Chattanooga State Community College is proud to announce that the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) has named Dr. Martina Harris, Nursing Program Director, a Maxine Smith Fellow for 2016. “Dr. Martina Harris continues to set an outstanding example for her students and peers as is evidenced by her selection into the Maxine Smith Fellow leadership development class of 2016. Chattanooga State is very proud of Dr. Harris and we look forward to her sharing this wonderful experience with the college community,” states Dr. Flora Tydings, Chattanooga State President.

The Maxine Smith Fellows Program was originally created as a TBR central office Geier initiative designed to provide opportunities for African-American TBR employees to participate in a working and learning environment that would enhance work experience and career development.

Objectives of the Fellows program include increasing academic and professional credentials, observation and participation in decision-making situations, experiencing policy development, and increasing the number of qualified applicants from underrepresented groups for senior-level administrative positions at TBR institutions.

Fellows are paired with mentors to meet the objectives of the program. “Dr. Nate Essex, President Emeritus of Southwest Community College, was selected as Dr. Harris’ mentor. “I am honored to have been selected to participate in the Maxine Smith Fellow and to have Dr. Essex as my mentor. I plan on working very closely with Dr. Essex to gain invaluable knowledge to help me with the development of various leadership skills,” states Martina.

As a newly named Fellow, Dr. Harris looks forward to meeting new goals. “One of TBR’s goals is that of increasing diversity. Nursing programs, for the most part, are very homogenous and I would like to use this program as an opportunity to work directly with leaders across the state to identify best practices and bring back ideas to the College for possible implementation,” shares Harris.

Dr. Harris is in good company as she joins the list of previously named Maxine Smith Fellows at Chattanooga State: Willie Thomas (2015), Kisha Caldwell (2014) and Dr. Evelyn Mobley (2013).

For more information about the Maxine Smith Fellows Program, visit https://www.tbr.edu/oesi/maxine-smith-fellows-program.