Educational Leadership Doctoral Program
Fall 2015
CAROLINE ATKINS
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Current residence – Murray, Kentucky
Hometown – Paducah, Kentucky
Current job/position -- Director, Training Resource Center, a professional development and
continuing education program at Murray State University
Area of study/specialization -- Educational Leadership-Postsecondary
Title of dissertation – The Branch Campus Contribution to the Mission of the Main Campus
in Kentucky
What is next? -- Exploring leadership opportunities in higher education related to grant
oversight and development, adult learning, and diversity and inclusion.
GERALYN M. CAPLAN
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Current residence – Evansville, Indiana
Hometown – Elmwood Park, Illinois
Current job/position – Professor of Biology at Owensboro Community and Technical College
Area of study/specialization – Postsecondary Leadership
Title of dissertation – A Comparative Analysis Of Student Achievement & Retention In
Traditional And Online First Semester Anatomy & Physiology Courses
What is next? -- I am going to continue teaching anatomy and physiology at the community
college.
CINDY CLEMSON
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Current residence – Murray, Kentucky
Hometown – Pleasant Gap, Pennsylvania
Current job/position - Assistant Professor, Department of Adolescent, Career, and Special
Education, Murray State University
Area of study/specialization - Organizational Leadership
Title of dissertation – The Effect of a Student Success Seminar on Student Retention at a
Regional University
What is next? -- Began full-time faculty position at MSU in August 2015 after completing
Ed.D. in August 2015.
NICKIE COBB
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Current residence – Louisville, Kentucky
Hometown – Louisville, Kentucky
Current job/position – Currently I am the Lean and Six Sigma Workforce Trainer for
Jefferson Community & Technical College. I work with business and industry to customize
training and implementation of quality and productivity initiatives. In addition to
instruction I coordinate training projects for industry which includes technical and soft
skills upgrades.
Area of study/specialization -- Postsecondary Education
Title of dissertation – Overcoming Barriers to Admission in a Community College
What is next? -- I hope to continue working in workforce development in higher education.
KAY COMBS
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Current residence – Georgetown, Kentucky
Hometown – Growing up as a child, I lived in various places across the United States as well
as overseas. When my father retired from the service, we settled in Richmond, Kentucky,
where I completed High School. My father’s family is from eastern Kentucky and he felt
that Eastern Kentucky University and Richmond, Kentucky, would be a great place to settle
and raise a family.
Current job/position – Program Director, Bluegrass Community and Technical College –
Scott County Adult Education
Area of study/specialization - Organizational Leadership
Title of dissertation – The Factors Affecting Retention of Adult Basic Education Teachers in
Kentucky
What is next? -- I hope to expand on my research to provide professionalism and insight
into the career paths of adult educators. Also, I will pursue teaching at a University or
College level. During my doctoral work, I began my own business, KC Educational
Consulting. My hope is to expand the services currently offered and work toward growing
the consulting business. During my free time, I currently provide educational services to
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK) in Georgetown and provide grant-writing
services to various non-profits.
STACEY FORSYTHE
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Current residence - Bowling Green, Kentucky
Hometown - Versailles, Kentucky
Current job/position -- Assistant to the Dean, College of Health and Human Services/Adjunct
Professor
Area of study/specialization -- Student-Athlete Support Services
Title of dissertation -- The Impact of a Head Coaching Change on Intercollegiate StudentAthletes
What is next? -- Continue with Higher Education Administration and teaching Sport
Management Classes.
ALICIA COHEA’ GOLSTON
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Current residence – Bowling Green, Kentucky
Hometown – Memphis, Tennessee
Current job/position -- Interim Assistant Director for Housing and Residence Life
Area of study/specialization -- Higher Education Specialization: Student
Affairs Administration with an Emphasis in Residence Life and Emphasis
Title of dissertation – A Descriptive Study Of The Formation And Structure Of Behavioral
Intervention Teams At Colleges And Universities
What is next? -- Enjoying time with family, friends, and planning for the next professional
step.
LYNDA CARTWRIGHT-HARRISON
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Current residence – Bowling Green, Kentucky
Hometown – Clay, Kentucky
Current job/position -- Lead Teacher (Graduate Assistant) Kelly Autism Program
Area of study/specialization -- EdD in Educational Leadership, Secondary Education,
Certificate in Autism
Title of dissertation – Kentucky Middle School General Education Teachers: Perceptions On
Sensory Integration Of Students On The Autism Spectrum
What is next? -- I hope to be a consultant for special needs children and individuals with
autism; and to train educators and support staff about special needs individuals, with
emphasis on autism. Teach educators about special needs, especially autism.
GRETA JONES
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Current residence -- Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Hometown - Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Current job/position -- Commonwealth of Kentucky, Workforce Development Regional
Trade Facilitator
Area of study/specialization -- Organizational Leadership (Business)
Title of dissertation -- Ethical Decision Making: The Lived Experiences of African American
Women Leaders in Western Kentucky
What is next? -- Seeking position in Governor Elect Bevin's administration in Frankfort, also
will teach at college/university and will eventually re-open business: Great Grant$ - A fully
staffed grant preparation service to assist non-profit organizations
CORIE MORELL MARTIN
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Current residence - Woodbury, Kentucky
Hometown – Nashville, Tennessee
Current job/position -- Manager, Creative Web Services, WKU Public Affairs
Area of study/specialization -- Postsecondary Educational Leadership
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Title of dissertation -- Social Media Engagement and Collegiate Recruitment: An
Examination of the use of Social Networks in the College Recruitment and Student Choice
Processes
What is next? -- I am currently working on publication, presentation, and expansion
opportunities; spending time with family, and enjoying a little time off before coming back
strong in 2016!
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MILLI MCINTOSH
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Current residence – Bowling Green, Kentucky
Hometown – Chicago, Illinois
Current job/position -- Director of Human Resources for Simpson County Schools
Area of study/specialization -- Organizational Leadership
Title of dissertation – An Analysis Of The Financial Impact Of Certified and Classified
Employee Absenteeism Rates At A Mid-South Kentucky School District
What is next? -- As I swirl about, being turned by HIS guidance, I will do whatever HE
commands. I will listen; stand still and consider the wondrous works of GOD; for when I am
dispatched, I will shine! For I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me! Job 37Philippians 4.
JOY MENSER
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Current residence – Madisonville, Kentucky
Hometown – Benton, Kentucky
Current job/position – Radiography Program Director
Area of study/specialization -- Radiography
Title of dissertation – The Perfect Formula: Benchmarks that best predict retention in
selective admission programs.
What is next?-- I will entertain any opportunities, I hope God will place me where he wants
me to go.
MARTHA SALES
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Current residence – Bowling Green, Kentucky
Hometown – Franklin, Kentucky
Current job/position: Director of Western Kentucky University’s TRIO Programs
Area of study/specialization -- Postsecondary Administration
Title of dissertation -- An Examination Of Workplace Factors Associated With Job
Satisfaction Of Generation Y University Professional Staff
What is next? -- To obtain an Upper Level Administrative Higher Education Position
DAWN WINTERS
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Current residence – Bowling Green, Kentucky
Hometown –Centerville, Ohio
Current job/position – Program Director, ESLi at WKU and Instructor of English for WKU
Area of study/specialization -- Post-Secondary Educational Leadership
Title of dissertation – Success and the Other[ed] Woman: Examining the Persistence of
Female Students from Saudi Arabia
What is next? — I’ll keep working for ESLi as the Academic Coordinator for the company
and the local program director. My advocacy for non-native speakers of English in higher
education environments will continue!