Archives: Staff Members

North, Robert

Robert North

Part-time Instructor, Business Management

Education
Ed.D. in Adult and Career Education, Valdosta State University
MBA, University of Phoenix
BGS, Concentration in Business, Valdosta State University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
My philosophy of education is grounded in the principle of lifelong learning. Over my 26 years of experience as an instructor and academic advisor in higher education, I have become increasingly convinced that sustained, continuous learning is essential in today’s workforce. Working adults now change careers more frequently and remain professionally active longer than in previous generations. As a result, the attainment of a college degree should not viewed as the culmination of one’s education, but rather as the foundation for an ongoing commitment to professional growth, intellectual curiosity, and engagement with emerging research and developments within one’s field.

I believe the concept of lifelong learning should be intentionally embedded within the curriculum of higher education. Students should be encouraged not only to master disciplinary content, but also to develop the habits, skills, and motivation necessary to adapt to evolving professional and societal demands throughout their lives.

Having taught in both traditional and nontraditional higher education environments, I recognize the distinct instructional approaches required to support learners in each setting. The increasing prevalence of accelerated and short-term course formats further underscores the need for flexible, learner-centered andragogy. To deepen my understanding of adult learners and effective curriculum design in these contexts, I pursued a Doctorate of Education in Adult and Career Education. This academic preparation, combined with my ongoing professional development, reflects my continued commitment to lifelong learning and to created educational experiences that are responsive, relevant, and transformative for adult learners.

Sexton, Mitchell

Mitchell Sexton

Part-time Instructor

Education
D.Arts in English Pedagogy, Murray State University
Ed.S. in Instructional Technology, Valdosta State University
M.Ed. in Reading Specialist Education, Georgia Southern University
B.S. in Middle Grades Education, College of Coastal Georgia

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Composition and rhetoric, information literacy, American literature, life-writing, teaching English as a second language, computer-assisted language learning, the Science of Reading, Universal Design for Learning, and instructional technology for writing instruction.

Craig, Debra

Debra Craig

Part-time Instructor

Education
Over 40 years of professional working with clay: teaching, exhibiting potter, workshop leader, instructor of ceramics, studio manager. Studied ceramics at the University of Georgia as well as a summer semester in Cortona, Italy.

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
I am a professional potter who teaches and consistently works in clay. I participate in two local exhibits a year locally, through the Glynn Art Association, St. Simons Island, GA, and two exhibits in North Georgia. I teach workshops at the Sautee Folk Pottery Museum Pottery Studio (June 2025), and I am scheduled to teach in May 2026.

Bennett, Kathleen

Kathleen Bennett

Part-time Director of Field Experience, Certification & Outreach

Education
Ph.D. in Special Education with an emphasis on High Incidence Disabilities, The University of Georgia, 2011-2016
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education, University of West Georgia, 2009-2010
B.A. Special Education, University of North Florida, 2001-2005

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Gambrell, J.A., & Bennett, K.E. (2024) Breaking the teacher shortage barrier: Impacts of COVID-19 on recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals seeking licensure. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 17(4), 251-265.

Bessette, H., & Bennett, K. (2021). Supporting High Quality Teacher Preparation: Results from a Mentoring Program for Special Education Faculty: Two Years Later. The Advocate, 27(1) https://doi.org/10.4148/2637-4552.1162

Bessette, H., & Bennett, K. (2021). Integrating Modeling of High-Leverage Practices and Culturally Responsive Practice in the Preparation of Preservice Special Education Teachers. Critical Issues in Teacher Education, 28, Spring, 4-12.

Waters, John

John Waters

Part-time Faculty, Marketing

Education
B.S. Business Administration, Fordham University
M.B.A. Business Administration, New York University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
I’m a marketing content writer who is also a strategist. I teach my students how to deliver polished, professional writing that adds strength to their marketing efforts and sets them apart. As a lifelong marketer, I utilize my understanding of strategy to teach students how to engage an audience and build trust in order to create customer loyalty.

Morris, Saroyi

Saroyi Morris

Part-time Faculty, Accounting

Education
DrPH in Leadership, Georgia Southern University
M.H.S. in Healthcare Administration, Georgia Southern University, Armstrong
B.S. in Biology, PennWest California (formerly California University of Pennsylvania)

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Saroyi’s teaching interests center on U.S. healthcare systems, public health practice, and project management, with an emphasis on preparing students for real-world application and workforce readiness.

Brookman, Wilma

Wilma Brookman

Part-time Instructor

Education
Specialized Certificate in Children’s Book Writing, University of California San Diego, 2023-2025
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading, University of Virginia, 2005-2008
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, James Madison University, 1978-1982
Ferrum Junior College, 1977-1978

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
My teaching philosophy centers on creating future teachers that are curious and can think critically, while enhancing problem solving skills through learning that is interactive and student-centered. Creating an environment that is inclusive, and encourages enriching discussions while promoting student growth, is paramount for me. I can be found researching the dynamics of effective teachers that position themselves to become positive forces in their field. Along with this research, I have recently completed a specialized certificate in Children’s Book Writing, and have published my first children’s book.

Woods, Lauren

Lauren Woods

Part-time Instructor of History

Education
Ph.D. in History (in progress), Liberty University
M.A. in History, Liberty University
B.A. in History, East Carolina University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Lauren’s interests include United States History from the Gilded Age and post-Reconstruction South through the Progressive Era, World War I, the interwar period, World War II, and the political, economic, and social development of modern America, with emphasis on Henry M. Flagler.

Fusco, Julie

Julie Fusco

Julie Fusco

Lecturer of Anatomy and Physiology

Education
MS in Human Anatomy & Physiology Instruction, Northeast College of Health Sciences
BS in Human Physiology, Boston University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
I am interested in all things related to Human Physiology, but I have a specific fondness for muscles and bones. My hope every semester is get at least one convert that finds the same fascination with how the body works that I have.

Brooks-Harvey, Katie Beth

Dr. Katie Beth Brooks-Harvey

Assistant Professor of English

Education
Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing, Virginia Tech
M.A. in English, Virginia Tech
B.A. in English, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Dr. Katie Beth Brooks-Harvey is a rhetoric and writing scholar whose work tends to focus on writing pedagogy, writing practices, Appalachian Studies, and place-based writing. She teaches first-year writing, technical writing, literature, and American Studies courses at CCGA. In Fall 2024, she published “A Historiographic Account of Stereotypes, Ideology, and Education in an Appalachian Region” with the Journal of Appalachian Studies. She has a chapter titled “My Dolly Parton Prayer Candle” in a forthcoming edited collection titled “Writing Artifacts.”