by Kassidy Giles and Kate Wright
Many faculty and staff members have moved on from Judson this semester and there have also been changes in the administrative structure of the school. The current administration paradigm has Dr. Scott Bullard serving as interim president (as he has been since Dr. David Potts took on his role as chancellor and later passed away). Once Dr. Bullard stepped into that role, Dr. Stacey Parham and Dr. Lesley Sheek both received the title of associate dean. Dean Susan Jones is still the dean of students.
New Faculty and Staff
Dr. Jessica Spafford has joined the music faculty in Tucker as Assistant Professor of Music. Dr. Spafford earned her degree in microbiology and music at Ohio Wesleyan University, and then her Master of Music degree from Duquesne University. She lived abroad in Austria and Germany, performing in opera houses in these countries, and still maintains an active performing career today. Dr. Spafford pursued her doctorate at James Madison University, where she was also teaching. She also previously taught at Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University and Mary Baldwin University before coming to Judson College.
Dr. Cheryl Washington joins our education department this year as Judson’s Associate Professor of Education. Dr. Washington earned her BSW at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, her M.Ed. at Auburn University at Montgomery, and her Ed.D. at Alabama State University. Before her arrival at Judson College, Dr. Washington served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs and as a professor in Education. She has over 20 years in the education and social work field.
Dr. Mary Anne Garner joins our faculty members in Lowder this year as Judson’s Assistant Professor of Biology. Dr. Garner earned her B.S. in Biology from Samford University and her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Cornell University. After graduating from Cornell, she earned her post-doctorate degree from Francis S. Lee’s laboratory at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, N.Y. Dr. Garner taught in Samford University’s biology department for five years before coming to Judson College.
Dr. Robin Parnell begins serving in the nursing department of our college this year as Judson’s Associate Professor of Nursing and our Director of the Nursing Program. Dr. Parnell received her B.S. in Nursing at Pensacola Christian College, her Master of Science in nursing from Troy University and her Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She specializes in medical and surgical nursing, and has practiced at the V.A. Hospital in Beckley, West Virginia, and the Vaugh Regional Medical Center in Selma. Before coming to Judson College, she was an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the Associate of Science in Nursing program at Troy University.
Mrs. Laura Boltz has been an adjunct in the social work department of Judson College for the last few years, but has recently begun working at Judson College full-time as the Assistant Professor and Director of Field Education. She earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama and her master’s degree in public health from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She is currently working on her Ph.D. at the University of Alabama. After completing grad school, Mrs. Boltz worked at the Jefferson County DHR in the foster care unit.
Coach Bridget Goodnight joins the Judson faculty this year as Judson’s Head Basketball Coach. Coach Goodnight has over 20 years of coaching experience at the junior high, high school, NJCAA, NCAA II, and NCAA levels, and has seen both increases in scholastic accomplishments and conference championships in the programs in which she has been involved. She holds multiple degrees from Northwest Mississippi Community College, Blue Mountain College and Delta State University.
Mrs. Shannon Stewart joins our faculty as our librarian in Bowling Library. Mrs. Stewart served in education as a librarian in the city of Selma for over 20 years before her arrival at Judson College. She has expressed her enthusiasm for working with students here at Judson where we are “supported within a Christian environment.” Mrs. Stewart is also thankful for the opportunity to aid students in their own self-discovery and in their location and evaluation of information as they proceed in their curriculum.
Miss Whitney Mitchell has joined the administrative staff of Bowling Library in place of Mrs. Vanessa Nicholson as our library assistant. Whitney is a 2016 graduate of Marion Academy and a native of Marion, Ala. She openly expresses her excitement to service Judson College and experience her hometown in a new perspective through it.
Mrs. Carrie McWhorter is now serving Judson College as our journalism adjunct. Mrs. McWhorter has been teaching college-level English for over twenty years, and also serves as a writer and editor for the Alabama Baptist newspaper, as well as several other publications over a 20-year journalism career. She is currently presiding over the publication of The Triangle, and works closely with its staff.
Mrs. Arwen Dillard is an adjunct in the English department this semester.
Mrs. Alyssa Snyder has joined our Judson staff this year as our registrar at the departure of Mrs. Susanna Barkley. Mrs. Snyder earned her B.A. in Theology with a minor in Counseling at [insert college here]. Previous to her tenure at Judson, Mrs. Snyder as the Student Success Advisor for Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, Ala., as well as various roles in admissions there.
Miss Noelle Hanna, Mrs. Ashley Smith, Mrs. Shacovah Edmonds and Miss Kaitlyn Garrison have all joined our Judson family as staff members of the Admissions office this year.
Mrs. Mary Kathryn Avery has joined our Judson staff this year on the marketing team. Mrs. Avery earned her B.A. in Communication Sciences and a Master’s in Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Alabama. She previously worked for the American Cancer Society as the Marketing and Communications Specialist and at Regions Bank as the Corporate Marketing Area Support Manager.
Mrs. Ashley Washington is teaching in the nursing department.