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Faculty/Staff

Dr. James Deemy

Associate Professor of Environmental Science

Education
Ph.D. in Forest Resources (Hydrology, Water Resources), Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia (2017)
M.S. in Environmental Studies (Wetland Restoration), Center for Environmental Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University (2012)
B.S. Environmental Studies, Center for Environmental Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University (2010)
B.S. Biology, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University (2010)

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Deemy, JB, Besterman, A., Tyler, KN, Hall, BM, Takagi, KT, 2022. Nutrient cycling and trophic dynamics in tropical and subtropical freshwater wetlands. In: eds. Dalu, T, and Wasserman, RJ. Fundamentals of Tropical Freshwater Wetlands: From Ecology to Conservation Management. Elsevier.

Deemy, JB, Hall, BM, Takagi, KT, Tyler, KN, Ramussen, TC. 2022. Physicochemical environment of Tropical and Subtropical freshwater wetlands. In: eds. Dalu, T, and Wasserman, RJ. Fundamentals of Tropical Freshwater Wetlands: From Ecology to Conservation Management. Elsevier.

Deemy, JB, Takagi, KT, McLachlan, RL, Ramussen, TC, Wright, SG, Tyler, KN, Garner, MG. 2022. Wetlands Hydrology, Geomorphology, and Soils: An Overview. In: eds. Dalu, T, and Wasserman, RJ. Fundamentals of Tropical Freshwater Wetlands: From Ecology to Conservation Management. Elsevier.

Deemy, J.B., T.C. Rasmussen, K.K. Takagi. 2020 Hydrologic Connectivity of Isolated Wetlands: Episodic Flows. In Encyclopedia of Water: Science, Technology, and Society. Eds. P. A. Maurice and C. Strickland. John Wiley and Sons Inc.

Denise Dees

Admissions Counselor/Recruiter

Dr. Wanda DeLeo

Wanda DeLeo

Professor of Accounting

Education
Ph.D. in Accounting, Georgia State University
Dissertation Title: An Analysis of Financial Information as it Relates to Failed Commercial Banks – A Multivariate Approach
M.S. Accounting, University of Central Florida
B.A. Accounting, University of Georgia

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
All aspects of financial accounting and the importance of accounting internships to student success.

Dr. Baboucarr Dibba

Dr. Dibba

Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Data Science

Education
Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics and Interdisciplinary Applications, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics, University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland)
M.Sc. in Mathematical Engineering, University of L’Aquila (Italy)
B.Sc. (Honors) in Mathematics, University of The Gambia (The Gambia)

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
My teaching and research interests lie at the intersection of applied mathematics, data science, and artificial intelligence, with a strong emphasis on real-world problem solving. In teaching, I focus on making quantitative concepts accessible and relevant, particularly in courses such as calculus, linear algebra, numerical analysis, statistics, quantum physics and information theory, and data science, while integrating computation and visualization to enhance student learning. My research centers on AI-driven analytics, scientific computing, and mathematical modeling, with applications in healthcare diagnostics, image processing, and climate and engineering systems. Recent scholarly work includes peer-reviewed publications on neural networks and p-adic PDE-based image processing, contributions to scientific software development for high-performance computing, and applied optimization research, alongside ongoing interdisciplinary projects that bridge theory, computation, and practical impact.

Jaquan Doby

Jaquan Doby, College of Coastal Georgia
Residence Hall Director

Savannah Downing

Assistant Professor of Communication

Education
Ph.D., Communication Studies (Rhetorical Studies), University of Georgia
M.A., Communication Studies (Rhetoric and Civic Engagement), Colorado State University
B.A., English and Women’s Studies, University of Georgia

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Rhetorical theory and criticism, memory studies, new materialist thought

Amy Dugan

Part-time Instructor of Environmental Science

Education
M.S. in Environmental Geoscience, Mississippi State University
B.S. in Elementary Education, St. Pete College

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
I am committed to understanding and teaching the connections between Earth systems and human activity, with a particular emphasis on oceanography, climate processes, environmental sustainability, and noise pollution. My work focuses on interdisciplinary learning and mentoring students to think critically about marine and environmental challenges and their broader impact on the planet.

Brian Dunne

Part-time Instructor of History

Education
M.A. in History, Florida Atlantic University
B.A. in History, Florida Atlantic University
B.A. in English, Florida Atlantic University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
My graduate thesis examined the slavery debate between military and civil authorities during the war in Maryland. My research interests include 18th and 19th Century America, Presidential History, and the History of Georgia.

Kyle Edwards

Part-time Instructor of Data Science

Bio here

Dr. Patrice Edwards

Patrice Edwards

Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy

Education
Ph.D. in Physics, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
B.S. in Applied Physics, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
My teaching interests focus on physics and astronomy education, with an emphasis on active learning, undergraduate research, and the strategic integration of technology to enhance student engagement and conceptual understanding. I am particularly interested in developing inclusive, research-informed curricula that connect foundational physics concepts to real-world concepts, interdisciplinary applications, and community engagement. Across introductory physics and astronomy courses, I prioritize experiential learning through laboratory investigations, service-learning projects, virtual simulations, and astronomy outreach, helping students build both scientific literacy and confidence in STEM.

My research interests align with physics education research, astronomy education, and data-driven approaches to understanding and improving student learning. I am especially interested in the use of interactive technologies such as virtual labs, data visualization, and multimedia resources to support conceptual learning in physics and astronomy and to broaden participation among historically underrepresented students. In addition, I engage in scholarly and outreach-based astronomy work that connects observational astronomy and space science to public audiences and undergraduate researchers.

These interests are demonstrated through my scholarly and educational contributions, including the collaborative work Evidence of Space Weather in Radon Decay, which reflects my involvement in interdisciplinary, data-centered physics research. They are also supported by my ongoing astronomy education and outreach scholarship, including the educational videos Solar Eclipse 2024 at the College of Coastal Georgia (2024) and Lunar Eclipse (2025), which integrate scientific content, observational data, and public engagement. Together, my teaching and research interests are unified by a commitment to evidence-based pedagogy, student centered learning, and expanding access to physics and astronomy education.

Michael Ellerson

Michael Ellerson

Sergeant
Camden Faculty/Staff, Camden Center

Dr. Johnny L. Evans, Jr.

Dr. Johnny Evans Jr.

President

Dr. Johnny L. Evans, Jr. was named the seventh President of the College of Coastal Georgia on January 14, 2025. Prior to that, he served as the College’s Interim President.

Dr. Evans assumed the role of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the College of Coastal Georgia on January 1, 2019.

Known for his dedication to fostering strong academic programs that deliver transformative educational experiences, Dr. Evans prioritizes student success, drawing from his own formative years as a student at Georgia College. He attributes much of his academic success to the deep care and mentoring provided by his faculty mentors.

Dr. Evans is a distinguished scholar. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Georgia College and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Florida. His academic journey includes postdoctoral research roles at Oak Ridge National Labs and Savannah River Labs.

Dr. Evans spent the first 13 years of his academic career at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he was a Professor of Chemistry and Physics and the Chemistry Program Coordinator. Before joining Coastal Georgia, Dr. Evans held leadership positions as the Dean of Math and Science and subsequently as the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College from 2013 to 2019.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Evans finds joy in the outdoors and expresses his creativity as an avid artist and metal sculptor. His artwork, crafted from steel, brass, and copper, reflects his passion for capturing the beauty of nature through sculpture.

William Fallon

Part-time Faculty, Criminal Justice, Public Policy and Management

Dr. Heather Farley

Heather Farley, College of Coastal Georgia

Chair, Department of Business and Public Administration
Associate Professor of Public Management


Education
Ph.D. in Political Science with Distinction, Northern Arizona University
M.A. in Political Science with Distinction, Concentration: Public Policy, Environmental Policy, Northern Arizona University
Graduate Certificate in Public Management, Northern Arizona University
B.S. in Biology, College of Charleston

Teaching and Research Interests/Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Fields of Study: Public Policy (Primary), International Relations (Secondary), Environmental Policy/Politics (Cognate)
Dissertation: “Interpreting Sustainability: An Analysis of Sustainable Development Narratives Among Developed Nations”
Chair, Department of Criminal Justice, Public Policy, and Management
Tenured Associate Professor of Public Management
Former Director of the Honors Program at the College of Coastal Georgia
Former Sustainability Coordinator/Director at Northern Arizona University and the Sea Island Company
Associate of the Reg Murphy Center for Economic and Policy Studies
Certified in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)

I teach courses in public administration, public and for-profit management, public and environmental policy, sustainability, environmental political theory. My research spans environment and sustainability topics but often relates to the topic of the integration of sustainability in policy.

Recent Publications include:

Trussell, M.R., & Farley, H. (2023). Economic impact of CarePortal donations in Glynn County, Georgia.
Journal of Public Child Welfare, 18(5), 1074-1083.

Farley, Heather M. and Zachary A. Smith (2020). Sustainability: If it’s Everything is it Nothing?
Routledge. 2nd edition. In Progress.

Rudd, M.A., Moore, A.F.P., Rochberg, D. et al. (2018). “Climate research priorities for policy-makers, practitioners, and scientists in Georgia, USA.” Environmental Management 62: 190.

Kelsie Farley

Kelsie Farley

Residence Hall Director – Mariner Way

Remley Farr

Remley Farr
COMPASS Advisor

Thearon Filson

Thearon Filson

Health Center Coordinator

Kevin Fisher

Fisher, Kevin

Electrician

Daniel Floyd

Daniel Floyd, Chief of Police, College of Coastal Georgia

Chief of Police

Stacy Floyd

Stacy Floyd

Plant Operations Coordinator

Departments/Offices