THE CENTER FOR CIVIC ADVANCEMENT

Rachel Edens

DIRECTOR OF THE CCA

Ext. 5216, Rankin Room 201

Rachel Edens joined Tusculum College in the Center for Civic Advancement (CCA) as the new program coordinator. Edens will take over duties from former CCA Director Joyce Doughty, who retired at the end of July after many years of service to the college.

Edens attended the University of North Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a minor in African-American studies. She is also a graduate of UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Business Essentials program.

“I look forward to the opportunity to continue to grow the programs associated with the Center of Civic Advancement,” said Edens. “These programs are essential to the uniqueness of Tusculum College and are part of the overall dedication that Tusculum College has to instilling the value of service in its students.”

Edens relocated to Greeneville to accept an AmeriCorps VISTA position with the Center for Civic Advancement in May of 2010. As a VISTA volunteer, she redeveloped a mentoring initiative between Tusculum’s Bonner Leader Program and Greeneville Middle School, fostered new community partnerships, increased the capacity of service-learning activities and wrote and was awarded a grant by United Healthcare to establish new programming to reduce childhood obesity.

One result of this grant funding was the establishment of a community garden at the Greeneville/Greene County Boys and Girls Club.

“It is great to have Rachel join us permanently, and I’m certain she will be inspiring to students, staff and faculty who participate in the various service projects and programs of the CCA,” said Dr. Melinda Dukes, associate vice president for academic affairs.

The Center for Civic Advancement is dedicated to effecting positive change by promoting social responsibility, social justice and equity through civic engagement and service learning partnerships involving students, campus and the community. The CCA promotes service-learning on Tusculum’s campuses by connecting students to volunteer opportunities in the local area. The Center also provides faculty with resources to incorporate course-related service projects into their classes.

Heather Jennings

CCA Program Assistant

Ext. 5252, Rankin Room 203

Email: hjennings@tusculum.edu

Heather Jennings is the program assistant for the CCA. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a degree in psychology and minor in adolescent health. At UT, Jennings was a member/student leader of the Pride of the Southland Marching band. She is currently volunteers in local schools and is working on a Master of Education degree to become an elementary school teacher. Interests include education, human/animal rights, hunger, homelessness, health, and diversity. Jennings currently resides in Greeneville with her partner, Greg, and dog, Biscuit.

Jonathan Calloway

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Americorps Vista

Ext. 5256, Rankin Room 204

Email: jcalloway@tusculum.edu

Jonathan Calloway is the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) assigned to the CCA this year. Calloway is the 2011 winner of the Elie Weisel Prize In Ethics for his essay, “Rocks in the Sun: Sous le ciel d’Haiti (under the sky of Haiti).” The essay, available at The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity’s website www.eliewieselfoundation.org, was an opportunity for Calloway to share his experiences and make a difference in others lives. Jonathan was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, and is very interested in local issues such as hunger, homelessness, human rights, and diversity. Jonathan is currently living in Morristown, TN. Calloway graduated with a psychology degree from East Tennessee State University last May. Following his VISTA year, he is moving to Boulder, CO to study Indo-Tibetan Buddhism at Naropa University.

Amanda Waddell

Bonner Leader Program Director

Ext. 5378, Rankin Room 210 Email: awaddell@tusculum.edu

Amanda Waddell was named Director of Career Development for Tusculum College in August of 2005. Ms. Waddell previously served as Development Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County.

Amanda is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Carson-Newman College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and a Sum Cum Laude graduate of Tusculum College where she earned a Master of Arts in Education. She also received a Certificate of Non-Profit Management from the University of Tennessee.

Waddell is a native of Greene County and currently resides in Greeneville with her two children, Brandon and Emma Kate. She is active in numerous professional and civic organizations. Waddell serves as Board Chair for the Asbury Child Enrichment Center, Board Member for the Greene County Tennis Association, Greene County Youth Community Action Team Board Member, and is also active in Youth Builders. Waddell is a 2005 Graduate of the Leadership Greene County Program as well as an inaugural member of the Generation TN statewide leadership council.

Amanda Waddell has taken on being the Bonner Leader Program Coordinator this year, 2011, and is looking forward to working with all of the bright individuals that walk into the program.

Robin Fife

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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

Ext. 5777, Room 205

Email: rfife@tusculum.edu

Robin is currently Assistant Professor of Social Science and teaches Service-Learning courses through the CCA. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Adult Education here at TC through the Professional Studies Program. In support of the center’s mission, Robin is on the board or very involved with several local non-profit organizations working to build collaborative, long-term partnerships which address local issues such as hunger, homelessness, poverty, education, health, diversity, environment and sustainable agriculture. She is the instructor of a variety of community-based courses on campus, ranging from immersion experiences in Belize, Central America, to community-based research for the local Homeless Coalition, to mentoring programs in area schools. Read the Faces & Friends feature about Robin Fife.