School of Business and Public Management

    Welcome to the School of Business and Public Management (SBPM). You will find exciting and varied degree programs. Also, you will learn about our community engagement as well as student organizations that will enhance your experience at the College of Coastal Georgia.

    We offer bachelor level degrees in Business, Criminal Justice, Health Informatics, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Public Administration, Accounting, and Workforce Management and Leadership. Each of these degree programs offers a variety of areas of concentrated study. These areas range from Cyber Security in Criminal Justice, to Sports Management in Hospitality and Tourism, to Political Science in Public Administration. While these degrees are very different, the common elements in all areas of study are effective decision-making, dynamic analysis in an uncertain world, and meaningful leadership. We also offer the Bachelor of Applied Science in Workforce Management and Leadership. This degree is focused on individuals who have been technically trained who seek positions of leadership in their place of work.

    We also offer a Career Associates degree in Culinary Arts. It is also possible to add a BS degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with only two additional years of academic work. This is a great combination for budding creative chefs who also see themselves as entrepreneurial restaurateurs.

    Like/Follow our social media platforms for all the latest information:


    Chief Marketing Officer for TopGolf speaks at Coastal Georgia

    Geoff Cottrill is an accomplished, award-winning leader with strong, creative thinking skills, and organizational development abilities. His areas of expertise include product development, brand management, advertising, media, music and entertainment marketing, and developing future leaders.

    WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

    Business and Public Management Departments – Degrees, Majors, and Minors

    Dept. of Business and Public Administration
    BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING
    TRADITIONAL BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
    • CYBER DEFENSE
    • ECONOMICS
    • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
    • FINANCE
    • FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGIES
    • HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
    • LEADERSHIP
    • MANAGEMENT
    • MARKETING
    ONLINE BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
    WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP (BAS)
    • TECHNICAL & INDUSTRIAL
    • HEALTHCARE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
    • GENERAL BUSINESS
    • CRIMINAL JUSTICE
    • LOGISTICS & TRANSPORTATION
    MINORS:
    Dept. of Criminal Justice and Public Policy
    CRIMINAL JUSTICE (BS)
    • CYBER DEFENSE
    • HOMELAND SECURITY
    • PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
    PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (BS)
    • CYBER DEFENSE
    • POLITICAL SCIENCE
    • PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
    MINORS:
      Business and Public Management Online Degrees

      The College’s growth in the area of online learning has grown precipitously within the last few years. In an effort to accommodate diverse student learners, online education is a popular learning platform, not only in terms of convenience and flexibility, but also the opportunity for students to participate in an interactive virtual classroom environment that offers enhanced class discussions.

      Bachelor of Applied Science
        – Workforce Management and Leadership

      Bachelor of Business Administration
        –General Business

      Public Management
        -Public Management (Non-Profit Management and Leadership Track) Info coming soon.

      Coastal Georgia Majors and Degrees

      Majors

      120 semester credit hours for all baccalaureate degrees with at least 21 semester credit hours of upper level courses in the major field, and at least 39 semester credit hours of upper level work overall (30 credits of upper level courses must be completed at Coastal Georgia.)

      Accounting (BS)

      American Studies (BA)
        – Communication, Literature, and Media Studies
        – History and Political Science

      Biological Science (BS)
        – Biochemistry
        – Coastal Ecology
        – Biomedical Science
        – Secondary Certification (Biology)
        – Integrative Biology

      Criminal Justice (BS)
        – Cyber Defense
        – Homeland Security
        – Public Management

      Data Science (BS)
        – Computational Data Analytics
        – Cyber Defense
        – Earth Analytics
        – Entrepreneurship
        – Financial Analytics
        – Healthcare Analytics
        – Marketing Analytics

      Early Childhood/Special Education (BSED)

      Environmental Science (BS)
        – Chemistry
        – Environmental Studies
        – Geology
        – Marine Science
        – Natural Science
        – Sustainability Policy and Management

      General Business (BBA)
        – Cyber Defense
        – Economics
        – Entrepreneurship
        – Finance
        – Financial Technologies
        – General Business
        – Health Care Administration
        – Leadership
        – Management
        – Marketing

      Health Sciences (BS)
        – Health Promotion
        – Exercise Science

      Hospitality and Tourism Management (BS)
        – General Management
        – Sports Management

      Interdisciplinary Studies (BS)
        – Business
        – Communications
        – Culture
        – Education
        – Health
        – Sciences
        – Social Sciences
        – Technology

      Mathematics (BS)
        – Environmental Modelling
        – General Mathematics
        – Secondary Teacher Certification

      Middle Grades Education (BS)

      Nursing, (BS)

      Psychology (BS)
        – Psychological Science
        – Community and Organizational Leadership
        – Human Services

      Public Administration (BS)
        – Cyber Defense
        – Political Science
        – Public Management

      Workforce Management and Leadership (BS)
        – Technical and Industrial
        – Healthcare Information Management
        – General Business
        – Criminal Justice
        – Logistics and Transportation

      Associate Degrees and Academic Pathways

      The Associate of Arts degree (A.A.) and Associate of Science degree (A.S.) prepare students who are planning further study in many disciplines at Coastal Georgia. These degrees consist of 42 hours of the required core curriculum courses and 18 hours of lower level courses related to a bachelor’s degree field of study.

      An Academic Pathway is an advising guide to help students prepare for their intended bachelor’s degree major. By following the course of study for either an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science pathway, students will have the required general education courses to move into a four-year bachelor’s program of study. A pathway is not a major and will not be represented on the diploma.

      Students should meet with an advisor in COMPASS Career and Academic Advising who can guide them in selecting and planning for an appropriate academic pathway. Students are also encouraged to investigate specific course requirements for the bachelor’s program they are intending to pursue.

      The College of Coastal Georgia offers three academic pathways:

      1. General Studies
      2. Health Professions
      3. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics – including the REP Regents Engineering Program).
      Career Associate Degrees

      Coastal Georgia also offers three Career Associate Degrees that are designed to prepare students for employment upon graduation. These degrees require 60-70 credits, with at least 20 credits of general education courses.

      Culinary Arts (AAS)

      Nursing (AS)

      Radiologic Science (AS)

      Online Degrees

      The College’s growth in the area of online learning has grown precipitously within the last few years. In an effort to accommodate diverse student learners, online education is a popular learning platform, not only in terms of convenience and flexibility, but also the opportunity for students to participate in an interactive virtual classroom environment that offers enhanced class discussions.

      Bachelor of Applied Science
        – Workforce Management and Leadership

      Bachelor of Business Administration
        –General Business

      Bachelor of Science
        – Interdisciplinary Studies

      Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
        –Health Promotion

      Bachelor of Science in Mathematics 
        – General Mathematics

      Bachelor of Science
        – RN to BSN

      Public Administration
        –Public Management

      Meet Our Faculty/Staff


      Contact Information:

      Stephen Shehan-Nichols

      Stephen Shehan-Nichols

      Business and Public Management Academic Services Coordinator

      Mr. Stephen Shehan-Nichols is the Academic Services Coordinator for the School of Business and Public Management, and is responsible for coordinating the administrative, academic, and support functions of the school. He joined Coastal Georgia in the fall of 2018 and served as the Freshmen Academic Advisor for the School of Business and Public Management prior to being named Academic Services Coordinator.

      Mr. Shehan-Nichols is a seasoned academic professional experienced in serving diverse student populations in various settings in higher education. With over a decade of experience, he has worked in various professional roles in admissions, academic advising, financial aid advising, and career services advising at both Chamberlain University and National University.

      He has a passion for mentoring students and supporting academic success. He is an intrinsically motivated individual, who strives to attain personal and team goals with enthusiasm and integrity. He believes that in order for academic services to be effective they must be both purposeful and holistic. He is known to be a student advocate and helps students achieve their education goals, teaching them about the nature of higher education, and provoking them toward greater levels of self-awareness and responsibility.

      Mr. Shehan-Nichols received both his M.Ed in Adult Education and B.S. in Organizational Management from Tusculum College. He obtained his certification as a Certified Life Coach in 2020.

      Prior to a career in higher education, Mr. Shehan-Nichols worked in varying managerial roles in business in the telemarketing, banking, and shipping industries. He worked his way from entry level manager to executive management and served as an Executive Director of Customer Service and Training in the shipping and packaging industry. His unique and comprehensive experience in training, mentoring, team building, leadership, customer service, and relationship management has given him a dynamic and unique ability to connect and develop strong connections with students.

      Mr. Shehan-Nichols serves on various committees at the College of Coastal Georgia, including the Honors Program Advisory Council, Presidential Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, and staff search committees. He also serves as co-advisor for the Health Informatics Association.

      Dr. James Benton

      James Benton

      Professor of Accounting

      Dr. James “Jim” E. Benton is currently an Associate Professor of Accounting at the College of Coastal Georgia. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Finance and Masters of Art in Economics from Old Dominion University, a Juris Doctor, Masters of Taxation and Masters of Science in Personal Financial Planning from Georgia State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Northern Illinois University. His professional credentials include active Bar member in the state of Georgia, CPA/PFS, and CFP. Jim has worked in various law and accounting practices as well as operating his own financial planning/tax planning practices. He has taught various personal financial planning courses at a number of certified financial planning programs including Georgia State University, Western Carolina University, Duke University, Old Dominion University, and Shippensburg University. He is also the founder of The Financial Literacy Academy, LLC, a corporate training company specializing in financial literacy training and is a 28-year US Army combat veteran who retired from the US Army/Army Reserves as a LTC in the Judge Advocate General Corp.

      Dr. Wanda DeLeo

      Wanda DeLeo

      Professor of Accounting

      Dr. Wanda DeLeo is a Professor of Accounting in the School of Business and Public Management. Dr. DeLeo came to the college in 2015 after retiring from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) where she was most recently the Deputy Director of the Division of Conservatorship where she lead all activities associated with the Agency’s conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Before taking that role in 2013, Dr. DeLeo held multiple positions at FHFA, including Deputy Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives, Deputy Director of the Division of Examination Programs and Support, Acting Deputy Director of the Division of Housing Mission and Goals and Chief Accountant. Before becoming Chief Accountant at FHFA in 2008, she was Examination Manager for Accounting and later Chief Accountant for the former Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), one of FHFA’s predecessor agencies.

      Prior to joining OFHEO in 2002, Dr. DeLeo enjoyed a 20-year academic career teaching and conducting research in financial accounting at Winthrop University, Christian Brothers University, University of Houston – Downtown, Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University.

      Dr. DeLeo holds a Doctorate in accounting from Georgia State University, a Master’s degree in accounting from the University of Central Florida, and a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from University of Georgia. She is also a licensed CPA in the states of Georgia and Florida, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

      Dr. DeLeo has over 50 articles and presentations. She has presentations at regional and national conferences including the American Accounting Association, the American Academy of Accounting and Finance, and the Mortgage Bankers Association Journal, in which she has published include Management Accounting, Journal of Accounting and Finance and the Journal of Education for Business. She has also received a number of outstanding achievement and teaching awards including FHFA’s Director’s Award for her role in defining and managing relationships with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac throughout the Conservatorship, Winthrop University’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Charter Advisor for Beta Alpha Psi, and Winthrop University’s Beta Gamma Sigma Excellence in Teaching Award.

      Dr. Heather Farley

      Farley, Heather

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

      Heather Farley is Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Public Policy & Management in the School of Business and Public Management at the College of Coastal Georgia. Dr. Farley has been teaching at the College for more than 10 years in the areas of policy, public management, and sustainability. She also serves as the Director of the College’s Honors program. In addition to her teaching role, Dr. Farley has served as the Sustainability Coordinator at the Sea Island Company, has held roles in advising and admissions at The College of Coastal Georgia, and was the Sustainability Coordinator at Northern Arizona University.

      Dr. Farley earned her Ph.D. in Political Science (Environmental Policy), her M.A. in Public Policy, and a graduate certificate in Public Management from Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ). During her graduate studies, she also served as the full time Sustainability Coordinator for the University and helped develop the institution’s 2020 carbon neutrality strategic plan and goal. She also has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from the College of Charleston (Charleston, SC); it was this course of study that sparked her passion for sustainability, the environment, and policy. In 2020, Dr. Farley published a second edition of her co-authored book titled Sustainability: If it’s Everything is it Nothing? She has presented her research and work at both national and regional conferences including: Western Political Science Association, American Society for Public Administration, Southern Political Science Association, Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences, and the Dimensions of Political Ecology conference.

      In addition to her professional positions, Dr. Farley is active in her community through organizations such as the Green Scene of Coastal Georgia and other community organizations.

      Dr. Bill Garlen

      Director of Business Innovation Development

      Bill Garlen is a seasoned management and leadership professional with diverse credentials that combine tactical leadership, corporate executive management, marketing, communications and human resources expertise. Garlen spent years as a business entrepreneur and has a background of achieving success in television, media, music, consulting, corporate, and proprietary business environments. His teaching background includes over 20 years experience in diverse adult education. Additionally, he spent several years in corporate training consulting where he designed, developed and taught courses online and in the classroom. Corporate courses developed include topics in business, management, leadership, marketing, mechanical engineering, real estate, appraisal, adult continuing education, occupational skills, safety and a wide range of computerized applications.

      Garlen worked his way from the entry level up to executive management in large corporations, trained as a military officer, owned successful businesses and led a number of volunteer organizations. He served on the Boards of Directors of publicly traded companies. As a board member he served as a lead director, and as chairman of both the audit and compensation committees. He still serves on community boards with Rayonier and the Federal Correctional Institute in Jesup. His knowledge in balancing state, federal and institutional requirements with the practical needs of academic, business and industrial organizations provides him with a unique insight into business, management, and leadership with a unique ability to communicate real world knowledge to his students.

      Garlen is a member of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education, International Leadership Association, Learning and Development Center of Excellence and Education Technology and eLearning Professionals. At the College of Coastal Georgia he assists in administering and overseeing programs in the School of Business and Public Affairs, supports the development and coordination of the various curriculums in the School, coordinates the use of part-time faculty (recruitment, text selection, and orientation) and assists in assessment activities of the various programs within the school. In addition Garlen serves on the College of Coastal Georgia Curriculum Committee, the Web Oversight Committee, and on numerous faculty and staff search committees.

      Dr. William Mounts

      Dr. William Mounts

      Dean, School of Business and
      Public Management, Professor of Economics

      Dr. William S. Mounts, Jr. is the Dean of the School of Business and Public Management at Coastal Georgia, as well as a professor of Economics. Dr. Mounts came to the College in 2011 after 33 years at Mercer University in Macon, GA. He received the Ph.D., M.A., and BBA degrees in economics from the University of Georgia. Dr. Mounts has over 50 academic articles, books, and presentations. His presentations have been at national and international conferences, including the Southern Economics Association, the Western Economics Conference, and the central bank of Switzerland. Journals in which he has published include the “Economics of Governance,” “Journal of Macroeconomics,” “Southern Economic Review,” “Public Choice,” “Journal of Sports Economics,” “Journal of Money, Banking and Credit,” and the “Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics.” Dr. Mounts also has an active consulting practice specializing in economic valuation and interest rate forecasting. On several occasions, he has received the Distinguished Faculty Award for excellence in the classroom and for his research.

      Dr. T. David Reese

      T. David Reese

      Professor of Finance and Economics

      T. David Reese is an Associate Professor of Finance & Economics in the School of Business & Public Management at the College of Coastal Georgia.

      Dr. T.” David Reese also serves as a consultant to governmental agencies and for-profit and non-profit organizations on matters related to Economic Development, Community Development and Business Development. Dr. Reese’s past consulting clients include: the U.S. Department of the Treasury; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”); and the City of Montgomery (AL). Over the past 20 years, Dr. Reese has held management positions with a range of public, private and community financial institutions. Prior to his career in academia, he spent more than 10 years on Wall Street, working as an Investment Analyst with Metropolitan Life and as a Vice President of Citicorp Investment Bank. During 1980’s, while working on Wall Street, Dr. Reese acquired the nickname “Dr. T.” During this period, Dr. T. worked with a number of major corporations, investor groups and entrepreneurs to structure and finance leveraged buyouts. He has been active in community economic development throughout his career. He worked with two municipally-sponsored non-profits in New York City which served small businesses owned by women and people of color. Dr. Reese also served as the youngest board member of 100 Black Men of New York, a group of business and community leaders dedicated to the political and economic empowerment of African-Americans. Dr. T is a former Director of the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF), a multi-million dollar community development venture capital fund that finances small businesses and creates jobs for low-income persons. LEAF, headquartered in Boston, finances transactions throughout the country.

      Dr. Reese earned his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College and his master’s degree and doctorate at Southern New Hampshire University. Dr. Reese engages in research in three areas: Small Business Finance, African-American Entrepreneurship, and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). Ultimately, a desire to identify and understand those factors that impact access to capital for various marginalized communities motivates all of Dr. Reese’s research interests.

      Stephen Shehan-Nichols

      Stephen Shehan-Nichols

      Business and Public Management Academic Services Coordinator

      Mr. Stephen Shehan-Nichols is the Academic Services Coordinator for the School of Business and Public Management, and is responsible for coordinating the administrative, academic, and support functions of the school. He joined Coastal Georgia in the fall of 2018 and served as the Freshmen Academic Advisor for the School of Business and Public Management prior to being named Academic Services Coordinator.

      Mr. Shehan-Nichols is a seasoned academic professional experienced in serving diverse student populations in various settings in higher education. With over a decade of experience, he has worked in various professional roles in admissions, academic advising, financial aid advising, and career services advising at both Chamberlain University and National University.

      He has a passion for mentoring students and supporting academic success. He is an intrinsically motivated individual, who strives to attain personal and team goals with enthusiasm and integrity. He believes that in order for academic services to be effective they must be both purposeful and holistic. He is known to be a student advocate and helps students achieve their education goals, teaching them about the nature of higher education, and provoking them toward greater levels of self-awareness and responsibility.

      Mr. Shehan-Nichols received both his M.Ed in Adult Education and B.S. in Organizational Management from Tusculum College. He obtained his certification as a Certified Life Coach in 2020.

      Prior to a career in higher education, Mr. Shehan-Nichols worked in varying managerial roles in business in the telemarketing, banking, and shipping industries. He worked his way from entry level manager to executive management and served as an Executive Director of Customer Service and Training in the shipping and packaging industry. His unique and comprehensive experience in training, mentoring, team building, leadership, customer service, and relationship management has given him a dynamic and unique ability to connect and develop strong connections with students.

      Mr. Shehan-Nichols serves on various committees at the College of Coastal Georgia, including the Honors Program Advisory Council, Presidential Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, and staff search committees. He also serves as co-advisor for the Health Informatics Association.

      Dr. Ray Stephens

      Ray Stephens

      Dr. Stephens is the Program Director for the Workforce Management and Leadership program. He has over 19 years of administrative and teaching experience in the higher education and K-12 environments. He has developed and taught courses at Georgia Southern University within the doctoral education program, and has taught business courses with Liberty University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Baker College, and Darton College. While at Altamaha Technical College, (now Coastal Pines Technical College), he was the department head of the Marketing and Management programs. He has formed and facilitated over 15 business courses for online delivery methods.

      Educationally, he possesses a Master’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Education, coupled with a Doctorate in Education Administration. He is a graduate of the Georgia Tech Economic Development Institute, has a certificate in Online Learning Administration, Online Learning and Teaching Management, and is a Certified Customer Service Trainer and Advancement Officer.

      He brings in practical business work experience in wholesale, retail and in banking. He is a previous owner of a small business that employed 27 employees with four locations. He is a member of various professional organizations including the North American Council for Online Learning, the Georgia Association of Career and Technical Education, the Academy of Legal Studies in Business, and the American Association of Community Colleges. He is a former president of the Georgia Southern University Alumni Association. In his hometown of Jesup, GA, he is past president of the Jesup Rotary Club and the Jaycees, and served on the Board of Directors for the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

      Scott Williamson

      Scott Williamson

      Professor of Practice, Marketing and Communications

      Scott Williamson is Professor of Practice, Marketing and Communications at the College of Coastal Georgia.

      Williamson retired from Coca-Cola North America in 2017 as Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications, and brings a wealth of “real world” experience to the classroom. During his 25-year career, he directed communications initiatives for the Company’s brands, sports and entertainment properties, and multimillion dollar investments and acquisitions.

      Originally from Brunswick, Ga., Scott is a graduate of Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies, and of the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications, where he earned a Master of Mass Communications degree.

      Cynthia Atwood

      Senior Lecturer of Criminal Justice

      Ms. Atwood has served as a full-time faculty member researching, developing, and teaching courses in Criminal Justice since 2014.

      Prior to joining the faculty at the College of Coastal Georgia, Ms. Atwood completed a distinguished 30-year career retiring as an Assistant Director (AD) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC).As a career member of the Senior Executive Service, Ms. Atwood provided executive leadership and oversight for both training and administrative functions at the FLETC, including all training and training support functions across the FLETC’s four domestic locations in Glynco, GA; Charleston, SC; Artesia, NM; and Cheltenham, MD; training delivered at the International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEAs) around the world; and state, local, tribal, and territorial training delivered across the United States. Ms. Atwood led training across the spectrum of law enforcement training areas including: Behavioral Science, Counter-Terrorism, Leadership, Legal, Firearms, Drivers, Maritime, Investigative Operations, Enforcement Techniques, Physical Techniques, Financial Fraud, and Instructional Development. She also led efforts to ensure coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement entities to develop and deliver programs to effectively prepare law enforcement officers and agents in areas such as Active Shooter and Cyber training programs across the United States.

      While serving as the FLETC’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Ms. Atwood provided executive leadership and oversight for multiple complex areas including: human resources (including employee and labor relations), facilities management (including design and construction), procurement, property management, and the Critical Incident Stress Management program.

      Ms. Atwood’s law enforcement and teaching experience span 31 years and include serving as a Special Agent in the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Senior Special Agent, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. General Services Administration.She conducted investigations resulting in the successful prosecution of criminal and civil matters across the eight southeastern states and the District of Columbia, including program fraud, bribery of government officials, food stamp trafficking and serious allegations of employee misconduct.

      Ms. Atwood graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration from Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Law Enforcement, and earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University’s College of Public and Urban Affairs. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA and the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC.

      James Atwood

      Judge Atwood

      Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
      Asst. Professor J. Alexander Atwood
       

      On January 1st, 2022, Alex Atwood joined the faculty of the School of Business and Public Management, College of Coastal Georgia. Prior to assuming this position, Professor Atwood served as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, overseeing all State-Wide Contracting, Risk Management, Fleet Management, Human Resources Administration and Surplus Property for the State of Georgia. In this position, Professor Atwood also served on numerous state boards and authorities and represented the State of Georgia as a member of the National Association of State Chief Administrators.

      Professor Atwood holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Webster College, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in Law (Cum Laude) from Atlanta’s John Marshall School of Law and a Master of Law (LL.M.) from Georgia State University’s School of Law. Professor Atwood is a member of the legal honor fraternity Sigma Delta Kappa, was a recipient of the Corpus Juris Secumdum Award for academic excellence, is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, and is a Fellow of the Lawyers Foundation of Georgia. Professor Atwood is also a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia.

      Professor Atwood has served as a member of the United States Attorneys Committee for Project Safe Neighborhood, an Adjunct Instructor at the International Law Enforcement Academy in Budapest, Hungary, a member of the Legal Advisors Section to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, a legal advisor to the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Georgia Council of Magistrate Court Judges.

      Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Professor Atwood enjoyed many operational and command roles including service as the Chief of Legal Training for the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent for several federal executive branch agencies, Chief Operating Officer of Alpha Protective Services, Inc., a 700-member security corporation which provided security services for the federal government and the National Football League, as the Chief Judge of the Magistrate Court of Glynn County, and as the founding partner of Atwood Choate, PC. Professor Atwood also served for 34 years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in ground, aviation and Intelligence positions, entering service as a Private and retiring at the rank of full Colonel.

      Professor Atwood also served as a State Representative in the Georgia House of Representatives where among many committee assignments he served as Appropriations Committee Chairman for Public Safety, Vice-Chair of the Juvenile Justice Committee, and Secretary of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. Representative Atwood also served as Majority Caucus Deputy Whip and as a member of the Jekyll Island Legislative Oversight Committee.

      Dr. Nelbert St. Clair

      St. Clair, Nelbert

      Associate Professor of Cyber Defense

      Dr. Nelbert St. Clair is an Assistant Professor of Cyber Defense and Director of the Coastal Cyber Center. He earned his Doctor of Science (Dsc) in Information Systems and Communication from Robert Morris University (Moon Township, PA), M.A. in Information Technology Management from Webster University (St. Louis, MO) and a Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno (Reno, NV). He earned all his civilian education while severing (now retired) in the Army National Guard for 23 years. He currently maintains 15 active cyber/IT certifications.

      Dr. St. Clair started at the College in Fall of 2019, with the task of building a Cyber Defense program from the ground up. As the Director of the Coastal Cyber Center, a non-profit center aimed to provide IT services to non-profit and small businesses, he reaches out to the local community with the help of the Cyber Defense students. He believes in giving back to the community.

      Dr. St. Clair inspires students to begin a career in the field of Information Technology. He brings to the Cyber education world, 23 years of experience in leadership, security, and military knowledge (National Guard including two deployments), 14 years in the private sector and 8 years working for the federal government. Dr. St. Clair’s main focus is cybersecurity education, but he enjoys recruiting new students and partnering with local businesses, to provide cyber education and services to the community, with the help of his students.

      Dr. Matthew Mosley

      Matthew Mosley

      Assistant Professor of Hospitality
      and Tourism Management

      Matthew Mosley is an Assistant Professor in the Hospitality & Tourism Management program. He holds a PhD in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University, a Master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, and a Bachelor’s from South Dakota State University. Dr. Mosley has worked in the hospitality industry in both restaurants and hotels for over 20 years prior to entering academia. Dr. Mosley’s current research track examines both music and film induced tourism. Dr. Mosley currently teaches classes such as Eco-Tourism, Event Management, Hotel Management, Strategic Management, and Hospitality Finance Management.

      Dr. Richard Robby Roberson

      Dr. Roberson
      Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism, Chef Instructor

      Richard (Robby) Roberson is an associate professor teaching classes for the Hospitality Management program. He holds a PhD in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University. Additionally, he did post-doctoral work at the University of Florida, and is academically qualified in both Marketing and Management. He serves as the program director for the Culinary Arts program at the College of Coastal Georgia. His research interest is film-induced tourism. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Roberson worked extensively in the hospitality industry. He has worked as a chef for many restaurants, resorts in Georgia, Arizona, Wyoming, and Montana, in both grand Teton and Glacier National Parks. He has also owned his own business.

      Reg Murphy Center

      The Reg Murphy Center is dedicated to serving the local community in providing insight and information on economic and public policy issues that are important for the Coastal Georgia community.

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      Art & Lindee Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship

      The Center’s goal is to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports the development of new & experienced entrepreneurs for the Golden Isles.

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      Brown Family Executive-in-Residence

      The Executive-in-Residence is a retired or semiretired leader who lectures & teaches occasional classes in the Business & Public Management programs.

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      Coastal Cyber Center

      The Coastal Cyber Center’s mission is to raise awareness to cybersecurity issues and to support the development of Cyber Defense at the College of Coastal Georgia.
       

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      Internships with National Brands

      Classroom learning comes to life in “real world” internships. At Coastal Georgia, internship opportunities with major businesses are right outside the door.

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