Courtney D. Gipson, Director of The Center for Access

The Division of Student Affairs and the Retention & Student Success team welcome Courtney D. Gipson as the new Director of The Center for Access. Gipson’s primary responsibilities are to ensure the effective implementation of classroom accommodations for people with disabilities, promote a greater awareness among students, administration and faculty of the values of a disability community, facilitate full participation of students with a disability at Southwest, and foster compliance with the Americans with Disability Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Gipson received a Bachelor of Health Science degree with an emphasis on Therapeutic Studies from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Master of Science degree from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville in Rehabilitation Counseling with an emphasis on Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

A certified rehabilitation counselor with a visual impairment and blindness specialty, Gipson has three years of vocational rehabilitation services experience working with individuals with physical, mental, and/or sensory disabilities, helping them to achieve competitive integrated employment. She also has advocated on a federal level for inclusion for post-secondary education in Arkansas.

Before accepting her position at Southwest, Gipson was a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor III at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, and a Master’s Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Tennessee Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Gipson is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., where she engages in various community and civic volunteer work. Her favorite time of the day is coming home to her first child, an infant daughter.

If you would like to send a word of welcome to Gipson or schedule a meeting, reach her at cgipson2@southwest.tn.edu or (901) 333-4223 at the Macon Cove Campus or (901) 333-5116 at the Union Avenue Campus. You can view the The Center for Access location and counselor hours schedule to for more info. You may also email sds@southwest.tn.edu.

Welcome aboard, Courtney!