College Committees

Advising Committee: Chair - Carolyn Porter

Advising of students is central to the college’s mission. This cross-functional committee of staff and faculty meets regularly to discuss issues related to academic advising. The committee maintains a clearinghouse of best practices in academic advising, updates the college's advising manual, guides training for new advisors, and facilitates professional development for experienced advisors.

  • Melissa Allison
  • Scott Baker
  • Thom Brooks, (ex-officio)
  • William Brothers
  • Christy Deaver
  • Jim Hippensteel
  • Patty Kirkley
  • Debra Klavohn
  • Eddie Lunsford
  • Barb Putman
  • Jason Sain
  • Phil Weast
  • Diane English - Fac. Senate

Commencement Committee: Chair - Thom Brooks

This cross-functional committee of staff and faculty has the primary charge to organize, communicate, and provide the framework for the commencement ceremony.

  • Scott Baker
  • Peter Buck
  • Betsy Clayton
  • Christy Deaver
  • Rose Garrett
  • Owen Gibby
  • Deb Klavohn
  • Barb Putman
  • Chuck Reece
  • Wayne Sutton
  • Meg Petty - Fac. Senate

SCC Cares Committee: Co-Chairs: Kim Argo, Cheryl Contino-Conner

The purpose of the Community Service Committee is to facilitate volunteer opportunities for interested faculty, staff, and students who wish to contribute to their communities. The committee will identify and coordinate participation of college employees in one or two larger community service projects each year.

  • Melissa Allison
  • Scott Baker
  • Mary Bennett
  • Thom Brooks
  • Barbara Connell
  • Delia Frederick
  • Sonja Haynes
  • Danell Moses
  • Barb Putman
  • Michael Rich
  • Sheri Turk
  • Nancie Wilson
  • Debbie Ray - Fac. Senate

Critical Incident Response Planning Team: Chair - Chuck Reece

This group is charged with providing leadership in the event of a critical incident on campus. Emphasis is placed on prevention, and communication for the campus if an event were to occur.

  • Thom Brooks 
  • Jeff Brush
  • Peter Buck
  • Janet Burnette
  • Chris Cabe
  • Rene' Clontz
  • Curtis Dowdle
  • Ryan Schwiebert
  • Henry Stephens 
  • Phil Weast
  • Ashley Cunningham - Fac. Senate 

Curriculum & Instruction Committee: Chair - Andrea Kennedy 

The Curriculum and Instruction Committee is responsible for reviewing matters related to the operation of the college's educational (curriculum) programs. Some of the specific duties of the committee are to make recommendations regarding the approval of new programs, the approval of curriculum revisions for existing programs and to provide guidance/positions on related academic matters.

  • Scott Baker 
  • Thom Brooks (ex-officio)
  • Betsy Clayton
  • Cheryl Contino-Conner
  • Cheryl Davids
  • Christy Deaver
  • Mitch Fischer
  • Melody Lawrence
  • Delos Monteith
  • Diane Page
  • Fairley Pollock
  • Ron Poor 
  • Barb Putman
  • Kirk Stephens
  • Terry Tolle
  • Phil Weast
  • Matt Cass - Fac. Senate  

Disciplinary Review Committee: Chair - Debra Klavohn

The Disciplinary Review Committee may serve as the Student Grievance Committee for Non-academic Matters or, at the direction of the president, a new committee may be formed for each grievance. The committee makeup and method of appointment will be the same as for the Disciplinary Review Committee. This committee will not address academic complaints about grades, methods of instruction, or routine classroom policies and/or procedures.

  • Melissa Allison-Brooks 
  • Thom Brooks, (ex-officio)
  • Kelly Burch
  • Fairley Pollock
  • Phil Weast
  • Three Student Representatives - TBA

E-Learning Committee: Chair - Linda Venturo

The E-Learning Committee will provide guidance and support for instructor, student, and course effectiveness in online and hybrid modalities. This will include the development and enhancement of processes and practices to support the successful implementation of Instruction and Student Service e-learning objectives. The successful implementation of those objectives assures effectively developed courses, appropriately prepared students, and adequately supported instructors.

  • Kenet Adamson
  • Linda Aiken
  • Scott Baker
  • Thom Brooks, ex-officio
  • Delia Frederick
  • Elizabeth Haynes 
  • Debra Klavohn
  • Toni Knott
  • Deanne Oppermann
  • Barb Putman
  • Kimberly Rice
  • Wesley Satterwhite
  • Dawn Wick
  • No appointee - Fac. Senate

Ethnic and Gender Diversity Committee: Chair - Bucky Dann

This committee is primarily responsible for the compliance and reporting of diversity activities. Diversity is based on better understanding and tolerance of the cultural heritage, perspectives, viewpoints and experiences of others.

  • Linda Aiken
  • Keith Ashe
  • Kathleen Breedlove
  • Brian Kane 
  • Jeff Marley
  • Delos Monteith
  • No appointee - Fac. Senate

Health and Safety Committee:  Chair - Chuck Reece

The Health and Safety Committee is a college-wide advisory committee. The committee has responsibility for periodic reviews of college safety programs including the Safety Plan, Chemical Hygiene Program, Infectious Disease/Exposure Control Program, Hazard Communication Program, Lockout/Tagout of Hazardous Energy, and Forklift Operator Safety Program. The committee serves as a venue for discussion of safety concerns.

  • Tony Belcher
  • Laurie Butler
  • Chris Cabe
  • Rene Clontz
  • Curtis Dowdle
  • Anthony Henson
  • Eric Hester
  • Andrea Kennedy
  • Debra Klavohn, Exposure Control Plan Program Coordinator
  • Erin McManus
  • Deanne Oppermann, Chemical Hygiene Officer 
  • Henry Stephens
  • Barbara Connell - Fac. Senate
  • Student Rep, John Baldwin

Health and Safety Sub-Committee: Chemical Hygiene
*Chair / Chemical Hygiene Officer - Deanne Oppermann

Subjects addressed include, but are not limited to, minimization of stored chemicals, hazardous chemical disposal, laboratory health and safety issues, and regulatory compliance.

  • Dale Hall
  • Brian Kane
  • Eddie Lunsford
  • Todd Moses
  • Gloria Painter, JCEC rep
  • Trevor Rundle

*Due to significant or inherent hazards, certain chemical experiments or procedures may require prior approval. Prior approval for the purchase of a chemical or the exercise of a procedure or experiment shall be the responsibility of the Chemical Hygiene Officer

Institutional Effectiveness Committee:  Chair - Delos Monteith 

The Institutional Effectiveness Committee is responsible for providing input into institutional effectiveness methodology, survey design and content and related matters. The Committee is primarily advisory and all recommendations from the Committee are forwarded to the President’s Cabinet for review and action.

  • Scott Baker 
  • Toni Holland
  • Debra Klavohn
  • Diania McRae
  • Barb Putman
  • Eric Sarratt
  • Ryan Schwiebert
  • Hilary Seagle
  • Scott Sutton
  • Phil Weast
  • Mitch Fischer - Fac. Senate

Institutional Review Board: Chair - Barb Putman

The Institutional Review Board performs critical oversight functions for college research projects involving human subjects that are scientific, ethical, or regulatory in nature. In accordance with the Research Act of 1973, members will meet on an as needed basis to make informed decisions on whether various research projects of the college are ethical, informed consent is sufficient, and appropriate safeguards have been put in place.

  • Bucky Dann
  • Delos Monteith
  • Fairley Pollock
  • Robbie Pittman - (community member)
  • Julie Voorhees

Jackson County Early College Steering Committee: Chair - Raylene Bryson

The Jackson County Early College Steering Committee is a joint effort between SCC and Jackson County Schools to provide advisory and planning support for the Jackson County Early College.

  • Thom Brooks
  • Chris Cox
  • Erin McManus
  • Barb Putman
  • Chuck Reece
  • Cindy Thompson
  • Sheri Turk 
  • Phil Weast
  • Vance Waggener - Fac. Senate

Marketing Committee: Chair - Rose Garrett

Marketing is about creating a lifetime relationship with target audiences. This committee is charged with determining ways to sustain and steadily grow positive awareness and appreciation of the college, its services and its place in the community today and in the future.

  • Scott Baker
  • Dominique Benson
  • Thom Brooks
  • Janet Burnette
  • Cheryl Contino Conner
  • Lisa Fisher
  • Sonja Haynes
  • Jeff Marley
  • Ryan Schwiebert
  • Patty Wall

President's Cabinet: Chair - President

The President’s Cabinet is the primary decision making body of the college. This group is comprised of the college president and all college vice-presidents.

  • Thom Brooks
  • Janet Burnette
  • Sonja Haynes
  • Delos Monteith
  • Ryan Schwiebert

President’s Council: Chair – Tony Belcher

The President's Council is designed to provide broad-based participation in the college planning process. Chairmanship of the committee will be rotated with chair serving a one-year term. This group primarily serves in an advisory capacity.

  • Don Thomas
  • Chuck Reece
  • Scott Baker 
  • Thom Brooks
  • Sonja Haynes
  • Janet Burnette
  • Cheryl Contino-Conner
  • Rose Garrett
  • Sonja Haynes
  • Bob Holt
  • Debra Klavohn
  • Dianne Lindgren
  • Delos Monteith
  • Gene Norton
  • Barb Putman
  • Ryan Schwiebert
  • Kimi Stevens
  • Tony Belcher
  • Scott Sutton
  • Julie Voorhees
  • Phil Weast
  • Elizabeth Haynes - Fac. Senate

Professional Development Committee:  Chair - Debra Klavohn

This cross-functional committee will provide advice and guidance on major initiatives associated with professional development.

  • Tony Belcher
  • Kelly Burch
  • William Brothers
  • Susan Cain
  • Tracy Chapple
  • Cheryl Contino-Conner Delia Frederick
  • Jennifer Hippensteel
  • Dennis Keough
  • Melody Lawrence
  • Hilary Seagle
  • Cindy Thompson
  • Jeanette White
  • Mary Bradley - Fac. Senate

SACS Committee: Chair - Thom Brooks

The committee will be responsible for preparing the SACS Fifth-Year Interim Report for Southwestern Community College.

  • Scott Baker
  • Christy Deaver
  • Elizabeth Haynes
  • Jennifer Hippensteel
  • Dennis Keough
  • Deb Klavohn
  • Melody Lawrence
  • Dianne Lindgren
  • Jeff Marley
  • Delos Monteith
  • Barb Putman
  • Chuck Reece
  • Patty Wall
  • Phil Weast

Student Life Committee: Chair – Phil Weast 

The Student Life Committee is responsible for the development and oversight of Student Life and Student Activities programming at the college. The committee has responsibility for developing an annual calendar of student life and activity events and will assist in monitoring the spending of the Student Activity fees paid by students. The committee will have oversight of the formation and activities of student clubs and organizations. Committee membership includes representation from students, faculty and staff. 

  • Scott Baker 
  • Dominique Benson
  • Thom Brooks
  • Cheryl Contino-Conner
  • Ceretta Davis
  • Jim Hippensteel
  • Bob Keeling
  • Dianne Lindgren
  • Chuck Reece
  • Wayne Sutton
  • Paul Wolf
  • Jody Woodring
  • Penny Wells - Fac. Senate
  • Students TBA

Student Success Committee: Co-chairs - Barb Putman, Phil Weast

The college is actively involved in efforts to improve student engagement and success. This cross-functional group will change focus on planning and reviewing strategies for improving the quality of students’ experiences from inquiry to graduation. The group will review student retention and persistence statistics, enrollment indicators of attrition and student engagement survey results and will develop strategies for improvement where needed.

  • Scott Baker 
  • Dominique Benson
  • Mary Bradley
  • Thom Brooks
  • Janet Burnette
  • Cheryl Contino-Conner
  • Christy Deaver
  • Jennifer Forrester
  • Elizabeth Haynes
  • Dennis Keough
  • Patty Kirkley
  • Debra Klavohn
  • Delos Monteith
  • Fairley Pollock
  • Carolyn Porter
  • Amy Russ
  • Robin Whitley
  • No appointee - Fac. Senate

Technology Committee:  Chair - Ryan Schwiebert

This cross-functional committee will provide advice and guidance on major initiatives associated with instruction and student related technology. This committee is not intended to replace the ongoing operations within the IT Department.

  • Scott Baker 
  • Pam Bell
  • Kurt Berger
  • Thom Brooks
  • Jeff Brush
  • Buddy Ellis
  • Dennis Keough
  • Debra Klavohn
  • David Kochersberger
  • Barb Putman
  • Tim Quiring
  • Matt Reynolds 
  • Phil Weast
  • Julie Voorhees
  • Scott Cline - Fac. Senate

Wellness Committee: Chair - Tracy Chapple

The Wellness Committee attends to the wellness program designed to enrich the physical, mental, emotional, occupational, and spiritual well-being for college employees.

  • Peter Buck
  • Dianne English
  • Dianna Gilbert
  • Annette Kesgen
  • Patti Kirkley
  • Vance Waggener
  • Ken Wheeler
  • Susan Cain - Fac. Senate

Writing Across Curriculum (QEP Committee):  Co-Chairs - Barb Putman, Jennifer Hippensteel 

The Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) committee provides oversight of the College's WAC program in collaboration with the faculty, staff, and administrators involved with SACS Quality Enhancement Plan design, implementation, and reporting. As the WAC program becomes integrated with instructional and academic support operations, this committee will take on an advisory role.

  • Darlene Anderson
  • Chris Cox
  • Christy Deaver
  • Susan Kimel
  • Toni Knott 
  • Vickie Lepore
  • Eddie Lunsford
  • Delos Monteith
  • Meg Petty
  • Matt Reynolds
  • Sheri Turk
  • Diania McRae - Fac. Senate

College Information System Committee (CORE Team): Chair – Buddy Ellis

This committee is charged with discussing and planning functions related to the college’s information system. The primary goal of this committee is to discuss the impact of purchased modules and software so that the appropriate plans can be made for their implementation.

  • Thom Brooks

  • Claudia Buchannan

  • Janet Burnette

  • Cheryl Davids

  • Christy Deaver

  • Sonja Haynes

  • Melody Lawrence

  • Melissa Medlin

  • Delos Montieth

  • Karen Polyasko

  • Ryan Schwiebert

  • Phil Weast