Leadership on Deck Institute
Cohort IV
Closing Ceremonies
April 25, 2025
School of Concrete and Construction Management
Auditorium
LEADERSHIP ON DECK
INSTITUTE PROGRAM
Welcome
Dr. Amy Aldridge, Vice Provost for Academic Programs
Dr. Brian Hinote, Vice Provost for Faculty and Strategic Initiatives
Presentations
Non-Financial Compensation
Presenter: Dr. Lucy Matthews 1:15–1:30
Student Ambassadors
Presenter: Dr. Kathryn Blankenship 1:30–1:45
Faculty Handbook
Presenter: Dr. Dianna Rust 1:45–2:00
Curriculum Developments in Math
Presenter: Dr. Rachel Leander 2:00–2:15
New Ph.D. in Nursing Education
Presenter: Dr. Michelle Finch 2:15–2:30
Break
Hiring “Team Players”
Presenter: Dr. Mary Beth Asbury 2:45–3:00
Curriculum Resources
Presenter: Dr. Sally Ann Cruikshank 3:00–3:15
Faculty Mentoring
Presenter: Dr. Medha Sarkar 3:15–3:30
Course Scheduling
Presenter: Dr. Eric Detweiler 3:30–3:45
Advisory Boards
Presenter: Sandy Benson 4:00–4:15
Presentation of Completion
Dr. Mark Byrnes, Provost 4:15
Presenters
Dr. Mary Beth Asbury
Mary Beth Asbury is a professor and the chair of the Department of Communication Studies. Her research focuses on weight stigma in interpersonal and health contexts, such as how family communication influences the development of weight stigma in children, and her research has been published in various communication and family studies journals. Under her leadership as chair, Asbury has increased the number of Communication Studies majors by 30% and has fostered a vibrant, welcoming culture in the department for both students and faculty. Her desire to help others learn, grow, and develop their strengths drives her success in these areas. However, what she is most proud of is being viewed as a kind, generous, hardworking, and helpful person who tries to “speak life” to those she encounters.
Sandra “Sandy” S. Benson
Sandy Benson is the interim chair of the Department of Accounting. She started at MTSU as an adjunct professor while practicing law in 2005, later moving to lecturer and then tenure-track positions. Having reached her dream goal to become a full professor, she enjoys designing and teaching MT Engage and EXL courses and activities at both graduate and undergraduate levels. Benson is a proud past recipient of MTSU’s Outstanding Teaching Award. Her work has also been recognized by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress, the New York Society of CPAs, and CNBC, where she was featured as the legal scholar on an episode of American Greed. Benson enjoys running in her free time, recently placing first in her age category in the Hot Chocolate 5K race in Nashville.
Dr. Kathryn Blankenship
Kathryn Blankenship is an associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance and serves as the area coordinator for the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology program. Blankenship is a dedicated professional in the field of speech-language pathology. Her background in working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, along with her current research interests in vocabulary learning and student success, shows her passion for improving communication and education for everyone. She enjoys spending time with her three young children and husband on their family farm.
Dr. Sally Ann Cruikshank
Sally Ann Cruikshank is an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media. She co-authored the new Digital Media M.S., which will launch in the fall, and currently serves as the chair of Graduate Council. Her peer-reviewed research on press freedom in post-conflict societies has been published in several journals and presented at conferences around the world. Her second book, Personal Branding for Journalists: A Guide to Making Social Media Work for You , is forthcoming.
Dr. Eric Detweiler
Eric Detweiler is an associate professor in the Department of English and director of MTSU’s interdisciplinary Public Writing and Rhetoric program. He researches and teaches courses about the intersections of writing, rhetorical education, and digital media. His publications include the book Responsible Pedagogy: Moving Beyond Authority and Mastery in Higher Education and the podcast Rhetoricity. He is the recipient of MTSU’s Outstanding Achievement in Instructional Technology Award and owner of entirely too many cookbooks.
Dr. Michelle L. Finch
Michelle Finch is an associate professor in the School of Nursing, where she teaches in the graduate and undergraduate programs. She earned her Ph.D. in Nursing from Nova Southeastern University in 2017. She chairs the Nursing Promotion and Tenure Review Committee and the Program Evaluation Committee and is a member of the MTSU Institutional Review Board (IRB). She has been a member of the Sigma nursing honor society since 2006 and is the current treasurer for the Xi Alpha at-large chapter. Finch presented her research on emotional intelligence in senior nursing students at Sigma’s Biennial Convention in 2019 and 2023.
Dr. Rachel Leander
Rachel Leander is an applied mathematician and associate chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. She holds a doctorate from the University of Tennessee and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Mathematical Biosciences Institute in Columbus, Ohio, before joining MTSU in 2013. Her research in mathematical biology focuses on modeling and controlling complex biological processes related to growth and disease transmission. Leander loves engaging students of all levels in interdisciplinary research and mathematical exploration, and she has been recognized multiple times as an instructor that makes a difference.
Noël Lorson
Noël Lorson is an associate professor in the Department of Art and Design and program coordinator for Graphic Design. Lorson started her career in the advertising industry before receiving her M.F.A. from Temple University. She continues to stay active in the field of design through grants, independent
work, and group exhibitions. During her 20 years at MTSU, she has received the MTSU Outstanding Teaching Award, MTSU Outstanding Public Service Award, and several CLA advising awards. Lorson has served on many University committees, including being the graphic design advisor for the Honors College’s award-winning Collage magazine for 16 years. She is the faculty advisor for the MTSU AIGA student group and recently traveled with members of the group to a conference in Austin, Texas.
Dr. Lucy M. Matthews
Lucy M. Matthews is an associate professor in the Department of Marketing. She was instrumental in developing both Digital Marketing and Professional Selling concentrations in marketing. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles focusing on burnout, engagement, and grit. She has chaired MTSU committees at the department, college, and university levels. She has held the roles of program chair and president and is currently serving on the board of governors of the Atlantic Marketing Association and the Society for Marketing Advances. Matthews is the recipient of the MTSU Outstanding Public Service Award (2023) and the MTSU Outstanding Teaching Award (2022).
Shannon Randol
Shannon Randol teaches photography courses in the Media Arts Department in the College of Media and Entertainment. His photographic interest is with public spaces including design and usage, mourning sites, and impacts of consumption. His photographs have been included in national and international exhibitions. He also serves as curator for the Baldwin Photographic Gallery on the MTSU campus. Elected as a department representative for the Faculty Senate, starting in 2023, Randol serves on the Steering Committee, Academic Affairs Committee, and Faculty Handbook and Policy Committee, and he is the recording secretary for Faculty Senate.
Dr. Dianna Rust
Dianna Rust is a professor in University College and program coordinator for two undergraduate degree programs. She teaches courses at all levels, from UNIV 1010 to graduate, and all modes of delivery. She currently serves as the regional chair for the Association for Continuing Higher Education. She serves on the MTSU Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society board, as faculty advisor for the MTSU chapter of Colleges Against Cancer, and on the board of Feed America. Her research interests are related to student success for both traditional and nontraditional student populations, interdisciplinary studies, and the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Dr. Medha Sarkar
Medha Sarkar is a professor and chair of the Computer Science Department. She is dedicated to advancing software engineering education through industry partnerships and hands-on learning. In her software engineering class, she brings in mentors from software companies, enabling students to work closely with industry professionals. Under their guidance, students develop software systems by understanding requirements and deployment and gaining real-world experience. Her research focuses on graph grammars and software engineering for augmented reality therapies, exploring computational models for adaptive learning and therapeutic applications. As chair, she played a key role in launching two new Computer Science concentrations, Cybersecurity Systems and Artificial Intelligence, preparing students for high-demand fields.
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