotions

Ten faculty members at Cleveland State Community College have earned promotions and three  were recommended and approved to receive tenure from the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Three faculty members earned promotion in rank to associate professor from assistant professor and include Sonya Franklin, Jim Peters and Dwight Williams. Six faculty members earned promotion in rank from assistant professor to instructor and include Maureen Baksh-Griffin, Donna Brogdon, Dr. Ben Estes, Dr. Indumathi Kamma, Dorothy Monroe and Priscilla Simms. Three faculty members were recommended and approved to receive tenure, and those include Sonya Franklin, Margaret Horten and Jim Peters.  

Ms. Franklin joined the Nursing/Health and Wellness division in the spring of 2009, where she serves as the freshmen nursing coordinator. Ms. Franklin earned a master’s degree in Health Administration and a master’s degree in Nursing, both from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an associate’s degree in Nursing from Black Hawk Community College. Prior to accepting the position at CSCC, Ms. Franklin served as nurse supervisor at Rhea County Health Department.

Mr. Peters joined the Math and Science division in the fall of 2009, where he teaches biology. Peters earned his master’s degree in Biology from Southern Illinois University, his bachelor’s degree in Biology and Theological Studies from Saint Louis University, and is a certified medical technologist through the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. He is currently working on his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis through ETSU. Prior to accepting the position at CSCC, Mr. Peters served as an instructor for Parkland College.

Mr.  Williams joined the Public Safety—Business and Technology division in the summer of 2005, where he has served as assistant director and currently serves as the director of the Law Enforcement Training Academy.  Mr. Williams earned his master’s degree in Criminal Justice from UTC, his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UTK and his Emergency Medical Technician from Roane State Community College. Prior to accepting the position at Cleveland State, he served as a training officer with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Department.

Ms.  Baksh-Griffin joined the Nursing/Health and Wellness division in the spring of 2012, where she teaches evening nursing courses.  Ms. Baksh-Griffin earned her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in Global Disaster Nursing  and a bachelor’s degree in Human Communications from the City University of New York—Hunter College and a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from New York University. Prior to accepting the position at Cleveland State, Ms. Baksh-Griffin served as a staff nurse at Erlanger Medical Center.

Ms. Brogdon joined the Business and Technology division in the fall of 2012, where she teaches business courses. Ms. Brogdon earned her master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, also from UTC. Prior to accepting the position at CSCC, Ms. Brogdon served as a human resources contractor/consultant for Electric Power Board in Chattanooga. 

Dr. Estes joined the Math and Science division in the fall of 2013, where he teaches chemistry. Dr. Estes earned his doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry from UTK and a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Eastern Kentucky University. Prior to accepting the position at CSCC, Dr. Estes served as a graduate teaching assistant at UTK.

Dr. Kamma joined the Math and Science division in the spring of 2012, where she teaches physics. Dr. Kamma earned her doctorate in Applied Physics from Alabama A&M University, her master’s degree in Engineering Physics from Kakatiya University in India and her bachelor’s degree in Physics, Math and Chemistry from Nagarjuna University, also in India. Prior to accepting the position at CSCC, Kamma served as a teaching assistant at Alabama A&M University. 

Ms. Monroe joined the Nursing/Health and Wellness division in the fall of 2012, where she is a member of the sophomore nursing faculty. Ms. Monroe earned her master’s degree from East Tennessee State University as a family nurse practitioner, her bachelor’s degree in Nursing, also from ETSU and an associate’s degree from Roane State Community College. Prior to accepting the position at CSCC, Ms. Monroe served as a health science teacher and was the Career Technical Education Department head at Sweetwater High School. 

Ms. Simms joined the Nursing/Health and Wellness division in the spring of 2012, where she is a member of the sophomore nursing faculty.  Ms. Simms earned her master’s degree in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and her bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education from UTK. Prior to accepting the position at CSCC, Ms. Simms served as a nurse practitioner with Complex Care Solutions out of Chattanooga. 

Ms. Horten joined the Humanities and Social Sciences division in the fall of 2009, where she teaches early childhood education courses.  Ms. Horten earned two master’s degrees in Education from the University of Phoenix, one in Early Childhood Education and one in Curriculum and Instruction. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Governor State University and an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Chattanooga State Technical Community College. Prior to accepting the position at CSCC, Ms. Horten served as the child development coordinator for the Head Start/Pre-K program through the Family Resource Agency.