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Core Requirement - 3.2.8

The institution has qualified administrative and academic officers with the experience, competence, and capacity to lead the institution.

Southwest actively seeks and finds qualified administrative and academic officers who can best lead the institution in the achievement of its mission. Southwest follows Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) policy 5:01:00:00, "General Personnel Policy" [1] which delegates authority to the president of each TBR college regarding the efficient administration of the institution and its personnel. In all hiring decisions, the college follows the tenets of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

College policies have been developed and implemented utilizing TBR policies and guidelines as an authoritative guide. Southwest policy 5:01:00:00/20, "Hiring Procedures" [2] ensures that the college follows these directives to that end. The policy applies the principles of equal opportunity in employment to all current and prospective employees regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, or religious affiliation. The expectation of College compliance with applicable federal laws, and TBR policies are clearly stated.

The policy also establishes detailed guidelines for position approval, recruitment, internal searches, external searches, interviewing, temporary and emergency appointments, job offers, and contracts. These procedures ensure consistent and equitable processes of selecting quality candidates for employment.

Prior to the advertisement of any administrative or academic position, job descriptions with education and experience requirements are developed and approved. [3] Pools of candidates are certified by the Human Resources Office and the Affirmative Action Office as meeting minimum requirements before interviews may be conducted. The highest qualified personnel are employed after all reviews have been completed. The President authorizes all hires.

The current central administration of the college is composed of professionals with extensive academic preparation and experience. The names and credentials of the central administration are summarized below. [4]

President, Dr. Nathan L. Essex
     Degree:        Ph.D.
     Experience:  Dean, College of Education University of Memphis
 

President’s Office Staff:

Director of Affirmative Action, Mr. Paul Thomas
     Degree:        B.B.A.
     Experience:  Director of Human Resources

Director of Athletics, Mr. Verties Sails
     Degree:        M.Ed.
     Experience:  Assistant Coach, University of Memphis Head Coach, Melrose High
                        School

Director of Internal Audit, Mr. John Floyd
     Degree:       B.S.
     Experience: Certified Public Accountant, Arkansas license Certified Public
                        Accountant, Tennessee license

Executive Director of Mid-South Quality and Productivity Center,
Dr. Donald C. Fisher
     Degree:       Ph.D.
     Experience: Malcom Baldridge Quality Consultant and Examiner

Provost/Executive Vice-President for Academic and Student Affairs,
Dr. Andrea L. Miller
     Degree:       Ph.D.
     Experience: Vice President Academic Affairs Assistant Dean Curriculum &
                        Instruction Department Chair, Biology

Vice-Provost/Campus Executive Officer, Mr. H. Arch Griffin
     Degree:       M.S.
     Experience: Interim Dean of Arts & Sciences Chair, Social Science

Dean, Business, Career Studies, and Technologies, Mr. Ted Along
     Degree:       MBA
     Experience: College Academic Dean Dean of Administrative Services Dean,
                       Business Division

Dean, Liberal Studies and Education, Dr. Ada C. Shotwell
     Degree:       Ph.D.
     Experience: Director of Administrative Affairs Assistant to the President

Dean, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Health Sciences, Mr. Glenn Swinny   
     Degree:       M.A.
     Experience: Assistant Dean, Instruction Chair, Radiologic Technology

Dean, Student Services and Enrollment Management, Mr. Thomas Walker,
     Degree:       M.P.A
     Experience: Director of Student Services Director of Advising, Counseling &
                       Articulation Coordinator of Minority Affairs

Dean, Distance Education and Instructional Technology, Dr. Joanne H. Bassett,  
     Degree:       Ed.D.
     Experience: Chair, Developmental Studies Professor

Vice-President for Business, Finance, and Information Systems,
Dr. Ashok Dhingra
     Degree:      Doctorate of Public Administration M.A. – Business Administration
     Experience: Vice President for Business and Finance

Executive Director for Business, Mr. Nathaniel Parker
     Degree:       B.A.
     Experience: Director of Purchasing

Executive Director for Finance, Ms. Susan Rains
     Degree:       B.F.A.
     Experience: Budget Director

Executive Director for Information Systems, Mr. Michael Old,
     Degree:       M.S.
     Experience: Director, Information Technology

Vice-President for Institutional Advancement, Ms. Karen F. Nippert,
     Degree:       M.Ed.
     Experience: Vice President for Administrative Services

Executive Director for Grants, Ms. Patricia Meeks
     Degree:       M.A.
     Experience: Director of Grants and Contracts

Executive Director for Institutional Development, Mr. Richard McMahon
     Degree:       B.S.
     Experience: Director of College Development

Executive Director for Community Relations and Marketing, Ms. Elisa C. Marus,
     Degree:       M.S.
     Experience: Director of Marketing

Vice-President for Workforce Development and Continuing Education,
Dr. Jim Willis,
     Degree:       Ed.D.
     Experience: Dean of Business and Career Studies

Executive Director for Workforce Development, Dr. Joy M. Hardy
     Degree:       Ph.D.
     Experience: Director of Health Works

Executive Director for Continuing Education and Collaborative Partnerships,
Mr. Ralph Chumbley
     Degree:       Ph.D.
     Experience: Director of Research Director of Information Systems