II. Organization and Administration
The Alabama State Board of Trustees
Southern Union Executive Council Members
Organizational Charts
Standing Committees and Guidelines
Southern Union State Community College Foundation
THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Governor Kay Ivey - President
Dr. Yvette Richardson - Ex Officio
Mr. Tim McCartney - At Large
Alabama Community College System
Chancellor - Mr. Jimmy Baker
Board of Trustees
District 1 - Mr. J.E.B Shell
District 2 - Mr. John Mitchell
District 3 - Ms. Valerie Gray
District 4 - Mr. Britton Lightsey
District 5 - Mr. Goodrich Rogers
District 6 - Mr. Ron Houston
District 7 - Mr. Llevelyn Rhone
Southern Union Leadership Team
President - Todd Shackett
B.S., GMI Engineering & Management Institute
M.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Mechanical Engineering)
M.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Operations Management)
Certificate, Stanford University (Executive Management)
Vice-President of Financial and Administrative Services - Ben Jordan
A.S., Southern Union State Junior College
B.S., University of Alabama
M.B.A., Auburn University
C.P.A., State of Alabama
Dean of Student Affairs - Derika Hodge
BS, Spelman College
MPA, Troy University
Dean of Academics - Linda North
B.S.N., Troy State University
M.S.N., University of Alabama at Birmingham
Ed.S., Troy State University at Montgomery
Ph.D., University of Alabama
Dean of Technical Education and Workforce Development - Eric Sewell
A.S., Gadsden State Community College
B.S. Auburn University
M.Ed., Auburn Univeristy
Ph.D., Arkansas State University
Dean of Health Sciences - Rhonda Davis
A.D.N., Southern Union State Junior College
B.S.N., Auburn University
M.S.N., Troy State University
Additional Graduate Studies, University of Alabama
Director of Human Resources/Senior Personnel Officer - Lakieshia Barnett
A.A.S., Southern Union State Community College
B.S., Faulkner University
MSM., Faulkner University
Executive Director of Advancement and Community Relations - Gretchen VanValkenburg
B.S., Auburn Univerisity
Executive Director of Facilities, Maintenance, and Transportation - Donnie Prater
B.S, Huntingdon College
Director of Public Safety/Chief of Campus Police - Jimmy Holmes
A.S., Southern Union State Community College
B.S, Columbia Southern University
Alabama Peace Officers Basic Training, Jacksonville State University Florida
Peace Officers Equivalency, Daytona Beach Community College
Executive Assistant to the President - Alison Osborn
A.A., Southern Union State Junior College
B.S, Troy University
Southern Union Associate Deans:
Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness - Robin Brown
A.S., Southern Union State Junior College B.S. and M. Ed., Auburn University
Associate Dean of Enrollment and Retention - Chris Franklin
B.A, M.A, Ed.D, The University of Alabama
Associate Dean of Student Affairs - Nick Jones
B.A., M.P.A, University of Central Florida
J.D, Florida A&M University
Organizational Charts
STANDING COMMITTEES AND GUIDELINES
Southern Union State Community College Standing Committees oversee specific areas related to the goals of the Strategic Plan. Each committee will have a designated chairperson and vice chairperson and will include members responsible for achievement of the strategic goals
College Assembly
The College Assembly serves as a committee of the whole for the discussion and dissemination of information regarding all college actions and matters.
Meeting Schedule:
Annually as called by President.
Membership:
- All full-time faculty and staff.
Administrative Council
The Administrative Council promotes communication through college wide updates reported by deans, program chairs, directors, and supervisors.
Meeting Schedule:
Each semester or as called by the Chair or Co-Chair.
Membership:
- President
- Program Chairs
- Program Directors
- Supervisors of Student Services and Student Development
- Athletic Director
- Public Relations Officer
Southern Union Leadership Team
The role of the Executive Council is to promote college wide communication; review and determine college policy within the framework of the Board of Trustees Policy; and review College goals and objectives as reflected in total college operation.
Meeting Schedule:
Weekly or as called by the President
Membership:
- President, Chair
- Vice President of Financial and Administrative Services
- Instructional Deans
- Dean of Student Affairs
- Director of Human Resources
- Executive Director of Advancement and Community Relations
- Executive Director of Facilities, Maintenance, and Transportation
- Director of Public Safety/Chief of Campus Police
Strategic Goal 1
Southern Union State Community College will increase attainment of student goals and meet relevant community needs by expanding innovative facilities and state-of-the-art technologies that will provide an overall quality experience in customer service, student engagement, and instructional services, establishing SUSCC as the best choice to meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.
Institutional Quality Committee
The Institutional Quality Committee ensures that the college meets its strategic goal of providing a quality experience establishing SUSCC as the best choice to meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders. The committee will oversee student recognition activities, support adjunct faculty, and ensure quality in distance education.
Meeting Schedule:
Once per semester (fall and spring), and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
Adjunct Committee Chair
Adult Education representative
Advisor
Assistant Director of Management Information Systems
Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness
Coordinator of Student Success
Dean of Academics
Dean of Health Sciences
Director of Distance Education
Director of Facilities, Maintenance, and Transportation
Faculty and Staff Teaching and Learning Committee Chair
Honors Committee Chair
Open Educational Resources Committee Chair
Quality Enhancement Plan Assessment Committee Chair
Vice President of Administration and Financ
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Adjunct Committee Meeting Schedule: Membership: |
Faculty representatives (7-8)
Staff representatives (1-2)
Distance Education Committee
The Distance Education Committee is responsible for recommending policies, procedures, and resources to enhance excellence in distance education. It focuses on fostering effective, innovative, and equitable teaching and learning experiences. The committee is dedicated to ensuring continuous improvement in student learning and success in the online environment.
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Meeting Schedule: Membership: Coordinator of Financial Aid
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Emergency Preparedness Committee
The committee's purpose is to ensure a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all campus community members. Annually, members review relevant federal, state, and ACCS guidelines, along with the College Emergency Preparedness Manual, to update policies and procedures. Professional development sessions will be organized for employees and students as needed. Campus police will conduct training sessions in classrooms and offices for both employees and students.
Meeting Schedule:
Each semester
Membership:
Assistant Chief of Campus Police
Director of Public Safety/Chief of Campus Police
Faculty representative from each instructional division
Human Resources representative
Maintenance representative
Management Information Systems representative
Representative from each campus
Student Affairs representative
Honors Committee
The Honors Committee selects and recognizes outstanding academic, concurrent, dual enrollment, and technical students at an annual recognition ceremony.
Meeting Schedule:
Once per semester (fall and spring), and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
Faculty representatives (6)
Human Resources representative
Staff representatives (5)
Institutional Effectiveness Committee
The Institutional Effectiveness Committee ensures that the institution systematically assesses its performance, uses data to inform decision-making, and implements strategies for continuous improvement, thereby enhancing the overall quality and success of the institution.
Meeting Schedule:
Once per semester (fall and spring), and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Chair
SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison
Unit Plan Coordinators
Open Educational Resources Committee
The Open Educational Resources (OER) Committee researches OER best practices to provide quality faculty resources for traditional and online students to help remove price barriers for students.
Meeting Schedule:
Once per semester (fall and spring), and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
Director of Learning Resource Center
Faculty representatives
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Assessment Committee
The QEP Assessment Committee analyzes data from the QEP to make necessary adjustments that enhance student success. The committee also collects, maintains, and evaluates QEP data to prepare the QEP Impact Report.
Meeting Schedule:
Quarterly, and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
Director of Distance Learning
QEP Lead
6-8 Faculty and Staff representatives
Scholarship/Financial Aid Committee
The Scholarship/Financial Aid Committee advises the financial aid department on disbursing and awarding institutionally controlled scholarships. It also reviews all financial aid appeals to assess whether extenuating circumstances justify extending Title IV aid eligibility to students who have not met minimum Standards of Academic Progress. Additionally, the committee regularly evaluates the appeal policy and procedures to recommend necessary adjustments.
Meeting Schedule:
As called by the chair.
Membership:
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Director of Financial Aid
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Strategic Goal 2
Southern Union State Community College will offer attainable, stackable degree pathways, including concurrent enrollment programs, designed to provide a qualified workforce to meet local and regional needs enabling students to achieve their academic and career goals. The College will work to ensure that these pathways are accessible, relevant, and responsive educational programs that meet the current needs of all stakeholders.
Academic Support Committee
The Academic Support Committee ensures that programs and certificates align with the evolving needs of students, the community, and the workforce. The committee approves new programs, program options, and deletions to existing curricula ensuring consistency between College, Alabama Community College System, and accreditation body policies.
Meeting Schedule:
Each semester and as called by the Chair
Membership:
Admissions/Records representative
Advisor
Assessment Center representative
Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness
Business Office representative
Department Chairs and Program Directors from each division
Director of Academic Programs
Director of Adult Education
Director of Distance Education
Director of Financial Aid
Director of Learning Resource Center
Director of Workforce Development
Dual Enrollment Coordinator
Instructional Deans
Strategic Goal 3
Southern Union State Community College will promote educational equity by offering student support services based on evidence-based educational practices, which are designed to increase enrollment, retention, completion, and graduation rates.
Strategic Enrollment Management Committee
The Strategic Enrollment Management Committee ensures the institution attracts, enrolls, retains, and graduates students. The Director of Enrollment Management & Recruiting includes the committee in the development and implementation of the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and provides updates at each meeting.
Meeting Schedule:
Once per semester (fall and spring), and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
Advisor
Academic Suspension Appeals Committee Chair
Adjunct faculty representative
Adult Education representative
Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness
Business Office representative
Coordinator of Career Services
Data representative
Dean of Student Affairs
Director of Academic Programs
Director of Admissions
Director of Enrollment Management & Recruiting
Director of Financial Aid
Director of Health Sciences
Director of Technical Education
Dual Enrollment Coordinator
Management Information Systems representative
President
Veterans’ Affairs Specialist
Academic Suspension Appeals Committee
The Academic Suspension Appeals Committee helps students who have been suspended from school to re-enroll at the College.
Meeting Schedule:
Once per semester (fall, spring, and summer), and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
Admissions/Records representative
Advisor
Business Office representative
Faculty representatives (1-2)
Financial Aid representative
Records Office representatives (2)
Staff representative
Success Center representative
Strategic Goal 4
Southern Union State Community College will establish, maintain, and expand relationships with communities, business and industry, and economic and workforce development stakeholders and will work collaboratively with those entities to respond to the changing needs of the students and the region.
Community Engagement Committee (under revision at present)
The Community Engagement Committee helps promote collaborative initiatives that meet the changing needs of the students and the region. The committee ensure the institution cultivates and enhances relationships with key community stakeholders. The Executive Director of Advancement and Community Relations includes the committee in the development and implementation of the Community Engagement Plan and provides updates at each meeting.
Meeting Schedule:
Once per semester (fall and spring), and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
TBD
Strategic Goal 5
Southern Union State Community College will foster institutional growth through organizational development.
Organizational Development Committee
The Organizational Development Committee will coordinate the efforts of the Faculty and Staff Teaching and Learning Committee, the Innovation Task Force Committee, and the Professional Development Committee to ensure the professional development opportunities are effective and meaningful, ultimately contributing to the institution’s overall success and the success of its students.
Meeting Schedule:
At least once per year to plan for the upcoming academic year.
Membership:
Director of Distance Education
Faculty and Staff Teaching and Learning Committee Chair
Innovation Task Force Committee Chair
Human Resources Representative
Professional Development Committee Chair
Faculty Representatives
Staff Representatives
Faculty and Staff Teaching and Learning Committee
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The Faculty and Staff Teaching and Learning Committee serves as an advisory body to the College, focusing on faculty and staff orientation and acclimation. Annually, committee members review the mentoring process and suggest improvements based on feedback gathered from new faculty and staff surveys. The committee plans the activities for the Faculty and Staff Academy. |
Meeting Schedule: As needed/called by the Chair.
Membership:
Faculty representative
Human Resources representative
Staff representative
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee aims to offer the college community workshops and seminars for professional growth. It collaborates with both internal and external speakers and trainers to share their expertise.
Meeting Schedule:
As needed/called by the Chair.
Membership:
Faculty representatives
Representative from each division
Staff representative from each campus
Innovation Task Force Committee The Innovation Task Force Committee plans the professional development of faculty members for teaching in active learning classrooms across each campus. The professional development sessions will be provided at least once per fall and spring semesters.
Meeting Schedule:
Once per semester (fall and spring), and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
Director of Distance Learning
Faculty representative from each division who have active learning teaching experience
Management Information Systems representative
Strategic Goal 6
Southern Union State Community College will optimize operational efficiency to maximize resource utilization.
Operational Efficiency Committee
The Operational Efficiency Committee will support the Executive Council in optimizing operational efficiency to maximize resource utilization across the institutions. The committee’s goals are to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve overall effectiveness in alignment with the institution’s mission and strategic plan.
The committee (and subcommittees, as needed) has four objectives.
1. Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
2. Develop training programs to optimize efficiency in the various departments.
3. Formulate strategies to streamline operations and improve workflow targeting areas that directly impact student
success.
4. Identify alternate funding for capital improvements and increased scholarships.
Meeting Schedule:
As called by the Chair
Membership:
President
Vice President of Financial and Administrative Services
Executive Director of Advancement and Community Relations
Executive Assistant to the President
Human Resources representative
Maintenance representative
Representatives from each division
Representative from each campus
Other Functional Commitees
Behavioral Intervention Team (BisonCARE)
The Behavioral Intervention Team assists students facing academic, social, and crisis situations, including mental health concerns. The team prioritizes the safety and well-being of faculty, staff, and students through proactive and collaborative prevention, assessment, and intervention efforts.
Meeting Times:
Once per semester (fall and spring), and as called by the Chair.
Membership:
Assistant Chief of Police
Director of Public Safety/Chief of Campus Police
Faculty representative
Human Resources representative
Student Affairs representative
Disciplinary Committee
The purpose of the Disciplinary Committee is to ensure that the right of students to be granted protection by the inclusion of the process is upheld in all matters of a disciplinary nature.
Meeting Times:
As needed/Called by Chair.
Membership:
Faculty/staff representatives (3)
Residence Hall President
Student Government Association (SGA) President
SOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
As the fundraising arm of the college, the SU Foundation promotes and supports the programs and activities of Southern Union. Members of the Foundation Board of Directors work to raise awareness of the College’s case for support, leading to increased visibility in the communities served by the college.
The Foundation is a 501©3 organization and exists to assist, support, and foster the educational and service programs and activities of Southern Union State Community College. The Foundation encourages gifts for scholarships and other awards to further the educational mission of the College.
Through the establishment of the Foundation’s scholarship fund in 2012, SU students may apply for tuition assistance through the Foundation. SU employees may support the scholarship fund through giving opportunities such as one-time gifts or through payroll deduction. To obt