Faculty Department: Academic Success Center

HANNAH COLE

Back to All Faculty
Academic Coach and Instructor
Work Email: hcole@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-453-6410
Location: Learning and Career Commons, Room 203
Category: Faculty
Department: Academic Success Center, Office of Enrollment, Admissions, and Student Financial Services
Degrees:
A.A., Volunteer State Community College
B.A., Austin Peay State University
M.A., Tennessee Technological University
Bio:

Hannah Cole is an academic coach at Cumberland for the Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education & the Arts. In this role, Hannah is dedicated to helping students succeed at Cumberland and thrive during their time at the university.

Before Cumberland, Hannah worked as a Graduate Assistant for Tennessee Technological University where she taught English Composition and tutored students in writing. At Tech, she earned her Master of Arts in English. Prior to that, Hannah received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Austin Peay State University.

Outside of her role at Cumberland, Hannah enjoys reading at home with her three cats, concerts, and movie theater popcorn.

DIXIE RURY

Back to All Faculty
Director of Career Services & Internships
Work Email: drury@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-547-1308
Location: Learning and Career Commons, Room 225
Category: Faculty
Department: Academic Success Center
Degrees:
B.S., Middle Tennessee State University
M.A. Ed., Austin Peay State University
Bio:

Mrs. Rury joined our faculty in 2022 as the Director of Career Services & Internships. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from Austin Peay State University. Mrs. Rury teaches Foundations of Scholarship and Learning (FSL) and fulfills the duties of assisting students in career advice, resume and cover letter review, research for internships.

Mrs. Rury grew up in Lebanon where she and her husband, Ron, currently live. Ron is a paramedic and works on the medical staff at a plasma center in Nashville. They have a grown son, Marshall, who is a member of the Iron Workers Local Union 492. Mrs. Rury taught 20 years in Wilson County Schools and is an active member of Lebanon First United Methodist Church where she sings in the choir. Mrs. Rury is also a member of the local Alpha Chi Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, Honorary Teachers’ Sorority.

CINDY CONLEY

Back to All Faculty
Director of the Office of Student Success
Work Email: cconley@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-547-1238
Location: Learning and Career Commons, Room 122
Category: Faculty
Department: Academic Success Center
Degrees:
B.S., University of Central Missouri
M.S., Murray State University
Ed.S., Tennessee Technological University
Ph.D., Tennessee Technological University
Bio:

Dr. Cindy Freer Conley is the Director of the Office of Student Success.  She provides leadership to a team that works to provide additional academic support to the CU student body.  Dr. Conley also teaches Foundations of Scholarship and Learning as well as courses within the Psychology Program. 

Dr. Conley holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Central Missouri State University. She holds a Master of Science in Human Services Counseling from Murray State University and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee Technological University. Dr. Conley also holds an Educational Specialist in School Counseling as well as in Instructional Leadership. She received her terminal degree, a Ph.D., from Tennessee Technological University in Exceptional Learning with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Dr. Conley has had an extensive career in the mental health and educational fields. She has worked as a private practice counselor as well as worked as a School Counselor in Wilson and Rutherford County School Districts. She continues to work part time with youth in the foster care system as a Licensed Behavior Analyst.

Dr. Conley’s research interests include how community partners and educational settings provide services to adolescents at risk. Along with how the application of Applied Behavior Analysis can assist students who are unsuccessful increase their success in academic and social settings.

Dr. Conley is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her family live with their fur babies in the Wilson/Rutherford County area. Free time activities always include the kids and/or the fur babies.

JODI SYDENSTRICKER

Back to All Faculty
Academic Coach and Instructor
Work Email: jsydenstricker@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-453-6392
Location: Learning and Career Commons, Room 203
Category: Faculty
Department: Academic Success Center, Office of Enrollment, Admissions, and Student Financial Services
Degrees:
A. A., Cumberland University
B. S., Cumberland University
M.B.A., Cumberland University
Bio:

Jodi Sydenstricker is from Lebanon, TN. Jodi has been at Cumberland since 2017 when she started her academic journey at CU. Upon graduating with her bachelors, Jodi joined the Admissions team full-time in May of 2021 as the University Concierge.

In January 2022, Jodi was promoted to the Campus Visit & Guest Experience Coordinator. In October 2023, Jodi earned her MBA and started a new position as an Academic Coach and Instructor where she currently resides.

Jodi is a member of the 1842 Society, Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society, Delta Mu Delta, and served as a Graduate Studies Representative for SGA. Jodi’s favorite thing about CU is working with the students and serving the Lebanon community. Jodi’s passions outside of work include attending sporting events, traveling, and finding an enjoyable book to read.

 

J. MICHAEL RIPSKI

Back to All Faculty
University Chaplain and Assistant Professor
Work Email: mripski@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 453-6347
Location: Learning and Career Commons, Room 121
Category: Faculty
Department: Academic Success Center
School: The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
Degrees:
B.A., Rhodes College
M.Div., Emory University
D.Min., Emory University
Bio:

Dr. Mike Ripski is a retired ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. He served congregations in West and Middle Tennessee for 40 years. He then became a faculty member and University Chaplain at Cumberland University. During his career, Dr. Ripski has taught classes in philosophy, Bible, English, and religion. He previously was an adjunct instructor at the University of Tennessee, Martin.

In addition to serving as Cumberland University Chaplain, Mike teaches classes in the First Year Experience (FSL) and the Bible as Literature. Dr. Ripski is responsible for administering the Compassion Fund that provides food and other necessities for individuals in need in the Cumberland community.

Dr. Ripski coordinates Chapel Chats for the University community which are required by first-year students as part of the FSL course. During these Chats, students, faculty, and staff are invited to address the theme: “Everyone has a story. This is mine.” Chapel Chats may also address controversial issues with goal to model “civil discourse.”

Dr. Ripski wrote the Foundations and Learning curriculum that, while undergoing several mutations in recent years, still provides guidance for students as they begin their college journey.

GARY HEARTFIELD

Back to All Faculty
Academic Coach and Instructor
Work Email: gheartfield@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: 615-547-1378
Location: LLC 203
Category: Faculty
Department: Academic Success Center, Office of Enrollment, Admissions, and Student Financial Services
Degrees:
B.A., Education, University of South Florida
M.B.A., Systems Management, Florida Institute of Technology
Bio:

Gary Heartfield has been an Adjunct Professor since the Fall Semester 2019 in the Labry School of Science, Technology & Business where he has taught undergraduate Microcomputer Application, Principles of Information Systems, Introduction to Business and Business Communication. Prior to coming on board at Cumberland University, he was employed in the telecommunications Industry for over 30 years. He has worked as a National Account Manager for both wired and wireless fiber optic equipment sales and has had a career in Supply Chain Management and Equipment Planning for a major Telecom Corporation. He has an instructional background in College and High School Algebra and Computer Programming. He also helped in the development of the Palm Beach County Computer programming curriculum.

As one of the new Academic Coaches at Cumberland I will be focusing on students within the Labry School of Science, Technology & Business. We work with the student to help them with academic and career goal setting, learning strategies, time management, and organizational skill sets. Our goal is to help the student formulate positive and effective habits that lead to academic, professional and personal success.