Archives: Staff Members

Dibba, Baboucarr

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.

Hoylman, William

William Hoylman

Part-time Instructor

Education
B.A. in Political Science, University of North Florida
M.A.T. in Education, Jacksonville University
M.P.A. in Public Administration, Valdosta State University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
My primary focus while in college was in Political Science and Constitutional Law. My major research interests are in constitutional law and the operations of the American Government at all levels.

Brady, Clyde

Clyde Brady

Part-time Instructor

Education
BA Land Use Management, Metropolitan State University of Denver
MA Geography, University of Denver
MBA Project Management, Brenau University

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
I am currently pursuing a certificate in Education Design and Information Technology at the University of Georgia. I am specifically interested in ways to enhance geographical online education with emphasis on regional distributions of cultural aspects associated with poverty and wealth.

Wallace, Andrea

Andrea Wallace

Part-time Instructor

Education
Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry, Clemson University
M.S. Inorganic Chemistry, Clemson University
B.S. Chemistry, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
I am interested in development of curriculum which promotes student success in chemistry.

Professional Development/Scholarship:

• Book Groups – “Small Teaching”, “Creating the Path to Success in the Classroom”, “Grading for Equity”, etc. (Summer 2021-Summer 2023)
• “Course Design for the CCGA Student”, Co-presenter, Fall Launch (August 2022)
• FLAMENet Conference, Emory University, Atlanta, GA (May 2022)
• GACTE Meeting, Atlanta, GA (February 2020)
• GACTE Meeting, Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville, GA (November 2019)
• 2019 GaPSC Certification and Program Officials Conference, Macon, GA (October 2019)
• G2C Meeting, Macon, GA (October 2019)
• CAEP PLC, Atlanta, GA (September 2019)
• G2C National Meeting, Atlanta, GA (March 2019)
• Momentum Year Summit and New USG Deans and Chairs Meeting, Peachtree City, GA (February 2019)
• 2018 STEM Summit, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA (October 2018)
• USG Gateways to Completion Conference, Macon, GA (October 2018)
• USG Advising Academy in Stone Mountain, GA. (September 2018)
• 2018 VIPEr Content Building Workshop, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI (June 2018)
• “Chemistry with Kids: Students Become the Teachers”, Student Poster Presentation, Symposium for Service-Learning, CCGA (April 2017)
• “Organic Chemistry Lab Students Solidify their Knowledge of Basic Laboratory Concepts by Designing and Facilitating Hands-On Chemistry Experiments at the Boys & Girls Club, Poster Presentation, Dalton State 8th Annual Teaching and Learning Conference in Dalton, GA (March 2017)
• “Development of Service-Learning Introductory Chemistry course for Culinary Arts Students”, Poster and Oral Presentation, Symposium for Service-Learning and Undergraduate Research, CCGA (April 2015)
• cCWCS workshop on Distance Learning & Hybrid Teaching in Atlanta, GA. (April 2015)
• “Frequent Assessment Does It Make a Difference in Student Learning” and “Development of Service-Learning Introductory Chemistry Course for Culinary Arts Students”, Two Poster Presentations, National American Chemical Society Meeting in Denver, CO (March 2015)
• National Symposium on Student Retention hosted by the Consortium on Student Retention and Data Exchange (CSRDE) in San Diego, CA (November 2013)
• NSF sponsored cCWCS workshop “Implementing iPads in the Chemistry Curriculum” in Atlanta, GA (January 2013)
• ACE Leadership Academy for Department Chairs in Chicago, IL (October 2012)
• Presenter for Educatio\n for Sustainability (EfS) Summer Teaching Institute Sponsored by Honeywell Hometown Solutions (June 2012 and 2013)
• “Introducing and Implementing the Principles of Green Chemistry”, Poster Presentation at National ACS Meeting in San Diego, CA (March 2012)
• NSF sponsored Green Chemistry Workshop at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon (July 2011)
• National NACADA Conference in Orlando, FL (October 2010)
• NSF sponsored cCWCS Nucleic Acids Workshop in Atlanta, GA (May 2010)
• “Promoting Frequent Assessment to Improve Student Learning”, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA (March 2009)
• Pre-Health Advisors Conference at Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA. (September 2008, September 2004, November 2000, October 1996)
• The Birthplace and Early History of the Atomic Bomb, Chautauqua Course, Albuquerque, NM (October 2007)
• 2007 NACADA Georgia Conference at Coastal Georgia Community College in Brunswick, GA (March 2007)
• PRISM Workshop (NSF funded) on ISCI 2001/2002, Macon State College, Macon, GA (February 2007)
• NSF Workshop on “Guided Inquiry in the Organic Chemistry Lab”, University of California at Irvine (July 2005)
• National Science Teachers Association National Convention, World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA (April 2004)
• Academic Administrators Workshop, Georgia Center, UGA, Athens, GA (March 2003)
• “Predicting Success in General Chemistry at Community College”, 54th Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, SC (November 2002)
• “A QUE Organic Chemistry Collaborative Project, 54th Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Charleston, SC (November 2002)
• “Teaching and Learning in Science and Mathematics”, Atlanta, GA (October 2002)
• QUE (Quality in Undergraduate Education) National Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland (September 2002)
• QUE (Quality in Undergraduate Education) Retreat with AASU chemistry faculty, Jekyll Island, GA (May 2002)
• “Learning Objectives for Sophomore Organic Chemistry, 223rd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Orlando, FL (April 2001)
• “Observations from a First Time WebAssign User”, 53rd Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemistry Society, Savannah, GA (September 2001)
• USG Teaching and Learning Conference, Georgia Center, UGA, Athens, GA (October 2001)
• “An Improved and Expanded Waters of Hydration Lab”, 78th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science, Brunswick, GA (March 2001) and 52nd Southeast / 56th Southwest Combined Regional Meeting of the American Chemistry Society, New Orleans, LA (December 2000)
• “Incorporating Small-Scale Chemistry Experiments in to the General Chemistry Laboratory”, 219th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Francisco, CA (March 2000)
• 77th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA (March 2000)
• “The Chemistry of a Lake: A Practical Course for Non-Science Majors”, 76th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science, Lawrenceville, GA (March 1999)
• Pre-Pharmacy Advisors Meeting, Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA (March 1999, April 1997, March 1996)
• 2YC3 Summer Instrumentation Institute on the use of Gas Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography, and Mass Spectrometry in Environmental Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA (July 1999)
• Pre-Pharmacy Advisors Meeting, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (October 1999, October 1997)
• USG Teaching and Learning Conference, Atlanta, GA (November 1999)
• Georgia Two-Year College Conference, Jekyll Island, GA (November 1998)
• Georgia Science and State Fair Director’s Meeting, Mercer University, Macon, GA (August 1998)
• 2nd Annual Southeast Georgia P-16 Showcase of Best Practice, Coastal Georgia Community College, Brunswick, GA (September 1998)
• “Student Email and Chemistry Software”, Teaching and Learning Institute, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA (June 1998)
• “CBL Workshop” Coastal Georgia Community College, Brunswick, GA (June 1998)
• Small-Scale Chemistry for Pollution Prevention in General Chemistry Instruction, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (June 1998)
• Teaching and Learning Institute, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA (June 1998)
• Workshop on Innovative Chemistry Laboratories via GSAMS at Coastal Georgia Community College, Brunswick, GA (May 1998)
• “College Chemistry Students Become Hands-One Chemistry Instructors”, 75th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science, Savannah, GA (April 1998)
• “Connecting Middle School Students and College Chemistry Students in Coastal Georgia”, 215th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Dallas, TX (April 1998)
• “Introduction to Creating World Wide Web Pages with Hypertext”, OIIT Course, OIIT Training Center, Macon, GA. (March 1998)
• National Academic Advising Association, Jekyll Island, GA (March 1998)
• “Out-of-Class Polymer Activity for an Introductory Chemistry Class”, 49th Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Roanoke, VA (October 1997)
• “National Chemistry Week Poster Presentation as a Class Project”, 74th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science, Carrollton, GA (April 1997)
• Microscale Laboratory Workshop in Organic Chemistry at The National Microscale Chemistry Center, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA (June 1997)
• “Using Videotape, Distance Learning, and a Site Visit to Enhance the Organic Laboratory Experience”, 212th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Orlando, FL (August 1996)
• 73rd Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science, Albany, GA (April 1996)
• Two Year College Chemistry Consortium (2YC3) Summer Instrumentation, The University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio (June 1996)
• 46th Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Birmingham, AL (October 1994)
• Microscale Chemistry Laboratory Workshop at the University of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV (August 1994)
• “C-H-E-M-I-S-T-R-Y: A Chemical Demonstration Presented to Elementary Students by College Students”, 45th Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Johnson City, TN (October 1993)
• AC2TA, Alabama College Chemistry Teachers Association, 4-H Center, Columbiana, AL (October 1993)
• 205th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Denver, CO (March 1993)
• “Ground and Excited State Properties of Mixed-Metal Complexes and Their Corresponding Ion Pairs”, 39th Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Orlando, FL (November 1987)
• “Ground and Excited State Properties of Mono- and Bimetallic Complexes of Ru(II) and Fe(II)”, 38th Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Louisville, KY (November 1986)
• “2,3-Bis(2’-pyridyl)pyrazine as a Bridging Ligand in Mono- and Bimetallic Complexes of Ruthenium (II)”, 37th Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Memphis, TN (October 1985)

PUBLICATIONS:
• “Bonding and MO Theory in Flavodiiron Nitrosyl Model Complexes – Foundation Level”, co-author, Virtual Inorganic Pedagogical Electronic Resource: A Community for Teachers and Students of Inorganic Chemistry, 2018.
• Refereed Published Abstract: “Promoting Frequent Assessment to Improve Student Learning” Andrea W. Wallace; SoTL Commons Conference, 2009, 73. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlcommons/SoTL/2009/73
• Refereed Published Abstract: “An Improved and Expanded Waters of Hydration Lab” Andrea W. Wallace; Georgia Journal of Science, 2001, 59, 58.
Refereed Published Abstract: “The Chemistry Of A Lake: A Practical Course for Non-Science Majors” Andrea W. Wallace; Georgia Journal of Science, 1999, 57, 50.
• “Chemistry Camp: A Fun and Educational Way to Spend a Summer Day” Richard H. Wallace, Andrea W. Wallace, and Alicia Eddings, In Chemistry: A Publication of the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates Program, 1999, 8(3), 20.
• Refereed Published Abstract: “College Chemistry Students Become Hands-On Chemistry Instructors” Andrea W. Wallace; Georgia Journal of Science, 1988, 56, 45.
• Refereed Published Abstract: “National Chemistry Week Poster Presentation as a Class Project” Andrea W. Wallace; Georgia Journal of Science, 1997, 55, 63.
• “Electrochemical and Photophysical Properties of Mono- and Bimetallic Ruthenium (II) Complexes” Andrea W. Wallace, W. Rorer Murphy, Jr.; and John D. Petersen, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 1989, 166, 47.

Rusk, Rebecca

Rebecca Rusk

Part-time Instructor, Criminal Justice, Public Policy & Management

Education
MPA in Public Administration, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA
BS in Office Administration and Technology, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA

Teaching and Research Interests / Recent Publications or Scholarly Output
Foundations in Public Administration, Organizational Theory and Behavior, Human Resource Management, Business Information Management, Public Administration and Community Based Organizations, Innovation in the Public Sector, Ethics in Public Administration, Government Budgeting and Finance, Grant Writing and Management, Business Communications, Public Communications, Conflict Management, Resource Development and Marketing for Non-Profits, Performance Analysis, Quantitative Methods

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.