Fall
2024 COMMENCEMENT
commencement ceremony saturday, december seventh two thousand twenty-four at gentry center complex nine o ’ clock in the morning
tennessee state university nashville , tennessee
Table of Contents
STATEMENT OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
TSU-21-196(B)-8b-30010 – Tennessee State University does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by Tennessee State University. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Office of Equity and Inclusion, 3500 John Merritt Blvd., General Services Building, Second Floor, Nashville, TN 37209, 615-963-7435. The Tennessee State University policy on nondiscrimination can be found at www.tnstate.edu/nondiscrimination.
Office of the President
December 7, 2024
To the Graduating Class of Fall 2024:
On behalf of the entire Tennessee State University community, your fellow classmates, faculty, administrators and alumni, I congratulate you on this outstanding achievement. I applaud you for this milestone in your academic career. Today we also celebrate this momentous occasion for the many family members and friends who have supported you throughout this journey.
Tennessee State University continues to prepare students who are future-ready and who leave their mark on the world. You graduates are now joining an elite group of change-makers like two we met at this year’s Homecoming: Mr. Jesse Eugene Russell, inventor of the digital cellular base station and the fibre optic microcell, changing the way we communicate by creating the concept for the wireless digital phone; Dr. Clarice Evone Phelps, nuclear chemist and researcher of radioactive transuranic elements, discovering the chemical element tennessine (element 117). These trailblazers have forged a path for you. Today we honor your achievements and as you move your tassel or be hooded, we ask that you allow the University’s motto of Think, Work, Serve to be your foundation in all that you pursue.
It is my hope that you will forever cherish your years at Tennessee State University. Please accept my best wishes for a bright and successful future. All the best as you continue your life’s destined journey. Class of 2024, to you I say as heartfelt, “Congratulations!”.
Sincerely,
Ronald A. Johnson, PhD Interim President
Board of Trustees
December 7, 2024
Dear Graduates of the Class of December 2024:
On behalf of the Tennessee State University Board of Trustees, it is my great honor and privilege to congratulate you on this monumental achievement - your graduation from one of the nation’s most esteemed institutions of higher learning.
Your time at TSU has prepared you to go forth and make a profound positive impact on your communities and the world at large. I am in awe of your resilience and ability to thrive despite the overwhelming challenges you faced during your time at TSU. The knowledge, skills, and values instilled in you through your academic studies and participation in campus life have formed the foundation from which you can build truly remarkable lives and careers. As graduates of Tennessee State University, you now carry the torch lit by the generations of Tigers who came before you. I too am a proud graduate of this incredible institution. This university has a rich legacy of producing leaders, innovators, and engaged citizens committed to excellence, service, and the relentless pursuit of social justice and positive change.
Remain forever curious, open to learning, and committed to using your talents to uplift humanity and create a better world.
Once again, congratulations Class of December 2024! You have made us all proud, and we cannot wait to see the incredible impact you will continue to have. Continue to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead with courage, passion and the determination that defines a true Tennessee State University Tiger.
Sincerely,
Dakasha Winton, JD Chair, Tennessee State University Board of Trustees
Bill
lee Governor
State of Tennessee
Dear Graduates,
On behalf of the great State of Tennessee, I would like to offer my congratulations to the Fall 2024 graduates of Tennessee State University.
As you begin the next chapter in your life, I am confident that the knowledge you have gained throughout your college career will lead you on a prosperous and rewarding path. You have had the opportunity to develop your unique talents over the past four years and I encourage you to utilize these lessons to improve your community and the lives of those around you.
Your family and loved ones must be extremely proud of your accomplishments and I join them in wishing you well as you embark on your next exciting adventure.
Again, congratulations on reaching this milestone. Maria and I wish you success in all your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Bill Lee Governor
December 7, 2024
Dear Graduates of the Fall Class of 2024,
Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone in your academic journey! As the President of the TSU National Alumni Association, I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you on your graduation from Tennessee State University. This is not just a celebration of your hard work and dedication, but also a testament to your endurance in overcoming the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic.
Throughout these past few years, you have navigated obstacles that tested your resiliency. You have shown remarkable strength, adaptability, and determination, embodying the spirit of perseverance that is a hallmark of our great Alma Mater. Your ability to thrive in adversity speaks volumes about your character and prepares you to make meaningful contributions to our society.
As you step into this new chapter of your lives, it is important to remember the legacy of excellence that TSU represents. Our school has a proud history of producing leaders, innovators, and change-makers who have made significant impacts across various fields. You are now part of this legacy, and with that comes the responsibility to uplift those who will follow in your footsteps.
I invite you to join the Tennessee State University National Alumni Association, where you can remain connected to your alma mater and fellow graduates. Please visit www.tsualumnionline.org and create your profile. You can acquire a complimentary one (1) year membership in TSUNAA by completing the application - bit.ly/tsurecentgrad. By becoming an active member, you can contribute to the continued success of TSU and support future generations of students. Your involvement can take many forms: mentoring current students, participating in alumni events, or contributing to initiatives that enhance the university experience.
Together, we can create a powerful network that empowers each other and fosters the growth of our TSU community. Your unique experiences and perspectives are invaluable, and your engagement will help ensure that TSU’s legacy endures for many years to come.
As you celebrate your accomplishments and look towards the future, know that TSUNAA is here to support you every step of the way. We are excited to welcome you into our vibrant alumni community, where you can continue to make an impact long after you leave campus.
Congratulations once again to the Fall Class of 2024! We look forward to seeing all that you will achieve in the years ahead.
Warmest regards,
Katrina Kerr
Katrina Kerr, 27th National President, TSUNAA
Interim President RONALD A.
JOHNSON, PHD
Ronald A. Johnson is a higher education advisor and executive who has led “turnarounds” successfully at both public and private universities. Johnson is motivated by a fundamental belief that higher education is about transforming lives and igniting new possibilities for social and economic advancement. He is known for his commitment to amplifying student success and strengthening the financial health and long-term sustainability of colleges and universities through a culture of accountability, shared governance, mentorship, and continuous improvement.
In today’s rapidly shifting landscape for tuition driven universities, Johnson’s approach focuses the attention of board members and leadership on the continuously evolving course of action—the strategic edge—required to effectively manage, maintain, and enhance the impact of higher education institutions.
Johnson is currently a Presidential Counsel in the Registry Advisory Service Board Governance and Leadership Practice. He is a co-founder and Advisory Board Member of the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) at CAU and a recipient of its inaugural Frederick S. Humphries Leadership Award. ELI’s mission is to increase the number of qualified candidates for the presidency and cabinet-level positions at HBCUs through a program centered on the development of leadership competencies, mentorship by current and former HBCU presidents, and real time practice in HBCU working environments.
He served as a member of the President’s Advisory Board of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and served as the Chairman of the Consumer Advisory Board of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau of the United States.
Johnson is the former Interim President of Kentucky State University (KSU) and the immediate past President of Clark Atlanta University (CAU). At KSU, Johnson assembled a team of specialists to address priorities outlined in House Bill 250 (HB250) and issues raised by the Auditor of Public Accounts, SACSCOC, and the NCAA as well as running the day-to-day operations of the institution. He initiated a plan of action entitled “An Intended Future for KSU”, which restored fiscal/operational stability and realigned operations, policies and resources for better performance.
Johnson held the position of President and Chief Investment Officer at Smith Graham & Company, and Director of Global Fixed Income Research and Senior Portfolio Manager for Franklin Templeton Worldwide.
Johnson earned a PhD and MA in economics from Stanford University, after completing an MBA in finance and a BA in economics from Adelphi University.
Dr. Turner Nashe, Jr.
History of Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a comprehensive, urban coeducational, land-grant university founded in 1912 in Nashville, Tennessee. The university has two locations – the 500-acre main campus, with more than 65 buildings, located in a residential setting along the Cumberland River; and the Avon Williams Campus, located downtown, near the center of Nashville’s business and government district.
Through successive stages, TSU has developed from a normal school for Negroes to its current status as an international university with students from 45 states and more than 50 countries. By virtue of a 1909 Act of the General Assembly, the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School was created, along with two other normal schools in the State of Tennessee, and began serving students on June 19, 1912. Dr. William Jasper Hale was appointed president with an original 247 students.
In 1922, the institution was elevated to the status of a four-year teachers’ college and was empowered to grant the bachelor’s degree. The first degrees were granted in June 1924. During the same year, the institution became known as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal College. In 1927, “Normal” was dropped from the name of the College.
As the college grew in scope and stature throughout the 1920s and 1930s, so too did its impressive roster of alumni who embodied the school’s charge: “Enter to learn, go forth to serve.” In 1943, an alumnus, Dr. Walter S. Davis, was selected to succeed Dr. Hale. Dr. Davis led the institution through an era of tremendous growth in academics, facilities and athletics leading to worldwide recognition. The Tennessee General Assembly of 1941 authorized the State Board of Education to upgrade substantially the educational program of the college, which included the establishment of graduate studies leading to the master’s degree. The first master’s degree was awarded by the college in June 1944.
Accreditation of the institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools was first obtained in 1946. In August 1951, the institution was granted university status by approval of the State Board of Education. The reorganization of the institution’s educational programs included the establishment of the Graduate School, the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Education and the School of Engineering. Provisions were also made for the addition of other schools, including agriculture, business, allied health and home economics.
After Dr. Walter S. Davis retired as president, another TSU alumnus, Dr. Andrew Torrence, was named the university’s third president. During his tenure, the state legislature dropped “Agriculture & Industrial” and officially changed the name to Tennessee State University in 1968. Also during that same year, TSU faculty member Rita Sanders filed a lawsuit, which became known as Geier v. Tennessee, alleging a dual system of higher education in Tennessee based on race.
Following the service of Dr. Charles B. Fancher as interim president, Dr. Frederick Humphries became TSU’s fourth president in 1975. He was the first president to face the challenge of maintaining the balance between TSU’s role as one of America’s preeminent historically black universities and its emerging status as a comprehensive national university. During his tenure, on July 1, 1979, the Geier case was settled by a court order merging the former University of Tennessee at Nashville with TSU as a result of a court order.
Following the service of Dr. Roy Peterson as interim president, Dr. Otis Floyd became TSU’s fifth chief executive in 1987 and continued moving the university forward. In 1988, the university received an unprecedented $112 million from the state general assembly for capital improvements. Under this plan, nearly all buildings on campus were renovated, and eight new buildings were constructed, including the Floyd-Payne Campus Center, the Ned McWherter Administration Building, the Wilma Rudolph Residence Center and the Performing Arts Center.
In 1990, the Tennessee Board of Regents appointed Dr. Floyd as its chancellor, opening the way for Dr. George Cox to serve in an interim capacity until Dr. James Hefner was selected as the University’s sixth president in 1991. Dr. Hefner supervised additional improvements to campus facilities and fostered enrollment growth to an all-time high. The Otis Floyd Nursery Crops Research Station in McMinnville was dedicated in 1996 and, in 1999 researchers at the TSU Center for Automated Space Science were the first to discover a planet outside the solar system.
Dr. Melvin N. Johnson became the university’s seventh president in June 2005, and was instrumental in continuing to bring national attention to the university by recognizing the Freedom Riders, engaging the university in the Tennessee Campus Compact and was awarded $8 million for Race to the Top Funds by President Barack Obama. After Dr. Johnson’s retirement, Dr. Portia Shields served as interim president from 2011-2012.
In the university’s second century of academic excellence and service, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover became the eighth president and first woman to lead the 100-plus year institution in January 2013. She continues to make changes to further emphasize the excellence for which Tennessee State University is internationally known.
Through its eight colleges and schools, TSU offers 39 undergraduate degrees, 25 master’s degrees, 1 specialist degree program and 7 doctoral degrees: biological sciences, computer information systems engineering, psychology, public administration, curriculum and instruction, administration and supervision, and physical therapy.
In summary, during its 100-plus year history, eight presidents and five interim presidents have served the institution.
William Jasper Hale 1912-1943
Walter S. Davis 1943-1968
Andrew P. Torrence 1968-1974
Charles B. Fancher 1974-1975 (Interim)
Frederick S. Humphries 1975-1985
Roy Peterson 1985-1986 (Interim)
Otis L. Floyd 1987-1990, 1986-1987 (Interim)
George W. Cox 1990-1991 (Interim)
James A. Hefner 1991-2005
Melvin N. Johnson 2005-2011
Portia Shields 2011-2012 (Interim)
Glenda Baskin Glover 2013-2024
Ronald A. Johnson 2024-Present (Interim)
Vision, Mission and Core Values
VISION STATEMENT
Tennessee State University aspires to be the premier public urban, comprehensive institution achieving prominence through innovation and instruction, research, creativity, and service with the dissemination of knowledge and information.
MISSION STATEMENT
Tennessee State University, through its legacy as an HBCU and land grant institution, transforms lives, prepares a diverse population of leaders, and contributes to economic and community development by providing affordable and accessible educational programs at various degree levels promoting academic excellence through scholarly inquiry, teaching, research, lifelong learning, and public service.
CORE VALUES
Tennessee State University maintains the following core values:
• Learning everyday
• Making excellence a habit
• Thinking beyond the obvious
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
• Working relentlessly
• Serving everyone, we encounter
Tennessee State University, an HBCU and 1890 land grant institution, is a major state-supported urban and comprehensive university. This unique combination of characteristics differentiates the university from others and shapes its instructional, research, and service programs designed to serve Metropolitan Nashville, Middle Tennessee, the State of Tennessee, the nation, and the global community. The university is committed to maintaining its diverse student body, faculty, and staff.
Tennessee State University provides quality instruction through academic programs which are broadly comprehensive at the baccalaureate and master’s levels. Doctoral programs are offered in select areas where the University exhibits strength in instruction and research and consistent with the University’s unique mission. The University’s educational programs are intended to increase the student’s level of knowledge, enhance the student’s skills, and expand the student’s awareness.
Tennessee State University is committed to engaging in pure and applied research which contributes to the body of knowledge and which broadens the application of knowledge. Whenever possible, the university strives to provide its students with the opportunity to be involved in the research activities of the faculty and academic staff.
Tennessee State University serves its constituents through an array of programs and services which apply the knowledge, skills and discoveries of the instructional and research units at the institution. These services are intended to broaden the perspectives and enhance the quality of life of the University’s service constituents.
Tennessee State University expresses its commitment to students’ overall development by promoting lifelong learning, scholarly inquiry, and a commitment of service to others. Programs and services are geared toward promoting and nurturing students’ growth and development as persons who are liberally educated, appreciate cultural diversity and embody a sense of civic and social responsibility.
Tennessee State University projects itself to its students, faculty, and alumni and to the citizens of the State through the motto, “Think. Work. Serve.” Tennessee State University remains committed to the education of a non-racially identifiable student body and promotes diversity and access without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY FALL 2024 CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES
Fall 2024 Commencement
Order of Ceremony
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Dr. Ronald A. Johnson
Interim President
Tennessee State University Presiding Officer
Opening ....................................................................................................... Dr. Robbie Melton, Interim Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Vice-President for Smart Technology Innovations
Prelude ........................................................ Pomp & Circumstance – Wind Ensemble, Dr. Reginald McDonald
Mace & Baton Bearer ..............................................................................................................
Dr. Nicole Arrighi
Chief Marshall & Professor of Teaching & Learning
Academic Processional (audience stand)
Presentation of Colors (audience stand) TSU Color Guard, LTC Stephen Cash
Star Spangled Banner (audience stand)
Lift Every Voice and Sing (audience stand)
Wind Ensemble, Dr. Reginald McDonald
Wind Ensemble, Dr. Reginald McDonald
Introduce TSU Interim President ............................................................................................ Dr. Robbie Melton
Greetings .........................................................................................................
Interim President Ronald Johnson
Invocation ............................................................................................................................ Chrishonda O’Quinn President of Student Government Association
Selection....................................................................................................................................... Wind Ensemble
Introduction of Speaker Mister TSU Chandler Cotton and Miss TSU Chandler Holt
Commencement Address Dr. Turner Nashe, Jr.
Presentation to Speaker Interim President Ronald Johnson
Acknowledgements/Recognition ............................................................................................ Dr. Robbie Melton
Graduate Presentation of Dean, Colleges & Candidates for Degrees ................................ Dr. Robbie Melton & Interim President Ronald Johnson
Undergraduate Presentation of Deans, Colleges & Candidates for Degrees...................... Dr. Robbie Melton & Interim President Ronald Johnson
Undergraduate Student Academic Excellence Award Dr. Coreen Jackson, Dean of Honors College
Academic Deans
Dr. Chandra Reddy College of Agriculture
Dr. Muhammed Miah College of Business, Interim
Dr. Janet Finch College of Education
Dr. Lin Li College of Engineering, Interim
Dr. Ronald Barredo College of Health Sciences
Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Nolan McMurray College of Life & Physical Sciences
Dr. Rodney Stanley College of Public Service, Interim
Dr. Trinetia Respress Graduate School, Interim
Alumni Induction Ceremony .....................................................................
Katrina Kerr, President of TSUNAA
Alumni Pledge:
I hereby fervently pledge my lifelong loyalty, service, and financial support to my alma mater in appreciation for the opportunities afforded me at Tennessee State University.
I pledge to maintain active membership in the national alumni association, to encourage others to attend Tennessee State University, and to become a part of a global society of notable alumni who promote excellence as a way of life.
I further pledge to exemplify the high ideals of my alma mater, and to continue to hold fast to the University’s motto - Think. Work. Serve.
The Alma Mater ................................................................................
Recessional (Audience remains seated)
Wind Ensemble, Dr. Reginald McDonald
Wind Ensemble, Dr. Reginald McDonald
Commencement Speaker
DR. TURNER NASHE, JR.
Dr. Turner Nashe, Jr. is a seasoned entrepreneur and thought leader with a passion for innovation and community impact. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from John Carroll University and advanced degrees in Educational Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University, completing his Master’s in 2008 and Doctorate in 2010.
Dr. Nashe’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2009 with the founding of Innertainment Delivery Systems, a company pioneering innovative educational software solutions for correctional facilities. After successfully leading the company for seven years, he sold it to ViaPath in 2017. In his role as Executive Vice President at ViaPath, he implemented programs that significantly enhanced the educational attainment of inmates, achieving a remarkable increase of over 500%.
Since retiring in 2019, Dr. Nashe has continued to leverage his expertise in technology and business. He serves as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies, tech startups, and government entities, providing strategic guidance and innovative solutions. His significant contributions to the field have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the “Innovator of the Year” award from the Nashville Business Journal in 2014 and his recent induction into the Nashville Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2024.
Dr. Nashe is actively involved in the community through his board memberships at Sonata Bank, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Leadership Nashville, and 100 Black Men. He is committed to mentoring and inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs and leaders.
Doctoral Candidates for Degrees 2024 Fall Commencement
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
Divya Jain Nashville, TN
B.S., Delhi University, 2016
M.S., Teri University, 2017
Uncovering Medicago Truncatula Peptide Function during Nitrogen Deficiency and Root Nodule Symbiosis
Chair: Dr. Sonali Roy
Daniel Hunter Morris Medina, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Martin, 2011
M.S., University of Tennessee, Martin, 2013
Factors Influencing Tennessee Farmers’ Adoption of Technology: A Survey of TAEP Participants
Chair: Dr. John Ricketts
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Dr. Janet Finch, Dean
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Harold Eugene Brown Madison, TN
B.S., Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2014
M.A.Ed., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 2016
Undeniably Deniable: A Case Study of Tenure Denial, Persistence & Black Women
Chair: Dr. Trinetia Respress
Sherlita Denson Bessemer, AL
B.Ed., Alabama State University, 1995
M.Ed., Lesley University, 2007
Ed.S., Lesley University, 2009
Leadership Support for Single Black Mothers at a Historically Black Community College
Chair: Dr. Robbie K. Melton
Patrick L. Granberry Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2001
M.S., Tennessee State University, 2006
Student Success Management Focusing on First-Generation Students Attending an HBCU
Chair: Dr. Robbie K. Melton
Lesley D. Harper Pleasant Grove, AL
B.S., Stillman College, 1997
M.S., Alabama State University, 2010
Leadership Responses to Food Insecurity Impacting Academic Success at an HBCU
Chair: Dr. Robbie K. Melton
Angela LaJuan Jackson Madison, TN
B.S., University District of Columbia, 1993
M.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2015
University Human Resource Administrators’ Awareness on Generative AI in Higher Education
Chair: Dr. Robbie K. Melton
Garrett Blake Lewis Gadsden, AL
B.S., University of Montevallo, 2006
M.A.T., University of West Alabama, 2008
Athletic Participation on Retention and Sense of Belonging for Community College Baseball Players
Chair: Dr. Robbie K. Melton
Mehran Mostajir Brentwood, TN
B.S., SUNY, Buffalo, 1983
M.B.A., Gannon University, 1992
Student’s Perspective of College Degree through Dual Enrollment with Career Technical Education
Chair: Dr. Kirmanj Gundi
Nathaniel Rutledge Irondale, AL
B.S., Auburn University - Auburn, 1990
M.S., Auburn University - Montgomery, 2016
Police Chiefs’ Perceptions of Criminal Justice Education
Impact on Officer Leadership Skills
Chair: Dr. Robbie K. Melton
Tiana Dione Thompson Bessemer, AL
B.S.B.A., Huntingdon College, 2013
M.B.A., Strayer University, 2017
Addressing Challenges of African American Students in an Alabama HBCC Hospitality Program
Chair: Dr. Robbie K. Melton
Riley E. Walker Nolensville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2005
M.A.Ed., Tennessee State University, 2008
Ed.S., Tennessee Technological University, 2014
Educators’ Level of Cultural Competence and its Impact on Student’s Academic Achievement
Chair: Dr. Terrance McNeil
Adrienne Michelle Watson Antioch, TN
B.S., University of Central Missouri, 2010
M.A., Central Missouri State University, 2013
A Phenomenological Exploration of Double Consciousness: Two-ness in Black Women Educational Leaders
Chair: Dr. Terrance McNeil
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PSYCHOLOGY
Jeffery Eugene Bass Nashville, TN
B.A., Vanderbilt University, 2013
M.A., Middle Tennessee State University, 2016
Effect of Racial Identity on Academic Motivation and Stress Among African Americans
Chair: Dr. Robin Oatis-Ballew
Kernisha Denise Chaney Plantersville, AL
B.S., Troy State University, 2018
M.S., Troy State University, 2018
Phenomenological Investigation of Black Mothers’ Experiences with Postpartum and Medical Racial Biases
Chair: Dr. Tiffany R. Williams
Shakeira Dejarnaye Frye Antioch, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2015
M.S., Tennessee State University, 2019
The Impact of Exposure to Domestic Violence During Childhood Among African Americans
Chair: Dr. Esther Lynch
Lakeisha C. Hamilton-Robinson Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2001
M.S., Tennessee State University, 2013
Men’s Spirituality as a Predictor of Their Willingness to Seek Help
Chair: Dr. David Shen-Miller
Inhye Jang Michigan City, IN
B.A., Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, 2015
M.S.Ed., Purdue University, 2020
COVID-19 Racism and East Asian Mental Health: Roles of Acculturation and Social Support
Chair: Dr. Marie S. Hammond
Reniece A. Mashburn Hendersonville, TN
B.S., Western Kentucky University, 2018
M.S., Touro University Worldwide, 2020
Towards Decolonial Blueprints for Healing: Exploring Race-based Trauma in Black Communities
Chair: Dr. Tiffany R. Williams
Claire Chrmba. Muwele Brighton, MA
B.S., University of San Francisco, 2016
M.A., Boston College, 2020
The Hidden Toll: How Barriers to Accessing Healthcare Affect Immigrant Mental Health
Chair: Dr. Tiffany R. Williams
Sarah Rose Elizabetta Ragan Fairview, TN
B.S., James Madison University, 2013
M.S., Mercy College, 2016
Trauma and Disordered Eating in African American Women
Chair: Dr. Marie S. Hammond
Roneisha Simpson Nashville, TN
B.A., Fisk University, 2018
M.A., Fisk University, 2020
Why Do They Return? A Phenomenological Study Amongst Black Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Chair: Dr. Tiffany R. Williams
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Dr. Lin Li, Interim Dean
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
ENGINEERING AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES
Armando B. Mpembele Antioch, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2018
M.S., Tennessee State University, 2019
Differential Privacy-Enabled Federated Learning for 5G-EdgeCloud Framework in Smart Healthcare
Chair: Dr. Tamara Rogers and Dr. Uttam Ghosh
COLLEGE OF LIFE & PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Dr. Nolan McMurray, Dean
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
BIOLOGICAL
SCIENCE
Jerel Crew Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2014
M.A., Tennessee State University, 2017
Encapsulation of Cannabidiol for the Enhancement of Gut Health Utilizing Industrial Hemp
Chair: Dr. Ying Wu and Dr. Artenzia Young-Seigler
Doaa Sami Jaha Nashville, TN
M.S., Tennessee State University, 2011
Effects of Agarwood Oil on Growth and Gene Expression of Staphylococcus Aureus
Chair: Dr. Joshua Ohair and Dr. Xiaofei Wang
Aleshia N. Seaton-Terry Houston, TX
B.S., Philander Smith College, 2009
M.S., Tennessee State University, 2011
Toll-Like Receptors in Pentachlorophenol and DibutyltinInduced IL-1? and IL-6 Production
Chair: Dr. Margaret Whalen
Lisa Marie Tucker Clarksville, TN
B.S., Austin Peay State University, 2018
M.S., Austin Peay State University, 2019
High Salt Diet Induced Tumor Initiating Stem Cells Mediate Breast Cancer Progression
Chair: Dr. Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi
Graduate Candidates for Degrees 2024 Fall Commencement
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean
MASTER OF SCIENCE
AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP
Sujan Ghimire Bharatpur, Nepal
B.S., Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, 2017
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
Devashish Bhandari Butwal, India
B.S., Agriculture and Forestry University, 2020
Purushottam Dhungana Lekhnath, Nepal
B.S., Agriculture and Forestry University, 2020
Niraj Ghimire Nashville, TN
B.S., Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, 2017
Travis Hinton Cross Plains, TN
B.S., Western Kentucky University, 2016
Mawel Lual Jok Antioch, TN
B.S., Salem State College, 2016
Dibya Thapa Magar Bhairahawa, Nepal
B.S., Tribhuvan University, 2019
Satya Prakash Tiwari Vindhyanagar, India
B.S., Banaras University, 2017
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Jonathan A. Alford Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University 2021
Diptesh Banerjee Konnagar, India
B.S., Abia State University, 2020
Spencer L. Gordon Antioch, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2016
Andruw Harrison Jones Antioch, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2016
Marley Machara Nashville, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2020
Binita Sigdel Nawalparasi, Nepal
B.S., Tribhuvan University, 2017
Emmanuel D. Wallace Memphis, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
FOOD AND ANIMAL SCIENCES
Divine Afunu Boka Kaduna, Nigeria
B.S., Abia State University, 2020
Vivek Grandhe Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, India
D.V.M., Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, 2021
Alexis Taylor McDade Smyrna, TN
B.S., Western Kentucky University, 2016
Rabin Raut Charikot, Nepal
D.V.M., Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, 2017
Cevat Tartan Spring Hill, TN
D.V.M., Selkirk College, 2021
Sandhya Thapa Rupandehi, Nepal
B.S., Banaras Hindu University, 2017
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Dr. Muhammed Miah, Interim Dean
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Asma Andolsi Medjez El Bab, Tunisia
B.B.A., Tunis Business School, 2021
Marmar Bastory Nolensville, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2019
Shakkira A. Bates Nashville, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2023
Ernest Scott Bellinger Nashville, TN
B.B.A., Belmont University, 2023
Caitlyn Bickler Palmyra, WI
B.S., Liberty University, 2023
Demanuel Charles Boyd Owens Cross Roads, AL
B.S., Tennessee Technological University, 2014
Dontay L. Daniel Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2023
James L. Davidson Antioch, TN
B.A., Tennessee State University, 2023
Walter E. Davis Brownsville, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2012
Chandranie K. Dissanayake Nashville, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2006
Joena B. Drummond Nashville, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2019
Taylor Ann Faison Nashville, TN
B.B.A., Hampton University, 2023
Zenera Foster Nashville, TN
B.S.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2022
Hannah Glotzer Pegram, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
Pamela Jo Gregory Hudson Spring Hill, TN
B.S., Florida A & M University, 1995
D.P.T., Alabama State University, 2015
Everett Andre Hall Nashville, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2022
Anjana Hassan Nashville, TN
B.S., Medical College Kottayam, 2000
Kaelyn Herring Memphis, TN
B.B.A., University of Memphis, 2021
Antoinette Nikita Hightower Memphis, TN
B.B.A., Middle Tennessee State University, 2020
Keith Hudson Spring Hill, TN
B.S., Alcorn State University, 1992
Jaylend D. Jackson Nashville, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2022
Rekha Sahebrao Jadhavar Latur, India
B.E., Savitribai Phule Pune University, 2014
Emerald Johnson Jackson, MS
B.A., Tougaloo College, 2018
Kayla M. Johnson Gallatin, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2023
Gregory A. Jones Mt. Juliet, TN
B.S., Western Michigan University, 1991
Marleez Kirolos Smyrna, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2020
Brandon R. Littleton Murfreesboro, TN
B.B.A., Belmont University, 2010
Justice D. Lucas Bessemer, AL
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2022
Cordia E. McCutcheon Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
Eric McDavid Old Hickory, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2022
Michael Patrick Shanks
B.B.A., Belmont University, 2023
Treniesha Sherman Inglewood, CA
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2023
Husna Siddiqui Smyrna, TN
B.A., Kabul University, 2017
Meghan Nicole Smith Woodlawn, TN
B.B.A., Auburn Univ Auburn University, 2017
Carl Henry Steele II Nashville, TN
B.S.B..A, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, 2018 University of Oklahoma, 2021
Taniya Taylor Nashville, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2023
Rheyna Tinguee Houston, TX
B.B.A., University of North Texas, 2022
Kha’myah Townsend Antioch, TN
B.S., Jacksonville St University, 2022
George F. Yousef Nolensville, TN
B.E., Tennessee State University, 2011
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Dr. Janet Finch, Dean
EDUCATION SPECIALIST
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Sheila McDuffie Memphis, TN
B.A., Jackson State University, 2018
M.Ed., Jackson State University, 2020
MASTER OF EDUCATION
CURRICULIM AND INSTRUCTION
Adam Michael Sisk Nolensville, TN
B.A., Middle Tennessee State University, 2015
Calvin David Williams Nashville, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2021
Tanuverne Williams Clarksville, TN
B.S., Western Kentucky University, 2007
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Michael R. Adkins Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2009
M.Ed., Trevecca Nazarene University, 2022
Elizabeth Disney Greenback, TN
B.Ed., East Tennessee State University, 2006
Sherri Dowdy Murfreesboro, TN
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University, 1994
M.Ed., Middle Tennessee State University, 2000
Veronica Gooden Antioch, TN
B.S., University of Memphis, 2014
M.S., Western Governors University, 2018
Breyer Hillegas Nashville, TN
B.S., University of Maryland University, 2016
Ashley E. Hogan Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2006
Kimberly Howard Holt Southaven, MS
B.Ed., Crichton College, 2010
Sheila Jean Hubbard Ripley, TN
B.S.W., University of Memphis, 2006
M.Ed., Lipscomb University, 2021
Kristen Lockert Nashville, TN
B.S., University of Memphis, 2003
M.Ed., Trevecca Nazarene University, 2011
Whitney McCraney Millington, TN
B.S., University Tennessee, Knoxville, 2010
Denecca D. Moore Antioch, TN
B.B.A., Tennessee State University, 2002
M.B.A., University of Phoenix, 2005
Lakesha N. Rayford Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2000
LaShondra D. Skinner Memphis, TN
B.S., Rust College, 2004
Dustin Smith Paris, TN
B.E., Christian Brothers University, 2011
William T. Taylor Antioch, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2019
Danielle Rayenell Towns-Belton Memphis, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2010
M.S., Tennessee State University, 2012
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Adrian Anderson Tullahoma, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, 2015
Charles W. Booker Nashville, TN
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University, 2018
Tisha L. Carr Cordova, TN
B.A.S., ITT Technical Institute - Memphis, 2009
Rhea Todd Durr Arrington, TN
B.S., West Virginia University, Morgantown, 1988
Jackie Franklin-McKinney Springfield, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2007
Latoya L. Long LaVergne, TN
B.A.S., Trevecca Nazarene University, 2018
Charity Michelle McCray Antioch, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
Kimberly C. Rudd Memphis, TN
B.A., University of Memphis, 2017
Jackqueline R. Russell Covington, TN
B.B.A., DeVry University Decatur, GA, 2008
Australia A. Say Nashville, TN
B.A., Fisk University, 2019
April Scott Southaven, MS
B.S.Ed., University of Memphis, 2008
M.A., University of Memphis, 2015
Kelsey N. Webber Madison, TN
B.S., Suny Empire State College, 2021
MASTER OF SCIENCE
PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING
Allison Dionne Simpson Nashville, TN
B.S., Auburn University, 2007
PSYCHOLOGY
Genesis G. Lawrence Baton Rouge, LA
B.A., Fisk University, 2022
Maurisa N. Pointer Hendersonville, TN
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University, 2015
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Dr. Lin Li, Interim Dean
MASTER OF ENGINEERING ENGINEERING
Mahad Mohamed Abdi Antioch, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2023
Christopher Ricardo Buford Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
William B. Burney Goodlettsville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 1986
Russell James Byers Antioch, TN
B.S, Tennessee State University, 2022
Jamahd Dias Clarksville, TN
B.S., Louisiana Tech University, 2021
Fatima K. Ghanem Nashville, TN
M.B.A., Southern New Hampshire University, 2020
Mohammad Amin Hodaei Nahavand, Iran
B.S., Bu-Ali Sina University, 2012
M.S., Sahand University of Technology, 2015
Cescar Jepchumba Kangogo Nashville, TN
B.E., Kenyatta University, 2021
Yongfei Li Huangshi, China
B.E., Chongqing University of Science and Technology, 2019
M.S., Chongqing University of Science and Technology, 2022
Xinyu Lu Chongqing, China
B.E., Chongqing University of Science and Technology, 2023
Jose C. Portillo Murfreesboro, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
MASTER OF SCIENCE
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Olakunle Olaoluwa Akinwumi Lagos, Nigeria
B.E., Federal University of Technology Akure, 2019
Ashjan Sultan Al Harbi Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2020
Ekramul Haque Chattogram, Bangladesh
B.S., Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology, 2019
Emmanuel Julius Samson Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
B.S., University of Dar es Salaam, 2020
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Daniela Asimwe Birungi Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2023
Nicolas V. Nguyen Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2023
Ms Renu Ghaziabad, India
B.S., Guru Gohind Singh Indraprastha University, 2010
Sophonie Sidrac Antioch, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2020
Waheed Davon Williams Nassau, Bahamas
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2001
M.S., Tennessee State University, 2005
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Dr. Ronald Barredo, Dean
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING
Hannah Cathleen Crouse Nashville, TN
B.S., Berry College, 2017
Jayme A. McGrail Memphis, TN
B.A., Rhodes College, 2014
Devante C. Ray Gallatin, TN
B.A., Cumberland University, 2015
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION
HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND SPORT SCIENCES
Jared J. Coulter Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2015
Zoe Ariee Hinds Olive Branch, MS
B.A., Fisk University, 2023
Maddison Michelle Metcalf Forrest City, AR
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2021
Joshua D. Morris Memphis, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2019
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH
PUBLIC HEALTH
Brian Calhoun Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2021
Anani M. Love Memphis, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2020
Khem Otumfo Plata Nashville, TN
B.A., Fisk University, 2018
MASTER OF SCIENCE
NURSING
Emily Marie Lopez Hendersonville, TN
B.S.N., Austin Peay State University, 2011
Christiana Marie Porco Nashville, TN
B.S.N., Dominican University of New York, 2016
Amy Walter Greenbrier, TN
B.S., Cumberland University, 2018
SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCE
Letty E. Irvin Collierville, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2021
Lindsay Jo Leonard Nashville, TN
B.S., East Carolina University, 2019
MASTER OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Molly Elizabeth Brown Talbot, TN
B.S., Austin Peay State University, 2022
Jordan Samuel Buck Ridgeland, MS
B.S., Mississippi State University, 2021
Anne Elizabeth Cyrs Milwaukee, WI
B.S., Marquette University, 2022
Julia Marie Davis Murfreesboro, TN
B.S., Western Kentucky University, 2021
Victoria Elizabeth Davis Memphis, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2014
M.S., Brenau University, 2020
Katherine C. Fisher Plainfield, IN
B.A., Otterbein College, 2021
Taylor Reese Gregory Cedar Hill, TN
B.S., Trevecca Nazarene University, 2018
Jayla De’Shae Harlan Nashville, TN
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University, 2021
Kaytlin N. Harris Murfreesboro, TN
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University, 2022
Kenedy Marie Holt Lawrenceburg, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2022
Brady Ryan Ingram Franklin, TN
B.S., Western Kentucky University, 2021
Ella Marie Lathem Nashville, TN
B.A., Lipscomb University, 2022
Hannah Lee Spring Hill, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2004
Colleen Ann Leschinski Nashville, TN
B.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2014
Kenna Alake McPherson Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
Taylor Lauren Mickelson Antioch, TN
B.S., University of Central Arkansas, 2013
M.S., California State University, Fresno, 2015
Ayana Tiara Moore Lakeland, FL
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2021
Luke Jean Hoon Moret Corvallis, OR
B.S., Oregon State University, 2022
Megan Neiman Hermitage, TN
B.S., Florida State University, 2019
Meghan Mary O’Donnell-Swain Arlington, VA
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2022
Mary Mackenzie O’Hayer Tybee Island, GA
B.S., Georgia College and State University, 2021
Janelle C. Rogers Antioch, TN
B.S., University of the Pacific, 2020
Margarite Esperance Snodgrass Brentwood, TN
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University, 2022
Autumn Paige Staats Clarksville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
Annah G. Steadman Franklin, TN
B.S., University of North Alabama, 2021
Ivey Caroline Stewart Franklin, TN
B.S., Lipscomb University, 2022
Opulence Alexus Venton Greenville, MS
B.S., University of Mississippi, 2021
Yoliana M. Yousef Antioch, TN
B.S., Tennessee Technological University, 2019
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis, Dean
MASTER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Peter Scott Rouse Hendersonville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Dr. Rodney Stanley, Interim Dean
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT
Sarah Beth Glenn Spring Hill, TN
B.A., Trevecca Nazarene University, 2006
Gayle Denise Hicks Clarksville, TN
B.S., University Michigan, Dearborn, 2015
M.S., Austin Peay State University, 2021
NON PROFIT MANAGEMENT
Torrie Harris Springfield, TN
B.D.O., University of Phoenix, 2008
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Christopher Robert Alkhashti Loudon, TN
B.S., Bethel University-Tennessee, 2017
Amanda Armstrong Nashville, TN
B.A., Furman University, 2006
M.Ed., Vanderbilt University, 2014
Kumba Bayoh Franklin, TN
B.S., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2007
M.S., Regent University, 2018
Sonya LaJoyce Brown Nashville, TN
B.S., Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, 1987
Brooke A. Burchfield Winfield, TN
B.A., Lindsey Wilson College, 2008
Dina Duncan Nashville, TN
B.S., Bethel University-Tennessee, 2019
Bradley Keith Gabbert Crossville, TN
B.S., Tennessee Tech University, 2012
Rex Hammonds Memphis, TN
B.B.A., Christian Brothers University, 2011
Susan Hatley Memphis, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2020
Peter Robert Hazel Knoxville, TN
B.A., University Tennessee Knoxville, 2006
Marcela B. King Dreyer Kingston Springs, TN
B.F.A., O’More College of Design, 2005
Michael Mount Mt. Juliet, TN
B.S.B.A., Tennessee Technological University, 2002
M.A., University of Kansas, 2007
Tericka W. Sanders McCalla, AL
B.A., Birmingham Southern College, 2022
Michelle Anne Singleton Hermitage, TN
B.B.A., Austin Peay State University, 1997
Melanie Smith Trade, TN
B.A., Lees-McRae College, 2006
Todd William Staples Centerville, TN
B.S., Austin Peay State University, 2016
Rory Stutzman Martin, TN
B.B.A., University Tennessee, Martin, 2013
Candace Vaughn Clarksville, TN
B.S., King University, 2016
Jon Walton Goodlettsville, TN
B.A.S., Bethel University-Tennessee, 2018
Ashlee Wheeler Murfreesboro, TN
B.S., Troy State University-Troy, 2011
Logan Andrew Wilson Tiptonville, TN
B.A., University of Memphis, 2017
Kizzie C. Woods Bolivar, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2002
PUBLIC POLICY
Akaysha J. Bell Memphis, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
John H. Bledsoe Hermitage, TN
B.A., Samford University, 1995
J.D., University of Memphis, 1998
Ebony D. Cole Nashville, TN
M.A.T., Trevecca Nazarene University, 2013
Jeannie M. Hunter Madison, TN
B.A., Eckerd College, 2001
Anne M. McIntyre-Lahner Guilford, CT
B.A., Albertus Magnus College, 1982
M.S., Southern Connecticut State University, 1987
Andrew Webster Nash Hendersonville, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2014
M.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2016
India N. Reaves Winston Salem, NC
B.A. North Carolina Central University, 2007
Geneva Nash Triplett Southaven, MS
B.A., University of Memphis, 1996
Chandler Cavan Vidrine Baton Rouge, LA
B.S., Southern University A&M College, 2021
M.P.A., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 2022
MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
PROFESSIONAL
STUDIES
Brittney Rochelle Clark Nashville, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
Charity Cox Lebanon, TN
B.A., Trevecca Nazarene University, 2016
Regina Haynes Dickson, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2021
Anna Kristen Kilpatrick Linden, TN
B.B.A., University of Tennessee, Martin, 2010
Syed A. Raza Murfreesboro, TN
B.S., Plymouth State University, 2021
Kellea Brooke Reeves Nashville, TN
B.S., Austin Peay State University, 2008
Christopher Norman Wilhoit Chuckey, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1992
MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Nikanna L. Bell Chattanooga, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2022
Sonya LaJoyce Brown Nashville, TN
B.S., Arkansas State University-Jonesboro, 1987
David Stewart Carpenter Johnson City, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2007
Hannah Cathleen Crouse Nashville, TN
B.P.A., Berry College 2017
Sarah Beth Glenn Spring Hill, TN
B.A., Trevecca Nazarene University, 2006
Rex Hammonds Memphis, TN
B.B.A., Christian Brothers University, 2011
Jeannie M. Hunter Madison, TN
B.S., Eckerd College 2001
Christopher C. Jones Cottontown, TN
B.S., Tennessee State University, 2010
Ryan David Lindsay Heiskell, TN
B.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2014
Jayme A. McGrail Memphis, TN
B.A., Rhodes College, 2014
Justin Brandon Ramsey Blountville, TN
B.A., Bethel University, 2016
Devante C. Ray Gallatin, TN
B.S., Cumberland University, 2015
India N. Reaves Winston Salem, NC
B.A., North Carolina Central University, 2007
Victoria Ricci Hendersonville, TN
B.S., CUNY, John Jay College, Criminal Justice, 2015
Tericka W. Sanders McCalla, AL
B.A., Birmingham Southern College, 2022
Susan Paige Smithson Goodlettsville, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Martin, 1990
Matthew Swecker Greeneville, TN
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2007
Jonathan M. Swift Lawrenceburg, TN
B.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1998
Geneva Nash Triplett Southaven, MS
B.A., University of Memphis, 1996
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK SOCIAL WORK
Samuel Beckham Nashville, TN
B.S.W., Tennessee State University, 2023
Jessica Oliveira Townsend Nashville, TN
B.S., Williamson Christian College, 2022
The Tennessee State University Tiger Statue
Unveiled on October 23, 2020, during the homecoming festivities, the Tennessee State University Tiger Statue is a magnificent testament to the strength and pride of the TSU community. This specially commissioned bronze sculpture measures six feet in length and weighs an impressive 500 pounds. Positioned prominently in front of the Floyd-Payne Campus Center, the giant tiger statue stands mounted on a custom-made marble base that elevates it to nearly seven feet tall. This majestic figure serves as a guardian of the university’s entrance, proudly welcoming all who visit the “Land of Golden Sunshine.”
The creation of the Tiger Statue was a student-led initiative, embodying the spirit and dedication of the
TSU community. The unveiling ceremony brought together administrators, students, alumni, faculty, and staff, all of whom celebrated the significance of this monument. This statue is not just a work of art; it symbolizes the resilience, strength, and power of the Tiger—qualities that resonate deeply within the university.
As we look to the future, the Tiger Statue will stand as a proud representation of Tennessee State University for the next 100 years. Thousands of visitors are expected to gather in front of this magnificent statue, a constant reminder of what it means to be a TSU Tiger: determined, confident, and united in our pursuit of excellence, as we Think. Work. Serve.
We are the Tennessee State University Tigers!
Academic Honors
*Highest GPA ....................
A senior who has earned a grade point average of 4.0.
Summa Cum Laude ......... A senior who has earned a grade point average of 3.75 or above.
Magna Cum Laude
Cum Laude
A senior who has earned a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74.
A senior who has earned a grade point average of 3.25 to 3.49.
University Honors A senior who has earned a grade point average of 3.25 or above and has fulfilled other requirements of the University Honors College.
Candidates who have achieved honors in general scholarship are distinguished in procession by three-tassel gold braid cords. Those graduating with University Honors are distinguished by a gold satin stole with the Honors College lettering embroidered in blue. The gold is symbolic of the University Honors and general scholarshop. The Honors stoles are provided by the Honors College which represent the Honors distinction earned.
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Bronwen Adele Swann
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Mickayla D Common
Alia Dudley
Michayla Joelle George
Quiana Danielle Howard
Breanna Nicole Howe
Stemaiya D Robinson
Brittany Shedd
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Maya Peete
Paulena Maxine Young
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Jeffrey Michael Coursey
Cesar A Lopez
Kaitlyn Tracy Raven
Gregory C Roberts
Stephen Garrett Vaught
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Mallory Nichole Douglas
Jeffery Jackson
Nyla Neal
Daniel Christopher Shaw
Avery Smith
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Tsegaab Tesfaye Amare
Nuam Cing
Adaria Riann Ginn
Megan Alise Jones
Caleb Isaiah Joshway
Brooke A Moore
Lauren Pettis
Atiya M Robinson
Christian E Robinson
Tiauna T Tazewell
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
CUM LAUDE
Shaniya Harris
Desiree Candace Lyttle
Kariah Irie Moore
Fardosa A Osman
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Tenille Alyse Cochran
Gregory Hobbs
Ola Khlefat
Elise S Russ
Calvin Elijah Tussey
CUM LAUDE
Zahria C Austin
Trinity Michelle Brown
Austin H Cruse
Baron Jasper Hill
CUM LAUDE
Jhala L Beason
Kamaria A Childress
Caylin Micaiah Gaines
Keith Lamont Newsum
Makayla R Poole
Kiarra Rogers
Emmanuel Strickland
Alexis Jetta Sledge
Italia Camille Snyder
Jazmine Mona Walker
Janelle Wilson
CUM LAUDE
Oladipo David Abraham
Aviyon Collymore
Zackee Dosky
Jalaya Simone Hill
Kimberly Laporte
Aubrey Janiyah McKnight
Kubra Yigit
Ciera Katrice Wheeler
Michael Aaron Easie-Witter
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Sanaa Jasmine Drew
Lauryn A Hailey
Meseret Tiruneh Kibrte
Nastasia LaShay Marshall
Sarah J Swai
Tabia Talitha Williams
Chandler Reese Yow
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Adrienne Patricia Brown
Jadian Jahmeir Hayes
Jaslyn C Hillery
Tresanne Johnson
Sara Bilyeu Martin
Jazmine McElrath
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Garrett A Bland
D’neka A Cunningham
Copper P Daniel
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Marina Abdelnour
Tiffany Shantil Adams
Saif Farhan Alenazi
Mohammed Hassan Alyami
Kalijah Pierce Arrington
Tiana Jayden Sutton-Evans
Takirah Joi Hughes
Manar I Ibrahim
Shelby N Lewis
Kourtney D Nettles
Laila Nichols
Brianna Lee Shaw
Mona Siekpe
Attallah R Stout
Madisyn Danyel Wallace
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Rynia Dickerson
Diamond C Forrest
Jackson Foster
Bland Garrett
Nia Sierra Gonzo
Mhilton Raquel Johnson
Jamea Nicole Kollie
Nathan-Wanya Price
Charkia Summers
Blake Watkins
Hadiyah E White
CUM LAUDE
Kanise Ameerah Abdullah
TiNiah Abernathy
Khalid Saeed Alenezi
Jennifer Laine Ashley
Miracle J Carter
Kelsey Janee Gayden
Aaliyah Amileya Gray
Reona A Hannah
Shauna M Jackson
Nailah Jones
Rose Nguyen
Terrance Terrel Shaw
Aja A Tucker
Eyanni R Waterman
Kailen Larina White
CUM LAUDE
Brandon T Allen
Jayla Anderson
Nickcolus Dewayne Blakemore
Mayson C Harris
Gwendora H Pride
COLLEGE OF LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Tahirah Destiny Bennett
Cierra M Crump
Eseoghene Ivie Ogaga
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Laila Denae Armstrong
Crystal Magana Casillas
Madison Hilliard
Jazmyn S Wall
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC SERVICE
CUM LAUDE
Maya Christiana Cole
Jamila V Moore
Kennedy T Wilbert
Undergraduate Candidates for Degrees 2024 Fall Commencement
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
Maurie Antionne Anderson - Lithonia, GA
Trinity Michelle Brown - Cordova, TN
Morgan M Bryan - Eads, TN
Jahsun Bryant - Antioch, TN
Naudia T Clark - Nashville, TN
Austin H Cruse - Old Hickory, TN
Mallory Nichole Douglas - Bartlett, TN
Angelique D Hamilton - Memphis, TN
Baron Jasper Hill - Woodford, VA
Jeffery Jackson - Smyrna, GA
Nyla Neal - Hampton, GA
Daniel Christopher Shaw - Nashville, TN
Anyia Stanton Nashville, TN
Bronwen Adele Swann - Grand Bahamas, BS
Terrell Anthony Turner - Maplewood, MN
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE
Zahria C Austin - Lawrenceville, GA
Mariah Destine Nicholson - Florissant, MO
Aliya Symone Savage - Champaign, IL
Avery Smith - Madison, TN
Brena Darchell Stafford - Hendersonville,TN
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Dr. Stephen Shanklin, Interim Dean
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
ACCOUNTING
Tsegaab Tesfaye Amare - Antioch, TN
Nuam Cing - Nashville, TN
Danny Cowan - Antioch, TN
Breanna Nicole Howe - La Vergne, TN
Keith Lamont Newsum - Memphis, TN
Musa Sanneh - Seattle, WA
Brittany Shedd - Pegram, TN
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Jhala L Beason - Memphis, TN
Malik Raekwon Billingsley - Florissant, MO
Kamaria A Childress - Douglasville, GA
Mickayla D Common - Chattanooga, TN
Christopher George Crowell - Indianapolis, IN
Oryanna E Davis - Eads, TN
Tymeria Davis - Nashville, TN
Alia Dudley - Smyrna, TN
Jessmin Ja’nia Evans - Sharpsburg, NC
Joshua Ayomide Evans - Germantown, TN
Prince-William J Ford - Nashville, TN
Andrea Gail Fuqua - Nashville, TN
Kendall J Garland - Indianapolis, IN
Cameron Christian George - Harvest, AL
Michayla Joelle George - Nashville, TN
Adaria Riann Ginn - Chicago, IL
Quiana Danielle Howard - Clarksville, TN
Curtis E Johnson - Cincinnati, OH
Alexis O Kelton - Nashville, TN
E’myah Jule Kimbrough - Calumet City, IL
Alanna Denise Lee - Cordova, TN
Angel L Logan - Memphis, TN
Myles O Marks - Hoover, AL
Ayana Peterson - Millington, TN
Makayla R Poole - Memphis, TN
Atiya M Robinson - Fairfield Township, OH
Stemaiya D Robinson - Hayti, MO
Kiarra Rogers - Chattanooga, TN
Jalen Aaron Rouse - Richmond Hill, GA
Nasia Smith - Nashville, TN
Emmanuel Strickland - Memphis, TN
Tiauna T Tazewell - Ooltewah, TN
Yvette L Thomas - Goodlettsville, TN
Sandra Renay Walker - Brentwood, TN
Amariona Nicole Word - Memphis, TN
BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEM
Darrielle M Curry - Indianapolis, IN
Caylin Micaiah Gaines - Cumming, GA
Kanya Monet Guffie - Lithonia, GA
Ayanna Dena’ Harris - Nashville, TN
Megan Alise Jones - Memphis, TN
Brooke A Moore - Gallatin, TN
Kaleb Leondre Mosley - Montgomery, AL
Jesse E Neely III - Old Hickory, TN
Fatma Sharif - Antioch, TN
ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
Gerard Bullock - Mt Juliet, TN
Caleb Isaiah Joshway - Auburndale, FL
Kedrick L Malone - Collierville, TN
Antoinette Lynae Moore - Murfreesboro, TN
Lauren Pettis - Clarksville, TN
Christian E Robinson - Southfield, MI
Laketra T Wiggins-Jones - Charlotte, NC
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Dr. Janet Finch, Dean
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Jazmine Mona Walker - Riverdale, GA PSYCHOLOGY
Alexandria Alexander - Nashville, TN
Charron Allen - Nashville, TN
Saidia H Bell - Nashville, TN
Brasia Lanay Cook - Louisville, KY
Solomon Denzel Dunn - Johnson City, TN
Brandy R Galloway - Memphis, TN
Kayla Graham - Louisville, KY
Shaniya Harris - Atlanta, GA
Desiree Candace Lyttle - Tinley Park, IL
Reginald T McCollum - Jonesboro, GA
Jada Cierra Means - Indianapolis, IN
Kaiya Jenine Moore - Chattanooga, TN
Kariah Irie Moore - Cincinnati, OH
Daseana D Motley - Chattanooga, TN
Tiana Myers - DeRidder, LA
Fardosa A Osman - Nashville, TN
Maya Peete - Riverside, CA
Iyanni Yashaun Pryor - Aurora, IL
Felicia M Rhodes - Hermitage, TN
Destiny Samone Simmons - Fishers, IN
Alexis Jetta Sledge - Memphis, TN
Italia Camille Snyder - Knoxville, TN
Christopher Walker - Sanford, FL
Khalia Walker - Memphis, TN
Alexander Kenneth Watson - White House, TN
Janelle Wilson - Union City, GA
Paulena Maxine Young - Warrensville Heights, OH
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Dr. Lin Li, Interim Dean
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
AERONAUTICAL AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
Oladipo David Abraham - Chicago, IL
Michael Aaron Easie-Witter - Loganville, GA
Gregory C Roberts - Fayetteville, TN
Calvin Elijah Tussey - Murfreesboro, TN
Stephen Garrett Vaught - Watertown, TN
ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING
Marwa Safah Alhajaj - Nashville, TN
Tenille Alyse Cochran - Nashville, TN
Raven Makayla Clayton - Ellenwood, GA
Gregory Hobbs - Huntsville, AL
Jalaya Simone Hill - Charleston, WV
Ola Khlefat - Saudi Arabia
Aubrey Janiyah McKnight - Loganville, GA
Adrian Xavier Reddick - Greenville, SC
Verena T Souryal - Antioch, TN
Ciera Katrice Wheeler - Avon, IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Mohammed Naif Alshammari - Richmond, KY
Talal Alharbi - Mankato, MN
Eriny Awadalla - Franklin, TN
Enock Bunane - Antioch, TN
Shady A Hanna - La Vergne, TN
Kimberly Laporte - Antioch, TN
Camron R McKinney - South Euclid, OH
Kaitlyn Tracy Raven - Clarksville, TN
Elise S Russ - Nashville, TN
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Salmaan Ahmed - Nashville, TN
Collin L Posley - Kennesaw, GA
Jalen Lamarr Roberson - Indianapolis, IN
Ayaba Marie-Pierre Rodriguez - Missouri City, TX
Kubra Yigit - Goodlettsville, TN
Sulen K Zebari - Nashville, TN
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Mustafa M Alabdullah - Nashville, TN
Cesar A Lopez - Hendersonville, TN
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Markel C Belcher - Memphis, TN
Aviyon Collymore - Clarksville, TN
Jeffrey Michael Coursey - Nashville, TN
Zackee Dosky - Nashville, TN
Juan Daniel Cabrera Rosario - Forest Park, GA
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Dr. Ronald Barredo, Dean
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
CARDIORESPIRATORY CARE SCIENCE
Tiffany Shantil Adams - Lebanon, TN
Khalid Saeed Alenezi - Kissimmee, FL
Saif Farhan Alenazi - Kissimmee, FL
Mohammed Hassan Alyami - Nashville, TN
Meseret Tiruneh Kibrte - Antioch, TN
Sarah J Swai - White House, TN
DENTAL HYGIENE
Jennifer Laine Ashley - Nashville, TN
Manar I Ibrahim - Antioch, TN
Kamia Marne’t Isabell - Goodlettsville, TN
Rebeca Uscanga Ortiz - Murfreesboro, TN
Madisyn Danyel Wallace - Dover, TN
HEALTH CARE ADMINAND PLANNING
Camille Lasha Coombs - Jonesboro, GA
Sanaa Jasmine Drew - Hampton, GA
Lauryn A Hailey - Forrest City, AR
Tya M Humes - Murfreesboro, TN
Mariya C Wilson - Jefferson City, MO
Chandler Reese Yow - Wauwatosa, WI
Attallah R Stout - Antioch, TN
HEALTH SCIENCES
Marina Abdelnour - Antioch, TN
Mikaila Betty Coleman - Olive Branch, MS
Hazheen Amir Hassan - Nashville, TN
Takirah Joi Hughes - Conway, AR
Cynthia Latrice Perry - Indianapolis, IN
Nastasia LaShay Marshall - Memphis, TN
Morgen Miller - Nashville, TN
Taniyah D Lee - Fayetteville, GA
Shelby N Lewis - Stone Mountain, GA
Laila Nichols - Chicago, IL
Rose Nguyen - Brentwood, TN
Zion M McFadden - Ellenwood, GA
Kamaryn Jaila Robinson - Madison, AL
Tiana Jayden Sutton-Evans - Louisville, KY
Zion Elysse White - San Diego, CA
HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND SPORT SCIENCES
Terrell Allen - North Little Rock, AR
Kalijah Pierce Arrington - Fayetteville, GA
Anayah N Baker-Rowell - Nashville, TN
Timekos D Baker - Chattanooga, TN
Chandler B Davis - Nashville, TN
Devonte F Harris - Birmingham, AL
Donavan L Henderson - Murfreesboro, TN
Draylen Ellis - Olive Branch, MS
Aaliyah Amileya Gray - Chicago, IL
Aliya O Chambliss - Lansing, MI
Joshua A Floyd - Smyrna, TN
Fondren M Hollis III - Stone Mountain, GA
Brianna Lee Shaw - Nashville, TN
Terrance Terrel Shaw - Lufkin, TX
Shawn Cortez McColley - Harrison, TN
Justin R Smith - Memphis, TN
Austin I Simpson - Madison, TN
Tabia Talitha Williams - Eight Mile Rock, BS
Eyanni R Waterman - Houston, TX
Kourtney D Nettles - Moss Point, MS
Amari M Jelks - Nolensville, TN
NURSING
Aja A Tucker - Forrest City, AR
Emmanuel Iroh - Collierville, TN
Kanise Ameerah Abdullah - Nashville, TN
Kelsey Janee Gayden - Memphis, TN
Madisyn Michelle Dubose - Cincinnati, OH
Mona Siekpe - Nashville, TN
Nailah Jones - Canton, MI
Reona A Hannah - Jonesboro, AR
TiNiah Abernathy - Florissant, MO
PUBLIC HEALTH
April A Robinson - Mooresville, NC
Ayana N Nicholes - DeKalb, IL
Kailen Larina White - McDonough, GA
Le’Airius Jones - Chattanooga, TN
Measia Nicole Carnes - Hoover, AL
Miracle J Carter - Montgomery, AL
Nicole Brown - Antioch, TN
Shauna M Jackson - Wayne, MI
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Dr. Samantha Morgan–Curtis, Dean
BACHELOR OF ARTS
COMMUNICATION
Rynia Dickerson - Lakeland, TN
Bland Garrett - Tulsa, OK
Nathan-Wanya Price - Nashville, TN
Gwendora H Pride - Antioch, TN
ENGLISH
Nickcolus Dewayne Blakemore - Memphis, TN
Eleana M Stone - Nashville, TN
Hadiyah E White - Cincinnati, OH
Tori Christine Wilson-Richardson - Lansing, MI
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE ART
Matthew L Avery - Ellenwood, GA
Jada Camille Bell - Clinton, MD
Samaria Garcelle Jones - Hobart, IN
ARTS AND SCIENCES
Alexander Scott Brooks - Batesville, MS
Jackson Foster - Danville, CA
Nia Sierra Gonzo - Owensboro, KY
Kinyon Isiah Hodges - Cape Girardeau, MO
Briley Michelle Jenkins - Knoxville, TN
Mhilton Raquel Johnson - Cincinnati, OH
David Tyler Jones - Windermere, FL
Celestial Miller - Chandler, AZ
Mikus Ming - Hilton Head Island, SC
Antwone Parker - Memphis, TN
Alyssa N Robinson - Florissant, MO
James Spiller - Chicago, IL
Kenneth Eugene Stewart - Nashville, TN
Hadiya Imani Williams - Antioch, TN
Jollin M Young - Florissant, MO
COMMUNICATION
Alleyia Ivion Ashley - Madison, TN
Garrett A Bland - Tulsa, OK
Freddie Louis Calhoun - Nashville, TN
Maelesha J Cooper - Dayton, OH
Jasmin M Harper - Cincinnati, OH
Mya Harvey - Twinsburg, OH
Jadian Jahmeir Hayes - Cordova, TN
Jaslyn C Hillery - Lawrenceville, GA
Brandon James Huggins - Atlanta, GA
LaKendra R Johnson - Indianapolis, IN
Jon-Robert W Jones - Decatur, GA
Jamea Nicole Kollie - Farmington Hills, MI
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Jayla Anderson - Memphis, TN
Copper P Daniel - Madison, WI
Austin C Gresham - Lithonia, GA
Aliyah Holmes - Humble, TX
Claude Dewyane Mckinney - Memphis, TN
Jada Sharifah Riley - Chicago, IL
Novie Holliday - Carbondale, IL
Raniquae S Odom - Memphis, TN
A’nya Nicole Wiley - Indianapolis, IN
Jeffery Winston - Memphis, TN
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Aaliyah R Bernard - Memphis, TN
Christian J Robertson - Bolivar, TN
Onterreius Smith - Nashville, TN
Charkia Summers - Nashville, TN
Blake Watkins - Smyrna, TN
MUSIC
Brandon T Allen - Nashville, TN
Diamond C Forrest - Fairfield, CA
Mayson C Harris - Nashville, TN
Elijah C Jones - Memphis, TN
Joshua C Knox - Saint Clair Shores, MI
D’rell Player - Nashville, TN
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Devin K Adams - Nashville, TN
Adrienne Patricia Brown - Grand Prairie, TX
D’neka A Cunningham - Nashville, TN
Tamia S Robinson - Waterloo, IA
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Shalonzia Latrice Booker - Glendale Heights, IL
Ayana N Nicholes - DeKalb, IL
SOCIOLOGY
Sara Bilyeu Martin - Cookeville, TN
COLLEGE OF LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Dr. Nolan McMurray, Dean
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
BIOLOGY
Cierra M Crump - Louisville, KY
Crystal Magana Casillas - Tompkinsville, KY
Eseoghene Ivie Ogaga - Nashville, TN
Hawa Kaloko - Memphis, TN
Jamila V Moore - Laveen, AZ
Jazmyn S Wall - Detroit, MI
Johndylon T Jeffrey - Madison, AL
Kennedy T Wilbert - Memphis, TN
Kenyatta L Crawford - Nashville, TN
Laila Denae Armstrong - Olive Branch, MS
Madisen N Nixon - Bolingbrook, IL
Maya Christiana Cole - Auburn, GA
N’Kayla Chatoria Jones - Cape Girardeau, MO
Tahirah Destiny Bennett - Richmond, VA
Zaria Chase Foster - Forest Park, GA
CHEMISTRY
Nia Janae Ellison - Birmingham, AL
Tahmadiyya Dawson - Alexander, AR
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
Jeff K Fitih - Madison, TN
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Dr. Rodney Stanley, Interim Dean
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
SOCIAL WORK
Maya Destiny Sanders - Bangladesh, BD
Tawon Wallace - Clarksville, TN
URBAN STUDIES
Adrienne Patricia Brown - Grand Prairie, TX
Donna Ann Crossford - Memphis, TN
Sharon Goodman - Clarksville, TN
Stephanie Montenegro Hernandez - Madison, TN
Mary Ellen Peden - Nashville, TN
Tamia S Robinson - Waterloo, IA
Tennessee State University Board of Trustees
Ms. Dakasha Winton Chairman
Mr. Charles A. Traughber, esq Vice Chairman
Ms. Trevia Chatman
Dr. Jeffery Norfleet
Dr. Marquita Qualls
Ms. Dimeta Smith Knight
Ms. Terica N. Smith
Mr. Dwayne Tucker
Dr. Artenzia Young-Siegler Faculty Trustee
Tyler Vazquez Student Trustee
Executive Officers
Dr. Ronald A. Johnson President
Dr. Robbie Melton Interim Provost & Vice President, Academic Affairs Vice President for Technology Innovation Strategies
Dr. Darrel Burnette Senior Advisor & Executive Vice President
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Bridgette Golman Interim Vice President, Student Affairs
Dr. Arlene M. Nicholas-Phillips Interim Chief of Staff
Ms. Kelli Sharpe Associate Vice President, Public Relations & Communications
Mr. Darryl D. Thompson Special Advisor to the President
Dr. Lolita Toney Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Dr. Quincy Quick Associate Vice President & Chief Research Officer for Research and Sponsored Programs
Attorney Laurence Pendleton General Counsel & Secretary, Board of Trustees
Dr. Michael Allen Director, University Athletics
Dr. J. Lin Dawson Special Advisor for Assessment and Planning Chief Gregory Robinson Assistant Vice President and Chief of Police
University Deans
Dr. Chandra Reddy Dean - College of Agriculture
Dr. Muhammed Miah Interim Dean - College of Business
Dr. Janet Finch Dean - College of Education
Dr. Lin Li Interim Dean - College of Engineering
Dr. Ronald Barredo Dean - College of Health Sciences
Dr. Samantha Morgan-Curtis Dean - College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Nolan McMurray Jr. Dean - College of Life & Physical Sciences
Dr. Rodney Stanley Interim Dean - College of Public Service
Dr. Trinetia Respress Interim Dean - School of Graduate Studies
Ms. Glenda Alvin Dean - Libraries & Media Center
Dr. Coreen Jackson Dean – University Honors College
Notable Alumni of Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University graduates become local, regional, national, and international leaders:
Ralph Boston, Chandra Cheeseborough, Barbara Jones-Slater, Edith McGuire-Duvall, Wilma Rudolph, and Wyomia Tyus, Olympic gold medalists.
Dr. T. B. Boyd III, former president and chief executive officer, R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation.
Xernona Clayton, retired vice president for urban affairs with Turner Broadcasting/CNN and founder/CEO of the Trumpet Awards.
Dr. Deborah A. Cole, former president and chief executive officer of Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Co.
Honorable Judge Curtis Collier, a senior United States District judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee who was nominated by former President Bill Clinton.
S. Allen Counter, explorer and Harvard neurophysiologist.
Robert Covington An American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) who was also named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
Honorable Judge Angela M. Cox, At the age of 32 years old she was the youngest Judge appointed by Governor Jeb Bush. Currently she serves as a Circuit Judge for the Clay County Clerk of Court in Florida.
Dr. Alvin H. Crawford an Orthopaedic surgeon and retired Captain in the U. S. Navy, Dr. Crawford was the first African American to graduate from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and the first African American member of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America.
Richard Dent, the first TSU alumnus to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Honorable Myra Hudson Dixon, Chief Judge of the Fulton County State Court (Atlanta, GA)
Congressman Harold E. Ford, Sr., the first AfricanAmerican to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Congress.
Howard Gentry, Jr., an American politician who currently serves as the Criminal Court Clerk of Davidson County Metropolitan Government of Nashville. He was the first African American Constitutional Officer and former Director of Athletics for Tennessee State University.
Joe Gilliam, Jr. Was a professional football player, a quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL) and was the first African American quarterback to start a season opener after the American Football League (AFL)-NFL merger in 1970.
State Senator Brenda Gilmore, Senator for the 19th District in the Tennessee General Assembly since 2019; former member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, 54th District; Served on the Nashville Metro Council from the 1st District from 1993-2003.
Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, first female president of Tennessee State University, and one of only two AfricanAmerican women to hold the Ph.D.-CPA-JD combination in the nation.
Moses Gunn, renowned actor who in 1977 received an Emmy nomination for his appearance as tribal chieftain Kintango in the ground-breaking miniseries, Roots; Founder of the Negro Ensemble and received several Obie Awards for his off-Broadway work.
State Senator Thelma Harper, Retired Senator for the 19th District in the Tennessee General Assembly since 1991-2018. Her political career has led to the position of delegate for the 1980, 1984, 1988 and 1992 Democratic National Conventions.
Claude B. Humphrey, a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles. He is a 2014 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Dr. Bobby Jones, executive producer of the Bobby Jones Gospel Show and Ambassador-at-large of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones, retired American NFL Football Player spent 15 years with the Dallas Cowboys from 19741978 and again from 1980-1989.
Harvey Johnson, the first African-American mayor of Jackson, Mississippi.
Dr. Richard Lewis, an entrepreneur and president of Lewis & Wright Funeral Home in Nashville, as well as chief financial officer of the AME Church.
Notable Alumni of Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University graduates become local, regional, national, and international leaders:
Valerie Love, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, North America for the Coca-Cola Company she also serves as the Chair of the TSU Foundation Board, a Board Trustee at Clark Atlanta University, a member of the Board of Directors at Kimball International and on the NASCAR Diversity Council.
State Representative Harold M. Love, Jr., Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, 58th District; Pastor of Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church.
Obie L. McKenzie, retired managing director at BlackRock in the Account Management Group, one of the largest publicly traded investment firms in the United States. He ranks among the Top 10 African-Americans on Wall Street.
Dr. Edith Peterson Mitchell, former President of the National Medical Association and Clinical Professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.
Lloyd W. “Fig” Newton, 4-star general, retired as highest ranking African-American in the Air Force.
Amos Otis, Retired U.S. Air Force Officer, Founder, President and Chairman of the Board for SoBran, Incorporated and Former TSU Foundation Board Chairman.
Clarice Phelps, an American nuclear chemist who was the first Black woman to help discover a new element in the periodic table-Tennessine (Ts).
Dominique Rogers-Cromartie An American professional football cornerback who was the first round draft pick for the Arizona Cardinals, played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 years and selected twice to play in the Pro Bowl in the years 2009 and 2015.
Jesse Russell, an American inventor, a pioneer in the field of cellular and wireless communications. In 1988, he led the first team from Bell Laboratories to introduce digital cellular technology in the United States.
Shannon Sanders, music producer and a three-time GRAMMY, two-time Emmy, and Dove Award-winning songwriter/producer. He founded and served as Program Director of Nashville’s 102.1 The VILLE, a radio station dedicated to classic soul, R&B, and local artists.
Terica Smith, Assistant District Attorney who serves as Deputy Mayor and Director of Human Resources for Madison County.
Dr. Catana Starks, former faculty member and department chair, was the first female head coach of an NCAA Division I men’s golf team, and coached the team to the National Minority Golf Championship in 2005. Starks story has been captured and shared with the world in the feature film, From the Rough.
Coach Ed Temple was the Head Women’s Track and Field Coach from 1950 to 1994 at Tennessee State University. Under his coaching the legendary Tigerbelles won 23 Olympic medals. In all he led more than 40 athletes to the Olympics and his athletes also accumulated more than 30 national titles.
Carla Venita Thomas, an American singer, who is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Memphis Soul.’
Dr. Maria Thompson, former president, Coppin State University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., obtained worldwide recognition for implanting the first defibrillator for the heart; former associate dean and cardiac surgeon at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
A.C. Wharton, former mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, and former mayor of Shelby County (TN) – first AfricanAmerican to serve.
Kevin Williams, immediate past president and managing director of General Motors Canadian operations; a TSU Foundation Board of Trustees member.
Oprah Winfrey, owner of Oprah Winfrey Network, Talk Show Host, Television Producer, Philanthropist, and Actress.
Brenda Wynn, Davidson County Clerk, first AfricanAmerican female to win an election to a constitutional office in the county.
Accreditation and Affiliations
Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate, Baccalaureate, Master’s, Specialist in Education, and Doctoral degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Tennessee State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.
In addition, the following list of programs with programmatic accreditation support the high quality education available on the TSU campuses.
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Family and Consumer Sciences (B.S). American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetic (ACEND).
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Business (B.B.A., M.B.A.). Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Education (B.S., M.S., M.A.Ed., Ed.S. Ed.D). Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Psychology (Ph.D.). American Psychological Association (APA).
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Applied and Industrial Technologies (B.S.). Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).
Architectural, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering (BS). Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET).
Computer Science (B.S.). Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology/Computing Accreditation Commission (ABET/CAC).
Aeronautical & Industrial Technology, Architectural & Mechanical Engineering, Civil & Environmental.
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Cardio-Respiratory Care Sciences (B.S). Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Dental Hygiene (A.A.S.). Commission on Dental Accreditation (COD).
Health Care Administration and Planning (B.S.). Association of University Programs in Health Administration)
Health Information Management (B.S.). Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics & Information Management)
Human Performance and Sport Sciences (B.S., MA.Ed.). Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Nursing ( B.S. M.S.). Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.). Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Physical Therapy (D.P.T.). Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Public Health (B.S., M.P.H.). Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Speech and Hearing Sciences (M.S.). Council of Academic Accreditation of the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association.
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
Art (B.S.). National Association of Schools of Art & Design. (NASAD).
Arts and Sciences (B.S.). Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Music (B.A.: National Association of Schools of Music)
COLLEGE OF LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Chemistry (B.S.). American Chemical Society (ACS).
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Public Administration (M.P.A.). Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.
Social Work (B.S.W., M.S.W.). Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Social Work (B.S.: The Council on Social Work Education).
College of Agriculture
The College of Agriculture houses five academic departments, the Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, and a Cooperative Extension Program. Through these significant entities, the College fulfills the tripartite mission of the land-grant system –teaching, research, and Extension. Teaching programs are conducted through the five academic departments with the help of research and Extension-funded faculty scientists with tenure/tenure track status in their respective departments. The College provides exemplary, traditional classroom instruction and cutting-edge experiential and service-learning opportunities to its undergraduate and graduate students.
TSUAg offers a B.S. in Agricultural Sciences with concentrations in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, Biotechnology, Food and Animal Science, and Environmental Science. TSUAg also provides a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences with concentrations in Child Development and Family Studies, Consumer Sciences Education, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Fashion Merchandising and Product Development, and Food Service Management. The College’s graduate program includes four M.S. degrees in Agricultural Business and Leadership, Agricultural Sciences, Food and Animal Sciences, and Environmental Science, along with one Ph.D. program in Agricultural Sciences.
TSUAg conducts research in 34 state-of-the-art research laboratories on the Tennessee State University Agricultural Complex, and the three outlying Agricultural Research and Education Centers. Our research caliber is nationallyknown as our faculty members continue to excel in winning competitive research grants from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the National Science Foundation.
Extension programs are conducted in 60 of the 95 Tennessee counties with Extension agents jointly funded by county, state, and federal governments. We also have Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in seven counties. Our Extension program, conducted jointly with the University of Tennessee’s Extension program, is one of the largest county operations among 1890 institutions. This partnership between the state’s two land-grant institutions is a model for the country. During the academic year 2022-23, TSU Extension agents and Extension faculty/specialists made 557,430 educational contacts with Tennessee residents through group educational meetings, on-site visits, personal correspondence, and field days. They also reached 3.5 million Tennessee residents through mass media outreach with academic information.
Recent College accomplishments include:
• Agricultural enrollment has more than doubled, while graduate student enrollment has increased eight-fold.
• In 2023, the College of Agriculture published 124 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Of these publications, 31 had students as senior authors, and 93 were faculty publications. The College made 246 presentations at professional meetings, of which 127 were made by student presenters and 119 by faculty presenters. Faculty published 115 Extension, outreach, popular press articles, or other items.
• During the 2022-2023 Academic Year, the College obtained 69 competitive grants totaling $47,440,090.
• The Dean’s Scholars Program and pre-college summer apprenticeship programs continue to attract highly qualified students. The College’s educational programs help educate minorities in STEM fields and offer preprofessional medical, dental, and veterinary medicine programs.
College of Business
Tennessee State University’s College of Business was the first business school in Nashville to earn dual accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the most prestigious accrediting body for business schools. The College of Business earned its initial accreditation from AACSB in 1994. Such achievement resulted in Tennessee State University becoming the first university in Nashville and the first public Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the country to gain dual accreditation at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The TSU College of Business has maintained this prestigious achievement and recognition continuously with its latest AACSB official reaffirmation in 2024.
• The College of Business offers Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programs to undergraduates in Accounting, Business Administration, Business Information Systems, and Economics and Finance. Concentrations are also available in Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Management, Human Resource Management, Hospitality, Business Information Systems Industry, and e-Business Technology. Additionally, the College offers minors in General Business, Entrepreneurship, and International Business. At the graduate level, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) is offered with concentrations in Accounting, Management of Information Systems, Healthcare Economics and Management, and Supply Chain Management. The College of Business has approximately 1,100 students currently enrolled in both the undergraduate and graduate programs of study.
• The university’s innovative Executive MBA program is helping to make Nashville even more competitive when it comes to business leadership. The 12-month program is delivered in a hybrid format consisting of both in-person and online course offerings. Program participants also have the opportunity to spend 10 days studying outside the United States to broaden their understanding of global leadership. This format is in addition to a fully online version of our MBA, as well as the full-time and part-time options of our legacy MBA program.
• To increase student opportunities for global business and cultural awareness, CoB students may participate in numerous study abroad programs that include Japan, France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and the Great European capitals. These are available to both Bachelors and Masters degree students in the college.
• The College successfully recruited two distinguished faculty members to hold the Frist Chair of Excellence in Business with a focus in Accounting and the Chair of Excellence in Banking and Financial Services. The College is continuing its efforts to raise funds for a third Chair of Excellence in Supply Chain Management.
• The College of Business has established alliances with a long list of community organizations that provide resources earmarked for internships and scholarships, business industry needs assessments, and recommendations for continuous curriculum improvements. The CoB community partners include: Corning, Dell, Boeing, HCA, Lexmark, Ernst & Young, Asurion, Regions Bank, Nissan, LKQ Corporation, Fifth/Third Financial, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, & Forvis, CPAs, just to name a few.
• The Financial Trading Room at the Avon Williams location is a state of the art facility designed to give students hands-on training and knowledge regarding the stock market and trading. This facility is fully equipped with access by Bloomberg terminal the latest real-time data to provide faculty and students access to the world’s financial markets for instruction.
College of Education
The College of Education, in the spirit of excellence, prepares students to be professionals in colleges, schools and communities by fostering the development of critical thinking, technological skills, diversity competency, scholarly research, and a life-long commitment to service. Reflecting the historical purpose of the Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School—now Tennessee State University—the College is dedicated to producing competent and caring teachers, leaders, and other community servants through its programs in the departments of Educational Leadership, Psychology, and Teaching and Learning. All three departments exemplify the excellence for which TSU stands by demonstrating best practices in teaching, conducting first-class research, and selflessly serving the community. The College is distinguished by several grants, awards, and special programs including the following:
• Eleven Grow-Your-Own grants from the Tennessee Department of Education to prepare teachers with dual certifications across 25 school districts
• The Global Student Support Services Lab (GSSL) funded by a Gracie grant, which provides academic support to both undergraduate and graduate students
• A Registered Apprenticeship Program with the Department of Labor
• NASA Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) grant, a collaborative effort between Tennessee State University, NASA, and MNPS
Further distinguishing itself, the College boasts:
• TSU’s Educator Preparation Program (EPP) is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
• TSU’s EPP continues to be one of the most prolific producers of teachers for the Metro-Nashville Public Schools.
• TSU is ranked #1 among HBCUs nationally in producing the most educators.
• TSU’s national award-winning Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology is one of only two HBCUs accredited by the American Psychological Association.
• The Counseling Psychology program’s excellence in the recruitment, retention, and graduation of minority students earned the department the prestigious national Sumo Minority Achievement Award.
• The Department of Educational Leadership in partnership with the Center for Strategic Leadership and Organizational Coherence was awarded a three (3) year SEED (Supporting Effective Educator Development) grant from the Federal Government.
Honor Societies
• Psi Chi International Honor Society—a college student honor society in psychology
• Kappa Delta Pi—the largest honor society in education
Professional Organizations
• University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA)
• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Association of Black Psychologists (ABPSI)
College of Engineering
The College of Engineering is challenged and committed to providing the highest quality industry-driven curricula in Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science. As a premier educational institution that promotes innovation in instruction, research, and service, the college strives to educate and inspire every student to think critically, engage in lifelong learning, and transfer knowledge within the profession.
• The College offers Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Applied & Industrial Technologies with concentrations and/or minors in manufacturing, computer engineering, aviation management, mechatronics, data science, cybersecurity and networking, construction management, and bioinformatics. The four-engineering program and CS program are ABET accredited. The AIT program is ATMAE accredited.
• The College offers Master of Engineering (M.E.) degrees in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, each with various concentrations. As well as Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in Computer Science, Computer & Information Systems Engineering, and Data Science (Online Program). The college also offers a terminal degree, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Engineering & Computational Sciences.
• State-of-the-art research initiatives in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced materials, renewable energy, robotics, manufacturing, environmental issues, cyber-security, signal/image processing, and workforce development, complement the student’s learning experiences. The TIGER Institute (TSU Interdisciplinary Graduate Engineering Research) serves as the primary entity to collaborate and partner with industry and government, complemented by research centers in specific areas of scientific investigation.
• As the leading producer of African American engineers in the state of Tennessee, the college continues to strengthen its partnerships with the community, as well as local, regional, and national corporations and government agencies. Producing a diverse population of graduates has prepared quality students for employment with companies such as Amazon, Google, Apple, Boeing, Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA), IBM, General Motors, Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Proctor and Gamble, Turner Construction, Honda, Gresham Smith, Southern Company, Nashville Electric Services, Tennessee Valley Authorities, U.S. Navy, Air Force, etc.
College of Health Sciences
The College of Health Sciences at Tennessee State University offers programs ranging from the Associate to Doctoral degrees. Some unique aspects of the College are:
• The College offers 3 in-house clinics that serve the public at low or no cost: the Dental Hygiene, the Speech & Language, and the Tiger Community Rehab Clinic.
• The Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in both traditional and distance education formats. The online graduate program in Speech & Hearing holds the distinction of being the first distance education program at TSU, as well as the first distance education program in the area of SpeechLanguage Pathology in the State of Tennessee.
• The School of Nursing offers both undergraduate (BSN) and graduate (MSN) degrees in both traditional and online formats to promote entry into initial and advanced practice nursing professions. For the 2022 calendar year, the BSN program had a 100% NCLEX pass rate and they also have a 100% pass rate for 2023.
• The Physical Therapy Program has a partnership with LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) program with Vanderbilt University. The two-year aggregate pass rate of DPT graduates for the classes of 2020 and 2021 is 98.55%.
• The Occupational Therapy program received ten-year accreditation through ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupation Therapy Education).
• The Department of Public Health, Health Administration, and Health Sciences offers three undergraduate degrees (Public Health, Health Care Administration and Planning, Health Sciences), one graduate degree (Master of Public Health), the Ph.D. is currently under development, and two graduate certificates (Public Health and Health Care Administration).
• The Cardiorespiratory Care program has an overall employer satisfaction of 100%.
• The Health Information Management program has an overall 95% retention rate of students accepted junior/ professional level class and over 90% job placement. The program also offers a minor in HIM.
• HPSS was awarded a transformational 5-year Title III grant to renovate/develop state-of-the-art classrooms and two applied physiology labs.
• All accreditable programs are fully accredited.
College of Liberal Arts
The College of Liberal Arts offers courses and programs in the creative arts, humanities, and social sciences, preparing students for a wide range of graduate and professional opportunities. Our distinguished faculty are not only educators but also active professionals in their fields who bring real-world experience into the classroom. The slogan of the College of Liberal Arts – “Building Your Foundation for Excellence!” – expresses our commitment to student success throughout and beyond their experience at the University.
Academic Programs
The College of Liberal Arts provides much of the University’s General Education program and offers eleven undergraduate majors and one master’s degree program.
• Art (B.S.)
• Communication (B.A. and B.S.)
• Criminal Justice (B.S. and M.C.J.)
• English (B.A.)
• History (B.A. and B.S.)
• Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.)
• Multidisciplinary Studies (B.S.)
• Music (B.S.)
• Political Science (B.S.)
• Professional Studies (B.S.)
• Sociology (B.S.)
The College’s Department of Communications has received $150,000 from the Comcast Corporation and NBCUniversal News Group to support the education of future media professionals.
Our Commercial Music program, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, was recognized in 2023 by Billboard magazine in its international list of top programs.
The College also offers minors in most of its major disciplines as well as Africana Studies, Design, French, International Affairs, Philosophy, Spanish, and Women’s Studies.
Student Organizations and Activities
In association with our academic programs, the College of Liberal Arts supports a rich variety of co-curricular activities for students in our majors and throughout the University. Our Moot Court Team, Forensics Team, and HCASC Team have all won awards in recent years, with the Forensics Team consistently winning multiple awards in both state-level and national competitions. Other student organizations in the College include the Soul Fire Spoken Word and Poetry Club, Model United Nations, and a Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL) delegation.
Events
The College continuously enriches the intellectual and cultural life of the University through lectures, academic conferences, art exhibitions, music and theater performances, and other events. Lectures and conferences in 2023–2024 have included the ongoing Samual Shannon Distinguished Lecture Series, the 43rd annual Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture (co-hosted with the Metropolitan Nashville Historical Commission), our 10th annual Africa Conference, and our Research Forum for the Arts featuring student scholarship in the creative arts. The College’s Department of Music and our Theatre and Dance program offer a full calendar of concerts, plays, and other performances each year. In addition to its regular calendar of exhibitions, our Department of Art and Design hosted the national “State of Black Design” conference in Spring 2024 which included extensive networking opportunities for current students and recent graduates in Graphic Design and associated fields.
The College of Liberal Arts helps prepare students to Think, Work, Serve in the classroom and around the globe.
College of Life and Physical Sciences
The College of Life and Physical Sciences offers research opportunities and instruction in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Mathematical Sciences. A specific goal of the College is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities entering these fields. The College is also home to the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute.
Department of Biological Sciences (Dr. Artenzia Young-Seigler, Chair)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)–General Biology
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)–Cell and Molecular Biology
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)–Biology with Teacher Certification (Grades 7-12)
Master of Science (M.S.)–Biology
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)–Biological Sciences
Department of Chemistry (Dr. Joshua Moore, Interim Chair)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)–Professional Chemistry-ACS Approved
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)–Biochemistry
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)–Chemistry with Teacher Certification (Grades 7-12)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)–Chemistry
Master of Science (M.S.)–Professional Chemistry
Master of Science (M.S.)–Biochemistry
Graduate Certificate–Biochemistry
Department of Mathematical Sciences (Dr. Michael Reed, Chair)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)–Mathematical Sciences
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)–Mathematical Sciences with Teacher Certification (Grades 7-12)
Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute (Mrs. Barbara Murrell, Chair)
The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Meharry Medical College/TSU Accelerated Pathway Program
The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Healthcare Scholars Accelerated Pathway Program
The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Society
The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Lecture Series
The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
College of Public Service
The College of Public Service became operational January 2008 with the appointment and arrival of the founding dean, former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell. The new College fulfilled the Geier Consent Decree of 1984 and from the Institute of Government has expanded to include the Department of Public Administration and the Department Social Work and Urban Professions. The intent of the Consent Decree was to establish a division that would address the workforce needs of the city and state in the various areas of government and public service.
The mission of the College is to educate, socialize and serve students and employers of nonprofit, health, and urban organizations by the following degrees and certificates:
• B.S. in Urban Studies, and B.S. in Social Work. Two undergraduate minors in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Master’s in Social Work, Master’s in Public Administration (NASPAA Accredited) Ph.D. in Public Administration, Online Master of Professional Studies, Certificate in Non-Profit Management, Graduate Certificate in Public Policy, Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management, Graduate Certificate in Public Administration Executive Leadership.
• Where are Public Service graduates? The Tennessee Department of Labor, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, Juvenile Justice Centers, serving in Student Professional Development, as elected officials, in social services in cities throughout Tennessee, the Tennessee Division of Intellectual Disabilities, the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Tennessee Department of Corrections, the Board of Regents, State Legislators, the Department of Internal Revenue, Community health centers, Hospice, Veterans Administrations hospitals, Advocacy organizations, Programs and Community Development Agencies, Local, state and federal government Associations, and may more.
• Accrediting bodies include: CSWE (Council on social Work Education) NASPAA (Public Administration).
• Certificates include: The Graduate Certificate in Public Administration Executive Leadership (known as Command College) was designed to equip public professionals with skills to lead in a changing public environment. The Command College participants come from several agencies within the State of Tennessee. The Professional Management Academy is a partnership with the Department of Correction and Homeland Security where employee can take six classes to earn a certificate and apply those courses toward a four-year degree.
• National Honor Societies include: Phi Alpha (Social Work), Pi Alpha Alpha (Public Administration) and Upsilon Sigma (Urban Studies).
School of Graduate Studies
TSU School of Graduate Studies Celebrates “80 Years” of Conferring Degrees
The Tennessee General Assembly authorized the state Board of Education to establish graduate studies leading to the master’s degree in several fields at Tennessee State University (then called Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial A & I State College in 1941. In 1944, the first student to earn a master’s degree from Tennessee A & I State College was Margaret Williams Wheeler. She earned her degree in Business Education. Today, Tennessee State University celebrates “80 years” of conferring degrees. The School of Graduate Studies now offers eight doctoral degrees, 32 master’s degrees, one educational specialist degree and 13 graduate certificate programs.
• During Spring 2024 commencement, the School of Graduate Studies will confer 213 certificates, master’s degrees, education specialist degrees, and doctoral degrees.
• In fiscal year 2023-2024, the School of Graduate Studies and Research, in collaboration with various units on campus, awarded more than 243 graduate assistantships to qualified graduate students totaling approximately $2.5 million.
• The School of Graduate Studies awarded Presidential Scholarships to incoming graduate students totaling $157,963.00.
• The School of Graduate Studies provided financial and academic support to two doctoral students through the Tennessee Doctoral Scholars program totaling $41,250. The Tennessee Doctoral Scholars program is designed to increase the number of minority students who earn a Ph.D. in Tennessee and to encourage these graduates to seek faculty positions.
Division of Research and Sponsored Programs
Tennessee State University is the only comprehensive research-intensive R2 Carnegie designated HBCU in the state of Tennessee and has achieved a significant milestone in research funding. This past fiscal year, we set a new historic high in the amount of grant awards received totaling $100,031,083, surpassing all previous records in our history. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, and students who have been instrumental in securing grant awards, such as Dr. John Ricketts in the College of Agriculture who received an $18 million award from the USDA-NIFA entitled, “NEXTGENeration Inclusion Consortium for Building the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences Pipeline (FANHP)” to establish an inclusive consortium of institutions to build and sustain the future of the workforce in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
Research and Sponsored Programs is committed to providing the best possible resources and opportunities for research and discovery. To that end, the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs recently established the Center of Biomedical Sciences with a $5 million dollar award procured from the Department of Education that will assist with strengthening overall institutional research capacities and capabilities in biomedical sciences research. This broadens our research infrastructure along with the following centers housed in the Division of Research and Sponsored programs:
• Center for Prevent Research
• Center of Information Systems and Engineering Management
• Small Business Development Center
• Center of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
• Center of Excellence in Learning Sciences
• T.I.G.E.R Institute
Tennessee State University research capacities and capabilities are further strengthened by partnerships with the following federal agencies and industry partners (National Science Foundation-National Institutes of Health-Department of Energy-Department of Defense-Apple-Boeing-AmazonMicrosoft-Google). The research enterprise at Tennessee State University is:
T-ransformative
I -nnovative and impactful
G-ame changing
E-xemplary
R-evolutionary
TSU Libraries and Media Centers
The TSU Libraries and Media Centers are available to support the research needs of the faculty, staff, and students. Our mission is to support the curriculum taught at the university. We strive to deliver current services and resources that facilitate and enhance the teaching and learning process.
The Martha Brown- Lois Daniel Library on the main campus houses nearly 200,000 print books and provides access to over 300,000 e-books. Over 300 databases and information websites are available on the Databases page. The discovery platform provides integrated access to online and print periodicals and books, as well as streaming videos, government documents, and institutional repository content. Digital Scholarship@TSU, contains open-access articles published by TSU faculty and students, along with digitized content about the university’s history, such as yearbooks, theses, dissertations, commencements, conferences, athletics, student newspapers, and biographical profiles of noted alumni.
Each academic major has a research guide specific to the key topics in their discipline. There are over eighty Lenovo computer workstations available throughout the three floors with networked printers. Relaxation Stations with puzzles and coloring tools are available for managing stress.
On the first floor, the Access Services area offers reserve materials, including textbooks. It has Chromebooks, scientific calculators, iPads, and headsets available for lending to students, staff, and faculty.
The second floor houses the Multimedia Learning Commons, which supports collaborative projects with eight iMacs, linked to network printers. Students have access to scanners and color printers. The seven study rooms are very popular and available by reservation only. Five are huddle spaces with monitors for collaborative projects. The MakerSpace offers weekly workshops on laser etching, photography, graphic design, videography, animation, 3D printing, sewing, photogrammetry, and other topics throughout the semester.
The Avon Williams Library located at the Off-Campus Instructional Site serves the College of Business, the College of Public Service, The Graduate School, and the Speech Pathology and Audiology Department as well as some health sciences programs. It is located on the lower level of the facility and has over twenty-four computer workstations, including an iMac, and a color printer. It has five new study pods and a laptop bar as well as two study rooms and a huddle space.
There are Media Centers on each site that feature services such as podcasting, streaming videos, and classroom instructional media. They loan cameras, camcorders, microphones, tripods, and other audiovisual items.
University Honors College
The University Honors College began 60 years ago when Dr. Walter S. Davis, who was the second President of Tennessee State University (TSU), appointed a committee that was charged with the responsibility of studying honors programs and de¬termining the feasibility of establishing one at the University. After completing the investigation, the committee recommended that TSU keep pace with many other universities throughout the country. As a result, an Honors Program for freshman students was started in the fall semester of 1964. Sopho-more through senior level course work was added annually throughout 1968, which marks the year of the first student to graduate with “University Honors,” a distinction reserved for students who have successfully completed the requirements of the University Honors College (UHC).
Dr. McDonald Williams became director of the Honors Program at TSU in 1966 and held that position until his retirement in 1988. Dr. Joan Elliot served as interim director from 1988 to 1990, Dr. Mayibuye Monanabela served as director from 1990 to 1992, and Dr. Sandra Holt from 1992 to 2013. The current dean, Dr. Coreen Jackson, was appointed by Tennessee State University President, Dr. Glenda Glover, in 2013.
It was the desire of President Glover and the administra¬tors to implement the goal of the Academic Master Plan 2008-2028 that enhanced the Honors Pro¬gram and transitioned it into an Honors College. On January 5, 2016, the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Tennessee Higher Education Committee approved the elevation of the Honors Program to an Honors College. Currently, the Honors College has an enrollment of 866 multi-disciplinary high achieving students.
The mission of the University Honors College (UHC) is to prepare and support students as scholars and leaders to excel in a global society through academic support services, integrated service, career preparation, and scholarly research. The UHC provides an especially rich and challenging set of academic offerings to talented and highly motivated students in Engineering, Business, Health Sciences, Life & Physical Sciences, Liberal Arts, Agriculture, Education, and Public and Urban Studies at Tennessee State University. Through special Honors courses designated from each of the 8 colleges, a vigorous intellectual community, undergraduate research, study abroad, high-impact and experiential learning, the Honors College enables students to reach heights of excellence.
The University Honors graduates have distinguished themselves by successfully completing all the Honors course requirements and maintained a GPA of 3.25 and higher. These honors graduates have earned the “University Honors” distinction and are distinguished by the Honors College gold stoles worn over their graduation gowns. We congratulate them on their achievements and their acceptance into medical, law, graduate, and professional schools, and career opportunities.
For admission into the Honors College, entering freshmen must have a high school cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 or higher, with an ACT score of 25 or an SAT score of 1220. Transfer or current freshman and sophomore students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher. Interested students must complete an Application for Admission to the UHC at www.tnstate.edu/honors.
Colors
For all academic purposes, including trimmings of doctoral gowns, edging of hoods, and tassels of caps, the colors associated with the different disciplines are as follows:
Agriculture .............................................. Maize
Arts, Letters, Humanities ................................... White
Business, Accounting, Commerce Drab
Dentistry ................................................. Lilac
Economics Copper
Education ........................................... Light Blue
Engineering. .
Orange
Fine Arts including Architecture Brown
Forestry ................................................. Russet
Journalism.
Crimson
Home Economics Maroon
Law .................................................... Purple
Library Science.......................................... Lemon
Medicine Green
Music ................................................... Pink
Nursing Apricot
Pharmacy .......................................... Olive Green
Philosophy ........................................... Dark Blue
Physical Education Sage
Public Administration ................................ Peacock Blue
Public Health ....................................... Salmon Pink
Science Golden Yellow
Social Work ............................................. Citron
Speech, Oratory ...................................... Silver-Gray
Theology, Divinity Scarlet
Technology .......................................... Bright Red
Veterinary Science Gray
Origin of Awarding Degrees
The first academic degree was conferred in approximately 1160 A.D. at the University of Bologna, Italy with the practice spreading quickly to other European universities, most notably the University of Paris, Oxford University, and Cambridge University. The procedure used for awarding degrees at most American universities is based on a practice developed at the University of Paris in the late 12th or early 13th century. In those days, the Bishop of Paris, like every other bishop, was responsible for local educational curriculum and degree setting. His authority, however, soon came to be disputed by the teachers. They asserted that only they could be proper judges of the qualifications of their students. The threatened impasse was resolved by a compromise, under which the teachers, or masters, judged the merits of the students and then recommended them to the Bishop for the conferring of their degrees.
The Symbols of Office
The University Seal
In 1922, Dr. William Jasper Hale, first president of Tennessee A. and I. Normal School, asked Frances Thompson, professor and department head of Art, to design the University Seal. Enclosed in a circle, the seal is divided into three parts: ‘Agriculture’ upper left, ‘Industry’ upper right, ‘Education’ in lower center. Education is further emphasized by a hand holding a light with rays extending above the seal. The motto, “Think. Work. Serve.” is placed beneath the seal for support.
Presidential Medallion and Chain of Office
The Presidential Medallion and Chain of Office serves as a symbol of authority as head of the university. It originated in medieval times and is worn by the president of the university on ceremonial occasions such as commencement, convocations or other formal occasions.
The front of the Medallion and Chain of Office bears the official University Seal. The backside of the medallion contains a circular seal with a blue border bearing the President’s motto in latin: NIL SINE MAGNO LABORE - “Nothing without Great Effort.”
Each link of the chain holding the medallion is inscribed with the name of a past president of the institution and his term in office. Holding together these links and supporting the medallion is a bronze leaf cluster.
University Mace and Baton
In 2005, the mace and baton was conceptualized. The Lapis stone characterizes the TSU Blue and is used to stimulate inner vision and give enhanced wisdom, insight and good judgment. The pearl stone represents the TSU White and symbolizes the wealth, purity and power of knowledge. The head and flanges of the mace are modeled after the Floyd-Payne Campus Center Tower located on the university’s main campus. The reflective quality of the polished silver signifies the vision of the university.
The baton of the mace is made of wood which is a forest symbol or the symbol of a provider. It represents a tree of knowledge around which each college and school is mounted. This aspect of the mace serves to link the university with its cultural heritage, as well as TSU’s ancestral past.
The three-tier stand for the mace embodies the motto: “Think. Work. Serve.” This aspect of the mace constitutes the foundation of the university that holds the mace in place and represents the classical architectural structure of the educational values at the university. On top of the mace is the seal of the university. Together, the mace and baton are borne as a symbol of authority in the Processional and Recessional at occasions such as Commencement and Inaugural ceremonies.
The mace is carried by the University Chief Marshal in front of the Platform party that is composed of the President, Vice Presidents, Tennessee Board of Regents Representatives, other authorities and distinguished guests.
University’s Academic Excellence Award
The University’s Academic Excellence Award was commissioned in 2008. The award is a two-inch light oxidized bronze seal pendant medallion attached to a blue ribbon and serves as a symbol of recognition for academic achievement for students graduating summa cum laude and with the highest grade point average in the class.
University’s Distinguished Student Leadership Award
The University’s Distinguished Student Leadership Award was commissioned in 2008. The award is presented to the student whose record of leadership and outstanding contributions to student life and government has had a great impact on improving the quality of the student experience at Tennessee State University.
The History of Academic Regalia
The history of academic dress began with the medieval European universities of the 14th century. In a time when all students were clerics, the gown and its attached hood served the dual function of keeping the student warm in unheated buildings and identifying the particular order to which he belonged. Modern academic costume in the United States is based upon an intercollegiate code established in 1895. These early agreements have been revised periodically to cover standardization of the cap (two basic styles), the gown (three basic styles) and the hood (subject to greater variation than either the cap or the gown). The cap, originally round in shape, is usually the more familiar mortarboard square with tassel or black Oxford style.
The gown, commonly black, differs in sleeves and trimming according to the level of degree. The bachelor’s gown is relatively simple in design. It is full-cut, falling in a straight line from an elaborate yoke, with long pointed sleeves as its distinguishing mark. The master’s gown is similar to the bachelor’s, except for its peculiar arrangement of the oblong sleeves that terminate in square ends at the wearer’s knees; the wearer’s arms emerge through slits in the sleeves made at the elbows. Short-sleeved master’s gowns are also worn. The doctoral gown is an elaborate, full-cut, flowing costume distinguished by velvet panels down the front and around the neck and by three bars of velvet on the voluminous bell-shaped sleeves. The velvet is usually black, but it may be a color designating the field of study (for example, dark blue for philosophy).
The hood, traditionally bearing the heaviest symbolic burden, is the most important feature of the academic costume. The length of the hood and the width of its velvet trimming designate the level of the degree. The hood’s lining identifies the institution that granted the degree, and the color of the velvet heralds the major field of learning.
Commencement Committee
Dr. Johnnie C. Smith, Chair
Dr. Robbie Melton, Interim Provost
Dr. Nicole Arrighi
Ms. Tiffany Brown
Mr. John Burgher
Lt. Colonel Stephen Cash
Dr. Gregory Clark
Dr. Eddie Cribbs
Dr. Verontae Deams
Dr. Antoniette Duke
Mrs. Felina Freeman
Dr. Brigett Golman
Mrs. Zanetta Gooch
Mr. Aaron Grayson
Ms. Jenai Hayes
Ms. Angel Higgins
Mr. Eddie Jackson
Mr. Elmore Jones
Mr. Lawrence Lewis
Mr. Brandon Lloyd
Mr. Mike Meads
Ms. Cordia McCutcheon
Mr. Reginald McDonald
Mr. Christopher Miller
Mr. Keith Morgan
Ms. Jennifer Nelson
Dr. Arlene Nicholas-Phillips
Dr. Joseph Perry
Dr. Julian Pirtle
Dr. Trinetia Respress
Ms. Kelli Sharpe
Mr. Darryl Thompson
Ms. T’Mara Thompson
Mr. Andre Westmoreland
Dr. Ramona Whitworth
University Marshals
Dr. Nicole Arrighi College of Education Chief Marshal
Dr. Angela Bryant Records Office
Dr. Gregory Clark Student Affairs Platform Guests/Dais
Dr. Phyllis Hayes College of Engineering
Dr. Philip Hinson College of Agriculture
Dr. Gary Jones College of Public Service
Dr. Trina Jordan Graduate School
Dr. Carrie McCleese College of Business
Dr. Olufemi Oyebade College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Julian Pirtle Academic Achievement Retention Center
Dr. Miranda Sanford-Terry College of Health Sciences
Dr. Josh Shive College of Education
Dr. Venkataswarup Triviveedhi Life and Physical Sciences Faculty
Dr. Kimberly Walker College of Health Sciences
Dr. Xiaofeni Wang Life and Physical Sciences
Dr. Ramona Wiggins Graduate School
Dr. Heidi Williams College of Liberal Arts
Mace and Standard Bearer
Dr. Nicole K. Arrighi Professor
Department of Teaching and Learning College of
Education
Announcer
Mr. Marc Payne
Instructor
Department of Communications College of Liberal Arts
Program Notes
• Photographs: Guests are requested to refrain from taking photographs during the exercises.
• The audience is requested to remain seated during the Academic Procession and Recession.
• The assembly is requested to stand for the Alma Mater.
• An interpreter is provided by the university for hearing-impaired members of the audience. These guests should be seated near the front of the stage on the second level of the gym.
• This program is not an official graduation list. It lists students who were eligible to participate in the graduation ceremonies pending the outcome of final examinations and final grades. Therefore, it should not be used to determine a student’s academic or degree status.
• Candidates: Any display of disruptive behaviors--stumping, dancing, etc.--on stage or in the audience will not be tolerated. No talking on cell phones. All phones must be turned off! Failure to comply with these University rules will necessitate the removal of the graduate from the ceremony, withholding diploma, and other possible consequences.
• Audience: Please turn off cell phones, keep the noise level to a minimum, and do not display behaviors that disrupt the ceremony (bull horns, signs, whistles are prohibited).
TSU Foundation Board of Directors
Valerie R. Love, Chair
Laveil Allen
Robert E. Blalock
Traci Otey Blunt
James Clayborne, Jr.
Curtis Collie
Curtis N. Hollis
Alexis Johnson A Amos-Leon’ Otis
Roosevelt Luster, III
Mario Payne
Deddrick Perry
Lesia G. Riddick
April M. Robinson
Reginald J. Shareef
Cynthia Snyder
Rick L. Stevens
Charles A. Traughber
Laron A. Walker
The Alma Mater
In the land of golden sunshine
By the Cumb’rland’s fertile shore.
Stands a school for greatest service
One that we adore
Alma Mater, how we love thee, Love thy white and blue
May we strive to meet Thy mandates
With faith that’s true.
Many come to Thee for knowledge, Come from East, North, South and West.
For they know that Thou dost offer
Such a rich bequest.
Alma Mater, all Thy children
Worship at They shrine;
May the God of nations bless thee
With gifts divine.
Send forth sons both strong and valiant, Send forth daughters wise and true.
Filled with hope and dauntless courage
Motives sane and true.
Alma Mater, kindly mother
Smile on Tennessee
May she lift her head toward Heaven
Honor Country, God and Thee.