(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - May 8, 2018) - - - Columbia State Community College announced today Dr. Dearl Lampley as the new vice president for the Williamson Campus and external services, and Ruth Ann (Cissy) Holt as the new vice president for student affairs.

Lampley, a Fairview native, currently serves as dean for the Science, Technology and Mathematics Division at Columbia State. He has been a faculty member at the college since 1998, has served as a program director and was the 2006-2008 Faculty Senate president. As dean, Lampley's duties included course development, academic program development, articulating with secondary and university partners and building relationships with industry partners. His foresight and guidance led to initiatives such as the Advanced Integrated Industrial Technology Associate of Applied Science degree, the Hampshire Unit School project-based learning program, STEM Girls events and fully-embedded college programs in high schools. Lampley has been instrumental in developing workforce training and educational programs for industry partners including GM, Proper Polymers, Tractor Supply, Tennessee Farm Bureau and Lee Company.

Lampley earned a bachelor's degree in animal science and vocational education and a master's degree in animal science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Lampley continued his education at East Tennessee State University where he obtained a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis. His dissertation, titled "Institutional Budget Function Allocations as Predictors of Performance Outcomes of Tennessee Public Community Colleges and Universities" was a longitudinal correlational study of higher education appropriations in relation to student success factors as identified in the performance funding formula. The American Association of University Administrators recognized the quality of his work by awarding Lampley with the 2018 Leo and Margaret Goodman-Malamuth Dissertation Award.

"Dr. Lampley is no stranger to Williamson County," said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. "His understanding of the county, his experience as a faculty member, department chair and dean and his work with the school systems and corporations in the county have provided him with experiences that are needed continue the development of the Williamson Campus and external services to meet the growing needs of the students and the community."

As the vice president for the Williamson Campus and external services, Lampley will be responsible for providing dynamic and strategic leadership for executive administration through collaborative leadership for strategic advancement of the Williamson Campus, workforce programs, economic development and partnerships; advancing college, community, and business relations and programs in Williamson County; developing and implementing an academic program in concert with the VP for academic affairs; developing and implementing student services in concert with the VP for student affairs that supports student communications, enrollment, engagement and development; and providing oversight for college initiatives in the development of apprenticeships, internships, co-op programs, workforce and business/industry and continuing education programs.

Holt, a Lawrenceburg native, currently holds the title of dean of access, southern campuses and regional services, and most recently assumed the role of interim vice president for student enrollment, engagement and services. In that role, her duties have included the oversight of athletics, enrollment services, testing, regional services and southern campuses, the Office of Adult Services and Reconnect, evening services for Columbia Campus, the TRiO program and the newly formed department of student engagement.

She began her career in higher education as an adjunct instructor of English in 1992, and has served in various roles including evening services coordinator, director of the Lawrence Campus, and later as director of the Lawrence and Clifton Campuses. In her role as the director of the Lawrence and Clifton Campuses, she continued to have oversight of all student services for the campuses including enrollment management, business services, testing, facilities, student conduct, community relations, development, safety and academic affairs. In 2016, she was named dean of regional services and southern campuses where her responsibilities included oversight of the Clifton, Lawrence and Lewisburg Campuses as well as building and expanding relationships in counties without permanent teaching locations.

Holt earned a bachelor's and master's degree in English from the University of North Alabama and completed post-graduate coursework through the University of Iowa. In addition, Holt earned an education specialist degree with an emphasis in higher education from Middle Tennessee State University. Holt is currently a doctoral candidate at Tennessee State University in educational leadership and administration.

"Ruth Ann "Cissy" Holt has effectively worked every office that is in the Student Affairs and is familiar with most every school system and counselor in the service area," Smith said. "She greets change as a mode of improving the college for student success. Her knowledge and experience combined with her love and care for the students is a formula for excellence in student services."

As the vice president for student affairs, Holt will be responsible for providing dynamic and strategic leadership for the development and implementation of a successful student services program; continually assessing processes and procedures for ease and effectiveness of services, and for implementation of automated technology processes that provide and ensure timely communications with students, and efficiencies of personnel; building teams that advance the implementation of the college's strategic plan; providing enrichment, engagement and student programs that augment the student's learning experience; ensuring compliance with federal, state and institutional laws, regulations, reports, surveys and accreditation matters relative to student affairs; and providing leadership for a safe student environment conducive to learning that contributes to the intellectual, emotional, academic and professional development of students through initiatives that increase classroom, campus and community engagement.


Photo Caption: Dr. Dearl Lampley


Photo Caption: Ruth Ann (Cissy) Holt.

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