Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Academic Leadership Development Institute

The Academic Leadership Development Institute, coordinated by the Council, provides a series of highly-interactive sessions and small group seminars led by faculty and administrators from across Kentucky and other states. The goal is to create a learning community of early career, underrepresented minority faculty and staff who are on track for professional advancement.

This year’s cohort consists of professionals from Kentucky's universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Institutional leaders nominated candidates for the yearlong initiative based on their leadership ability, interest in advancement, and dedication to higher education. Participants cannot have previous administrative experience.

Current Membership

Abrams

Emily Abrams

Southeast Community & Technical College
Director of Clinical Education

Abrams is an associate professor and director of clinical education for the Pineville Campus respiratory care program. She is also the 2023-2024 Faculty Chair and has served as the professional development chair since 2021. Abrams holds a Master of Science in health sciences, a Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration and Associate of Applied Science in respiratory therapy. A registered respiratory therapist of 20 years, she holds credentials as an adult critical care specialist and neonatal pediatric specialist. Emily has partnered with Air Evac in southeast Kentucky to maintain flight crews neonatal resuscitation program status as current.

Clark

Sherita Clark

Southcentral Community & Technical College
School Certifying Official - Career Services

Sherita Clark is a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Clark started her educational journey in 2005 at Bowling Green Technical College (now Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College), where she graduated as a first-generation college student with an Associate of Arts degree. She later obtained a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in social and behavioral sciences and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Western Kentucky University. Clark currently heads career services at SKYCTC and serves as a School Certifying Official (SCO) for veteran students and their families. She also serves on the institution’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and is chair of the staff council.

Daniels

Charlisa Daniels

Northern Kentucky University
Associate Professor

Charlisa Daniels is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Kentucky University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Agnes Scott College and doctorate from Rice University. Daniels’ research focuses improving water remediation tools, materials, and techniques to improve water supplies around the world. She is the faculty mentor to the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society and Promoting an Inclusive Community with Kindreds in STEM (PICK STEM); the latter focuses on uplifting students from underrepresented racial, gender, socio-economic, and abled groups, helping them find a sense of belonging in STEM fields and careers.

Vasquez

Dr. Fatima Espinoza Vasquez

University of Kentucky
Assistant Professor

Dr. Espinoza Vasquez is an assistant professor for the College of Communication and Information at the University of Kentucky. She is originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where, during the first part of her career, she worked in communication media, web design, and public affairs in international organizations like the United Nations Development Program and the U.S. Embassy. She has a doctorate in information science from Syracuse University. Inspired by her experiences as a minority in STEM, her research focuses on how marginalized communities, activists, and political organizations use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to construct alternative meanings, practices, and infrastructures.

Gause

Tatyana Gause

Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Project Manager for Work-Based Learning

Gause is a project manager for work-based learning at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. She has a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Education in counselor education from Augusta University. As an underrepresented minority and first-generation college student, Gause aspires to help provide access to resources, advance diversity and inclusion within the academic setting, and be a support system for students. She is passionate about advocating for students’ needs and helping them to achieve educational, personal and professional goals.

Gomez

Dr. Miguel Gomez

Murray State University
Associate Professor

Miguel Gomez, the son of immigrant parents, began his academic journey at the University of Georgia (UGA)with a bachelor’s degree in history. With a growing interest in education, he pursued further studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), obtaining a master's degree in middle school education and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. Currently, Gomez serves as the Middle School Education Program Coordinator, contributing to the preparation of future middle school educators. His work at Murray State reflects his commitment to the field of education and his belief in its importance for societal progress.

Jamison

Dr. Felicia Jamison

University of Louisville
Assistant Professor

Felicia Jamison is an assistant professor of history at the University of Louisville. Her research focuses on the lives and experiences of 19th and 20th-century African Americans who lived in the rural South. She is currently working on a monograph that analyzes the strategies Southern Black women used to accumulate property during slavery and purchase land in the Reconstruction period. Jamison received her B.A. at Mercer University, her M.A. at Morgan State University, and her Ph.D. and Graduate Certificate in public history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her interests include attending musical concerts, traveling, and learning about popular culture.

Johnson

Michelle Johnson

University of Louisville
Counselor II

Johnson is a therapist at the University of Louisville Counseling Center, where she has served students for 14 years. Johnson is a University of Kentucky alumna, holding a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a Master of Science in counseling psychology and a Master of Science in family studies. A licensed professional clinical counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist, she also supervises graduate-level practicum students and is a board-approved supervisor for associate level therapists working toward autonomous functioning. Johnson is a recipient of the 2022 Student Affairs Student Impact Award and is passionate about the well-being of her students as well as her colleagues.

Kim

Dr. Jeffrey Kim

University of Louisville
Clinical Veterinarian

A board-certified in laboratory animal medicine with added expertise in veterinary public health, Kim is an assistant professor and clinical veterinarian with the University of Louisville. He obtained his Master of Public Health and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Ohio State University. Kim is the director of the training program for UofL biomedical researchers, hairs his department’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism committee and serves on the Commission on Diversity and Racial Equity. He is committed to providing advanced training to researchers and promoting the pipeline of future veterinary and research professionals as the senior advisor for UofL’s pre-veterinary society.

Myers

Lakesha Myers

Gateway Community & Technical College
Professional Academic Advisor

Myers holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Ball State University and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Christian Theological Seminary. In her professional journey, Lakesha has achieved significant milestones in the field of mental health and family therapy, however during the pandemic, Lakesha made a career shift into higher education with Gateway Community and Technical College. Myers is known not only for her dedication to serving students, but also for her ability to make people feel seen and heard and her love of learning, always on the lookout for exciting new hobbies to explore.

Powe

Aleeta Powe

University of Louisville
Associate Professor

Powe, an associate professor in the chemistry department at the University of Louisville, received her Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of South Alabama, and a Master of Science in toxicology and a doctorate in analytical chemistry from American University. While at UofL, Powe has served as the principal Investigator for the university’s research experiences for undergraduates grant and on several departmental and university committees, including the Commission of Diversity and Racial Equality. Powe is often a speaker on pedagogy, such as strategies to teach large- enrollment classes. She is routinely nominated as a “Faculty Favorite” and the “Most Influential Faculty Member.”

Price

Dr. Kendriana Price

University of Kentucky
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Price, director of DEI at UK, also is involved in the university’s MANRRS student organization and the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster for the Central Kentucky Black Achievers Program. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in kinesiology/exercise science, a Master’s degree from Murray State University in human development and leadership, and a doctorate from Trevecca Nazarene University in Leadership and Professional Practice. She was selected as one of the Lexington Community Action Council’s Unapologetically Women honorees, awarded the Living Legacy Award by the University of Kentucky Martin Luther King Center, and proudly serves a steering committee member for the Leadership Lexington Youth Program (LLYP).

Shemwell

LaTasha Shemwell

Owensboro Community & Technical College
Workforce Healthcare Liaison

Shemwell holds a Bachelor of Arts from Kentucky Wesleyan College in music performance and a master’s degree in student affairs from Western Kentucky University. Prior to joining OCTC as the workforce healthcare liaison, Shemwell worked as a campus director for Ross Medical Education. Her hobbies include singing, pageant directing and vocal coaching.

Smith

Marissa Smith

Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Educational Advisor

Smith has worked in education for over a decade, currently serving as educational advisor for TRIO Student Support Services at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management as well as a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Kentucky. She plans to continue her career in education and hopes to serve students from diverse backgrounds. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated and works part-time at a Lexington community center.

Sweat

Dr. Ashley Sweat

Eastern Kentucky University
Director - Student Success Center

Sweat currently serves as director of the Student Success Center at Eastern Kentucky University and as the vice-president for the Kentucky Association of Blacks in Higher Education. A native of Berea, Sweat has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Louisville, two master’s degrees (in correctional and juvenile justice studies; and student personnel services in higher education) and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from EKU. Sweat has over 14 years of work experience in higher education in a variety of roles, many focusing on working with high-risk and underrepresented student populations including first-generation, low-income, and minority students.

White

Aaron White

Hopkinsville Community & Technical College
Library Specialist

Aaron White is a Library Specialist at Hopkinsville Community College. He has a Bachelor of Social Work from Murray State University and a Masters in Postsecondary Education Administration from Murray State University. He is actively looking for an Ed.D. in P-20 and Community Leadership program. His educational experience includes student disability services, project management, administration and more. Aaron White is the leader of Hopkinsville Community College Minority Student Union. He also volunteers with numerous non-profits throughout the Hopkinsville community.

Wilson

Fe'Lisa Wilson

Kentucky State University
Director of Admissions

A seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in recruitment and admissions, Wilson currently is director of admissions at Kentucky State University. Fe'Lisa takes great pride in guiding students through their educational journey: the most fulfilling aspect of her career is witnessing students flourish, both personally and academically, with some contributing to the field of higher education.

Past Membership

2023

2022

2021

2020

2018

Last Updated: 6/11/2024