BLACK ALUMNI COUNCIL
The mission of the Black Alumni Council is:
- To support efforts to provide professional and personal development to African American alumni
- To assist the university with recruitment and retention of African-American students
- To provide mentoring opportunities to current students and alumni
- To support fundraising initiatives.
We invite you to get involved!
Contact Phyllis Moore at phyllismoore@tennessee.edu for details on how you can make a difference by getting involved.
2009 Council Members
William E. Arnold, Jr.
William earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Sociology. He earned his master’s degree and doctor’s degree from Tennessee State University College of Education. Currently William is the Director of Access, Diversity and Equity at the Tennessee Board of Regents. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, William is involved in a number of service related organizations in the Middle Tennessee area that include Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, New Vision Inc., Interdenominational Minster’s Fellowship and Community Nashville. He is married to Angela Lake Arnold and they reside in Nashville, Tennessee.
Adam Brown
Adam earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Communications and Information with a major in Journalism and Electronic Media. He currently is an educator in North Carolina.
Lea Brown
Lea earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Political Science. She is currently employed by East Tennessee State University as the University Testing Center Director.
Jeff Cohran
Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Communications and Information with a major in Journalism. Currently he is head A&R/Partner at Muddy Water Music Group, Inc.
Gregory E. Cox, Jr.
Gregory earned his Bachelor of Science degree and his Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Business Administration with a major in Accounting. He has been an active volunteer throughout Atlanta since moving there in 1996. Greg has spent years as a volunteer with Hands on Atlanta (HOA), serving as a Steering Committee member for HOA’s Teamworks program. He recently served as 2008 HOA Day Volunteer Co-Chairman. Greg is also a board member for MENS (Making Employment the Next Step) Wear, Inc. He also serves as a member of the Department of Accounting Advisory Roundtable for the university. Greg is currently a Division Finance Manager at The Home Depot.
Chad Fulton
Chad earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Political Science, and currently is the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the university. Originally from Savannah, Tennessee, he came to UT in the fall of 2000. Chad writes, “I had a great experience as an undergraduate and got involved in many different aspects of campus life. That allowed me to meet many great people and see many different sides of the university. I am so glad my current job allows me to recruit future students to an institution that gave me so much. I am also glad to be part of the Black Alumni Council and developing programs that allow alums of all ages to reconnect to UT.” Chad’s hobbies are traveling, going to concerts, and tennis.
Dawn N. Green
Dawn earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Psychology. She is currently an Assistant Vice President at SunTrust Bank.
Gerrin Harrison
Gerrin Harrison, of Florence, SC, graduated from The University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, an interdisciplinary program in the College of Arts and Sciences. While initially serving The University of Tennessee as and Admissions Counselor for Undergraduate Admissions, Gerrin also worked as co-advisor for ME4UT (Minority Enhancement for the University of Tennessee) and Coordinator of Programming for the UT Lead Summer Institute in 2009. She is currently employed by Duke University as an Admissions Officer for the nationally-ranked Nicholas School of the Environment in Durham, NC.
Tiffany D. Herd
Tiffany earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in English. She is currently employed by Golden Associates, Inc. as a Recruiting Manager and Administrative Coordinator.
Charity C. Howard
Charity earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources with a major in Food Science and Technology. She is a Product Development Food Scientist for Daymon Worldwide and Dollar General Corporation at their headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. She is part of a team of scientists that develop new food products for Dollar General’s store brand foods, Clover Valley. Her hobbies include event planning, cooking, dancing, traveling and community service work. She is an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Lillian Q. Jackson
Lillian earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Urban Studies. She is an IT Consultant, and volunteers for community service projects through the Tau Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in East Point and College Park, Georgia. Other community service projects Lillian volunteers through include the Enchanted Closet Board of Planners and its annual prom dress giveaway; the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Making Strides for Breast Cancer; the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out for Diabetes; and the Lupus Foundation of America’s Atlanta Walk for Lupus. Lillian’s hobbies include reading, music, movies, sporting events, cultural events, scrapbooking, and spending time with friends.
Christopher Jones
Chris earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Graphic Design. He is currently employed by the Knoxville Utilities Board as a graphic designer. While at UT, he worked as a Resident Assistant, was involved in the Black Cultural Programming Committee, NAACP, Student African American Brotherhood, Love United Gospel Choir, and served as president of the Kappa Chi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Today, Chris continues community involvement through holding a membership in the Knoxville area Urban League Young Professionals and remaining active with his fraternity on the alumni level. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and attending live music and poetry performances.
Marvá D. Morrow
Marvá earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Engineering with a major in Electrical Engineering. Currently he is a graduate student at Webster University.
Aubrey Pearson
Aubrey earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Education, Health and Human Science with a major in Retail and Consumer Sciences. He is currently a Business Banking Relationship Manager with SunTrust Bank. Aubrey is involved with the Knoxville Area Urban League of Young Professionals and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He enjoys traveling, attending concerts, sporting events, and simply relaxing.
Cynthia Ragsdale
Cynthia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Master of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Social Work with a major in Social Work. She is currently employed by Knox County Schools as a Social Worker.
Ausbia Jerchea Smith (Chea)
Chea earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Business Administration with a major in Economics. She is currently employed by Georgia Institute of Technology as a Cost Accountant.
Johnny L. Taylor, III
Johnny earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Business Administration with a major in Finance. He is currently employed by SunTrust Bank as a Commercial Relationship Manager. He began his career as an Inroads Intern and was promoted to Commercial Relationship Manager in 2008. Johnny is an active community volunteer with several organizations: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; the Knoxville Area Urban League Young Professionals; Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity; the Inroads Minority Career Development and Placement Program; and the North Knoxville Business and Professional Association.
Dennis R. Upton
Dennis earned his Bachelor of Science degree and his Master of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Business Administration with a major in Marketing and Management. He currently serves as the Vice President of Procurement at the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB). Prior to joining KUB, he was employed with the University of Tennessee in the Center for Government Training. His community service involves serving on many boards, which include the Senior Citizens Home Assistance Center, the Salvation Army, the Knoxville Urban League, and the Children’s Center. Dennis is also a former member of UT’s Chancellor’s Associates.
Erica Watson
Erica earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Political Science. She is currently a Juris Doctorate Candidate Class of 2011.
Cammie Davenport Woodle
Cammie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Psychology. She is currently employed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation as the Civil Rights Director.
Andrea Woods
Andrea earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Business Administration with a major in Business Studies. She is currently a Branch Manager for SunTrust Banks, Inc. Andrea’s community service includes serving as chair of the African American Diversity Council Sub-Committee and serving as secretary for the Volunteer Ministry Center’s Board of Directors. She is very active in her church, Eternal Life Harvest Center, and enjoys working with the youth. She also volunteers in the Knox County School System.
Kendra Young
Kendra earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Biological Sciences. She currently is a graduate student at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Alexia S. Greene
Alexia serves on the council as a Student Delegate. Her projected graduation date is 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Communications and Information.
