Julius Dodds, site director of two additional academic sites for Chattanooga State Community College, has been recognized as a 2009-2010 Maxine Smith Fellow by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the governing body for 45 universities, community colleges, and technology centers throughout the state.  Mr. Dodds oversees two separate and distinct educational operations:  a technical training center located at Eastgate Towne Centre and a campus located at 7158 Lee Highway.

The Maxine Smith Fellows program is a prestigious and longstanding TBR endeavor that originated as a career development initiative for African-American employees.  Over the course of a 10-month period, Maxine Smith Fellows attend workshops, observe the TBR decision-making and policy-implementation processes, and develop a deeper understanding of the expectations necessary to assume a leadership role within the TBR system.  This year fellows are focusing on the inherent possibilities presented by social networking and on how these new technologies can benefit the community college environment.  

The heart of the Maxine Smith Fellows program revolves around partnering new fellows with senior TBR leaders.  Acting as advisors and role models, these leaders mentor their assigned fellows throughout the 10-month cycle, ultimately cultivating them as potential candidates for senior-level administrative positions at TBR schools.  Mr. Dodds’ mentor is Dr. Gary Goff, president of Roan State Community College.

“The Maxine Smith Fellows program offers substantive and valuable career advancement opportunities,” says Mr. Dodds.  “To be appointed as a fellow for 2009-2010 is a privilege, and I feel fortunate to have Dr. Goff as my mentor.  I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge of the TBR system and to strengthening my professional opportunities.” 

Mr. Dodds earned a bachelor of arts degree in human services from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1981 and a master of arts degree in secondary education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1996.    The program honors Dr. Maxine Smith, a noted civil rights activist and education advocate from Memphis who served as regent on the Tennessee Board of Regents for two terms.

For more information about Chattanooga State Community College and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733 or visit the college’s Web site at www.chattanoogastate.edu.

Chattanooga State Community College is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, operated under the policies and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents College System.  Founded in 1965 and serving a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga State offers a wide array of programs and services.