WHET Executive Board

Working as the Assistant Academic Dean at Motlow State’s Smyrna campus, provided the framework for Elizabeth White’s firm belief in being a Service Leader. Dedicated to academic excellence, collaboration, and cohesiveness, White is deeply committed to providing service to the public, as well as promoting lifelong education, and innovative workforce development programs which expand and stimulate economic growth and sustainability within the community.

White earned a B.A. degree in Philosophy from Oglethorpe University; a B.S. degree in Special Education, a M.A. degree in Education, and an Ed. S. degree in Curriculum and Instruction were earned from MTSU. As a lifelong learner, she is currently working on her Ed. D. in Leadership and Policy at the University of Memphis. Prior to White’s twenty years of experience in the field of education, she worked in sales/marketing for Georgia-Pacific Corporation and Union Camp Corporation.

She resides in the bustling, thriving city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with her husband, Kenny, and is the proud parent of their son, Alex, a recent MTSU graduate. Outside of work, White’s passions include writing, reading, and walking with her beloved Doxie, Hayward.

Dr. Banks has been a champion for change in the higher education field since August 2007. She is currently the Executive Director for the Black College Fund – the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. In this role, Crystal partners with the Assistant General Secretary to advance the promotion, interpretation, and fundraising efforts for the 11 United Methodist-related historically Black schools, colleges and universities. Prior to serving as Executive Director, Crystal worked in the staffing industry, serving as an operations and branch manager for JC Malone Associates in Lebanon, Tennessee and Snelling Personnel Services in Louisville, Ky.

Crystal is also responsible for the activities of the Ethnic Concerns Committee, management of the Ethnic In-Service Training Grant and oversight of the Lina H. McCord Summer Internship Program. As a part of the Diversity and Inclusion team, she focuses on best practices, leadership development, emotional intelligence, organizational change and fostering an inclusive work environment.

Crystal earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Louisville in Kentucky, Master of Business Administration from Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee and recently completed her doctorate in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN.

Crystal serves as a board member of Women in Higher Education in Tennessee (WHET), is an active member of Nashville CABLE – a leadership organization for women’s professional advancement, National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Metro Nashville Chapter, Inc., Order of the Eastern Star, PHA and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Nashville Alumnae Chapter.

Diane is a member of the TBR team and has served with WHET for over ten years.  We are excited to have Diane on the Board as recording secretary.

Alice Camuti is the Associate Dean for the College of Graduate Studies at Tennessee Technological University located in Cookeville. This is her third year serving on the WHET board. Alice has worked at TTU for over 18 years and has held positions in Career Services, the College of Business, and Advancement.

She holds a BA degree in Marketing from California State University, an MBA in Management from Golden Gate University, and a PhD in Exceptional Learning from Tennessee Tech.

She resides in Cookeville with husband Andy and her two cats.

Dr. Phyllis D. Adams has more than 42 years of experience as a professional communicator and educator. She received both the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Speech Communications and Theatre from Tennessee State University. Dr. Adams holds the rank of full Professor of Speech and Theatre at Motlow State Community College and served recently as Curriculum Chair of Humanities. In May 2001, she was awarded the Doctorate Degree in Education Administration from Vanderbilt University, with a specific emphasis in Educational Leadership. Dr. Adams is a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and a Phi Kappa Phi Distinguished Alumni, American Society of University Professors, National Alliance of Black School Educators, and WHET’s 2008 recipient of the June Anderson Award for Outstanding Contributions in Promoting Equality for Women in Higher Education. In 2010 and 2019, Dr. Adams was nominated by Motlow State Community College for Faculty of the Year. In February 2020, Middle Tennessee State University bestowed the Unsung Hero Award to Dr. Adams, in recognition of her Outstanding Contributions to Black Arts for the Middle Tennessee Community.

Dr. Adams is a Nashville native, but currently resides in Manchester, Tennessee. Faith and family are her foundation, and she attributes all that she is to her incredible parents. The lessons they taught, the stories  shared, and the lives they lived, truly prepared Dr. Adams to be a “servant leader,” and the preserver of history and traditions, thus giving her the love and passion of helping to tell the story of WHET, as the organization’s Historian. Dr. Adams enjoys traveling, reading, helping others, and constantly embraces the role of “life-long-student.”

Laura Horton has been employed with the University of Tennessee Space Institute for 28 years where she serves as a Media Specialist II. She represents many different departments from the UTSI official photographer, VOLs Card department, and the Distance Education department. She handles the logistics portion for the students as well as a videographer for four classrooms in the Distance Education department.

Her photographs have been published in the TN Alumnus magazine, Tullahoma and Manchester Chamber of Commerce magazines, the College of Engineering Directory, as well as several photographs published for Public Relations in the surrounding county newspapers. She has photographs on permanent display at a local franchised grocery store and restaurant. She is the entrepreneur of a small photography business. She is also an official photographer for the Women for Higher Education of Tennessee. She is a proud mother of one son and lives in Tullahoma, TN. During her spare time she likes camping, kayaking and anything to do with the outdoors.

Ramona Wiggins, a  native of Nashville, is a Graduate Analyst at Tennessee State University in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. She is also a member of the Media Relations Committee, serving as photographer for special events. She received her M.Ed in Educational Leadership at Tennessee State University. Founder of Photos by Mona Photography Group, Ramona is a freelance photographer in the Nashville area, serving as the official photographer for Fisk Jazzy 88 Radio Station; photographs events for the National Museum of African American Music, Frist Art Museum, Jazz on the Cumberland events, and many more. Her work has been selected by the Frist Art Museum for a gallery opening in March 2019.

In addition to the WHET organization, Ramona is a member of several others including mentor for Mt. Zion’s Saving Our Daughters Ministry; lead teacher for Kingdom Kids Children’s Ministry; Media Chair for National Hook-Up of Black Women, Nashville Chapter; team member for The Equity Alliance; former member of LeadHer and Lydia Society.

Ramona enjoys adventures with her husband, John Wiggins and family gatherings, and serving the community with love by volunteering as needed.

Prior to joining Nashville State as the college’s president, Dr. Jackson was an associate vice president and chief operating officer of Columbia State Community College’s Williamson Campus in Franklin.  She  began her community college journey at Volunteer State Community College, where she had a life-changing moment when she realized the power that community colleges have “to transform lives.”

Dr. Jackson has more than 20 years of experience in higher education administration and nearly 12 years of full- and part-time teaching experience. She earned a doctor of education degree in administration and supervision at Tennessee State University, and a master in business administration and a bachelor of science in business administration, both from Florida A&M University.

Patricia Burks-Jelks has been employed with the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) in Tullahoma, TN for over 30 years where she serves as Director for Human Resources, Equity & Diversity Officer, and Compliance Officer. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Professional Studies, with an emphasis in Strategic Leadership. She is also a graduate of the UT Leadership Institute.

For a second stint, Patricia has recently been elected as President of Women in Higher Education in Tennessee (WHET). In conjunction with this appointment, the organization awarded her the “June Anderson Award” recognizing her “outstanding contributions in promoting equality for women in higher education.” She received this same award from the organization in 2012.

Patricia is the past President of the Highland Rim Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and continues to serve on this board in an advisory capacity. She is also a Past President of the Tennessee Chapter of the College and University Professional Association for HR (CUPA-HR). During her CUPA-HR leadership, she was awarded the “Meritorious Service Award” from Southern Region CUPA-HR recognizing her leadership and recognizing her as a pioneer for being the Tennessee chapter’s first African-American President. In her community, Patricia serves as Executive Director for the Franklin County Faith Based Recovery Coalition, a non-profit that supports individuals and families in recovery.

Dr. Lee is the Director of Recruitment for Motlow Smyrna Center. She is new to the Board and brings a spirit of enthusiasm and professionalism to the team.

LauraAnn Vaughn is the creator of SupportED Consultancy. SupportED serves those agencies, communities, districts, and individuals seeking guidance in the fields of education and special education. SupportED has the sincere goal to provide accurate and direct support services through professional development opportunities and solution-based approaches.

LauraAnn holds teaching licenses in the areas of special education and reading. She has a Master of Education in the area of Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State University and currently seeking a doctoral degree, in Educational Leadership for Organizations, at the University of Dayton. LauraAnn is an Adjunct Professor at Cleveland State University and Tennessee State University, instructing courses in the department of teaching and learning. Her enthusiasm, experience and expertise for education will lead you appropriately!

Dr. Turner-Jefferson is the Director of Operations (West) for the Tennessee Board of Regents. She is a seasoned educational leader with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Turner – Jefferson has worked in urban high schools passionately working to interrupt the cycle of poverty in underserved communities.

Skilled in Project Management, Training and Development, Program Design, Teaching, Public Speaking, Writing, Editing, and Curriculum Development. Strong education professional with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, Specialist and Doctorate Degree focused in Business Management (Marketing) and Educational Leadership.

Michelle is the Director of Finance at UTSI.