Nashville State School of Business and Professional Studies Dean Selected for TBR Academic Leadership Collaborative with Vanderbilt

Dr. Christie Ferguson, dean of Nashville State Community College’s School of Business and Professional Studies, is among those selected for the first cohort of TBR - The College System of Tennessee’s Academic Leadership Collaborative. She joins colleagues from TBR’s 12 other community colleges.

The collaborative is a new professional learning opportunity, offered through the Maxine Smith Leadership Series, to support academic deans and leaders at Tennessee’s community colleges. 

During the collaborative, developed in partnership with Vanderbilt’s Office of Faculty Affairs, participants will engage in a monthly series of structured virtual sessions through the academic year, using a collaborative inquiry process to examine real-world leadership challenges and gain practical insights from colleagues facing similar issues. Partners from Vanderbilt will facilitate all sessions, bringing extensive experience leading this collaborative leadership model.

“Strong institutions depend on strong academic leadership,” said Vanderbilt Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver. “This collaboration reflects our belief that investing in academic leadership is essential to expanding opportunity, advancing innovation, and strengthening student success across Tennessee and beyond.”

TBR’s Chancellor Dr. Flora W. Tydings thanked Vanderbilt for the university’s partnership and stressed the importance of supporting academic leaders.

“High-quality academic leadership is essential for our colleges to succeed in their mission of educating students,” she remarked. “We’re grateful to Vanderbilt University for sharing its innovative, effective, and collaborative leadership development model, as well as the Vanderbilt faculty leaders who will share their expertise as they facilitate the sessions.”

Upon being selected, Dr. Ferguson, said, “I appreciate the support and opportunity from my college leadership, and I am excited to join my peers from across Tennessee as we learn from one another and develop solutions that benefit our students, faculty, and communities.”

The inaugural 2026-27 cohort includes deans from all Tennessee community colleges, selected by their presidents and senior leadership teams based on their leadership roles and commitment to professional growth and collaboration.

• Jimmy Barham – Dyersburg State Community College
• Caitlin Chapman – Northeast State Community College
• Anna Esquivel – Jackson State Community College
• Christie Ferguson – Nashville State Community College
• Sandra Godsey – Cleveland State Community College
• Geol Greenlee – Roane State Community College
• Tracey Hines – Columbia State Community College
• Lindsay Holland – Chattanooga State Community College
• Merve Kester Thomas – Pellissippi State Community College
• Devissi Muhammad – Southwest Tennessee Community College
• Laura Booth Patterson – Motlow State Community College
• Matthew Smith – Walters State Community College
• Shane Talbott – Volunteer State Community College