Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University, has announced the individuals selected for the University’s 2020 Chancellor’s Fellows Program.
The program, which is directed and led by Dr. John Kline, professor and director of the Institute for Leadership Development, spans the spring and summer academic semesters and enables Fellows to take part in briefings and meetings and be mentored by Dr. Hawkins and the Senior Vice Chancellors, while also having the opportunity to meet with other University leaders as well as business leaders and state government officials.
“The Chancellor’s Faculty and Staff Fellowship Program enables qualified full-time faculty or staff to develop increased knowledge and understanding of the programs and operations of Troy University; furthermore, the fellows receive executive leadership, management and communication skills training,” said Dr. Kline. “Participants are selected based on their leadership potential and service to the University.”
Many Chancellor’s Fellows from previous years now hold positions as Vice Chancellors, Associate Vice Chancellors, Deans, Associate Deans, Program Directors, Department Chairs and other key positions.
The Fellows will undertake and complete a study focused on “Creating a Culture of Recruitment and Retainment” among the faculty and staff of TROY.
The Fellows were nominated by TROY deans, directors or vice chancellors. Five were selected from a list of candidates:
Dr. Kanessa Miller Doss is an associate professor of psychology and serves as director of operations in the College of Education for Troy University’s Montgomery Campus. Dr. Doss received her Master of Education in Biology Education and School Counseling, and Doctorate in School Psychology from Auburn University. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) with nine years of experience as a public-school educator. Her research interests are social-emotional functioning with an emphasis on school/college campus violence, bullying, school psychology advocacy, and youth suicide. Kanessa and her husband, Willie, have four children: Kaiden, Akayla, Ashton, and Kaitlyn.
Dr. Jacqueline Jones is an assistant professor of biological sciences, associate chair for the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, and director for the Biomedical Sciences graduate program. Dr. Jones is a motivational and leadership speaker and is leading a cancer research team focusing on advanced stages of prostate and breast cancer. She is a member of several professional societies and serves on various boards for non-profit organizations. Dr. Jones’s drive and motivation comes from her most important role as a wife and mother of three. God and her family are the center for her passion for mentoring, teaching, and inspiring others.
Jessica Kimbro, a TROY graduate, is the assistant director of graduate programs, and previously served as an admissions counselor and recruiter for the University. She is still passionate about recruiting and retaining students for both undergraduate and graduate studies at TROY but is now committed to bringing new programs and helping to enhance and preserve the stability and growth of current academic offerings. With her undergraduate degree in international business and a Master of Business Administration, she has a special desire to enhance the University’s global presence. She and her husband, Turner, have one son, Price.
Santiago Pinzon is the associate director of athletics for compliance and student-athlete success with the TROY Athletics Department. Pinzon serves as a liaison between the Athletics Department and other University departments. He is also the University’s liaison with the Sun Belt Conference and the NCAA. A former student-athlete, Pinzon was an intern at the IMG Soccer Academy and was primary contact for the USA Women’s U-20 national team. The Colombia native earned his bachelor’s from North Georgia and a Master’s in Sport and Fitness Management from TROY. Pinzon leads the Troy University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and serves as an assistant golf coach.
Dr. Shane A. Tatum is director of recreation and wellness but has been at TROY since 2005. His degrees are all from TROY, where he received his doctorate in Sport Management in 2018. Dr. Tatum specializes in participation patterns and sportsmanship of college students in campus recreation. He has performed research on this topic by examining the motivation of females to participate in campus recreation activities. Dr. Tatum enjoys watching his kids participate in leisure activities and spending time in the outdoors. Dr. Tatum lives in Troy with his wife, Jessica, and his two children, Bryce and Ella.
