DATE: June 13, 2001
CONTACT: Calvin Burns, 901/333-5338 or Marilyn
Duncan, 901/333-4247
Dr. Nathan Essex Named President of Southwest
Tennessee Community College
Dr. Nathan Essex, interim president of Southwest
Tennessee Community College, was named permanent president Thursday,
June 7, by a unanimous vote of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR).
That vote came after Chancellor Charles Manning of the TBR recommended
Dr. Essex when the other three candidates for the position withdrew.
Dr. Essex was one of four finalists chosen from 29
applicants. On leave from his position as dean of the college of
education at The University of Memphis, he was leader of the transition
process following the consolidation of State Technical Institute at
Memphis and Shelby State Community College that formed Southwest
Tennessee Community College. The consolidation was effective July 1,
2000.
STCC has more than 12,000 students, which makes it
the largest community college in the TBR system. The College offers
Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees for transfer to
four-year colleges and universities, Associate of Applied Science
degrees for immediate career entry into technical, business, service,
education and allied health fields, and Technical and Academic
certificates to prepare individuals for entry-level positions in the
marketplace.
Dr. Essex received a B.S. degree in English at
Alabama A&M University, a M.S. degree in Educational Administration
at Jacksonville State University and a Ph.D. degree in Administration
and Planning at The University of Alabama. He held public school
teaching and administrative positions as well as corporate management
positions prior to completing his doctorate. Since earning the
doctorate, Dr. Essex has served as Associate Director of the Bureau of
Educational Service and Research, Program Chair of the Administration
and Planning Program, and Area Head of Educational Leadership at The
University of Alabama. He also served as a policy consultant for the
Alabama State Department of education and provided consultation for more
than 100 school districts and post secondary institutions.
This distinguished educator has received numerous
awards in recognition of his contributions in the field of education.
Some of them include: Truman M. Pierce Award for Educational
Leadership and Outstanding Contributions which advanced the
direction of education in the state of Alabama, the Academic
Excellence Award in recognition of professional achievement and
academic excellence, Capstone College of Education Society, The
University of Alabama; Teaching Excellence Award, Who's Who in the
State of Tennessee, President Bush's Community Service Award,
1991, and The University of Memphis Distinguished Administrator of
the Year 1995-96.
Dr. Essex has published numerous articles and
newsletters on personnel, leadership and legal issues. His works appear
regularly in such noted professional journals as The Administrator's
Notebook, The Community College Review, The Clearinghouse,
and The American School Board Journal. His latest work, a law
textbook entitled School Law and the Public Schools: A
Practical Guide for Educational Leaders, was recently published by
Allyn and Bacon. He is in great demand by educators at all levels to
share his expertise regarding legal issues that impact educational
organizations.
