GINGER PILARSKI

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Adjunct Instructor of Psychology
gpilarski@cumberland.edu
Adjunct Faculty
The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
B.S., Grand Canyon University
M.S. Grand Canyon University

Ginger Pilarski is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Cumberland University. Ginger holds a BS in Education and a MS in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ginger has worked in the mental health field since 2017, and currently has a private practice in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Prior to starting a private practice, Ginger worked for a Federal Grant program which utilized telehealth to provide mental health services to clients in underserved,
rural areas. Ginger also worked in the opioid addiction treatment field as a Lead Therapist at an outpatient treatment facility.

Ginger’s current primary area of practice is serving clients with PTSD and Complex Trauma, (childhood attachment trauma and developmental trauma), as well as a special focus on serving first responders and healthcare workers. Ginger is an EMDR Consultant through EMDRIA, and
offers trainings to therapists seeking to advance their skills using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy.

CAROL HARP

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Adjunct Instructor of Psychology
charp@cumberland.edu
Adjunct Faculty
The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
Ph.D., Tennessee State University

PATRICIA SHALLENBERGER

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Adjunct Instructor of English
pshallenberger@cumberland.edu
Adjunct Faculty
The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
B.A., Cumberland University

Patricia Shallenberger is an English adjunct instructor teaching courses in grammar and writing. She began teaching at Cumberland University in 2023. She attended Cumberland University as a non-traditional adult student and earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2022. Before Cumberland, she taught English as a Second Language for several years.

Mrs. Shallenberger lives in Mt. Juliet with her husband and their cat. With their two adult children off exploring the world, she spends her time reading, writing, traveling to foreign countries, and volunteering with New Leash on Life as part of their cat adoption program with  PetSmart.

MORENIKE MURPHY

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Adjunct Instructor of Psychology
mmurphy@cumberland.edu
Adjunct Faculty
The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
B.S., Tennessee State University
M.C.J., Middle Tennessee State University
M.S., Argosy University

Morenike is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Mental Health Counseling, as well as a Master of Criminal Justice. She is a Tennessee State approved Clinical Mental Health Supervisor and a Mandatory Pre-Screening Agent certified by the State of Tennessee. She has expertise in crisis intervention and suicide prevention, with specialized assessment and treatment expertise to help people who have serious mental illnesses live productive and satisfying lives in the community.

Morenike is a dedicated professional with a 25-year career in program management, mental health crisis response, and service coordination in community mental health and Tennessee State Government. She is a Dove Everyday Hero and the Founder and CEO of the Center of Hope for Behavioral Health Inc.

KELLY ELROD

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Adjunct Instructor of Forensic Psychology
kelrod@cumberland.edu
Adjunct Faculty
The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
B.A., Gardner-Webb University
M.A., Harvard University
J.D., Nashville School of Law

MACKENZIE ALCORN

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Adjunct Instructor of Psychology
malcorn@cumberland.edu
Adjunct Faculty
The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education and the Arts
B.A., University of Alabama
M.S., University of Tennessee

Mackenzie Alcorn, LCSW is an Adjunct Instructor of Psychology within the Millard and J.J. Oakley. School of Humanities, Education, and the Arts. Mackenzie graduated with a Master’s in Social Work in December 2020 from The University of Tennessee, but her first love will always be the University of Alabama where she graduated with a BA in Communications and minor in English in May 2016.

She started her social work journey working with veterans at a local veteran non-profit in Nashville before transitioning into a full-time counselor working for mobile crisis. In June 2022 she became part of the Partners in Care, Co-Response team, riding with Metro Nashville police officers in multiple precincts, providing crisis counseling to consumers in the community. Mackenzie currently works on the Behavioral Health Services unit within MNPD, providing therapy to Metro Police officers and family members.  Mackenzie specifically created the curriculum for her special topics class to introduce new students to the world of police psychology.

Mackenzie comes from a military and law enforcement family and outside of work loves to travel, most recently gallivanting around Portugal. You can always find her with a coffee in hand and will stop to pet any dog no matter what she is doing.

KERRICE WATSON

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Adjunct Instructor of Physical Education
kwatson@cumberland.edu
Adjunct Faculty
The Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education, and the Arts Part Time and Adjunct Faculty
B.S., Cumberland University
M.A., Cumberland University
Ed.S., Arkansas State University

Kerrice Watson has been an educator since Spring 2021.  She is a middle school physical education and health educator at Winfree Bryant Middle School.  Ms. Watson also serves on the girls basketball coaching staff.

She has earned a Bachelor of Science Education & Coaching, a Master of Arts in Education from Cumberland University, and an Education Specialist in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.  Ms. Watson’s passion for educating our future is evident in her professional philosophy that every child can succeed with the support of family and supportive educators.  When Kerrice is not teaching or coaching, she enjoys playing basketball, traveling, and photography.

SHAWNA JUDKINS

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Clinical Lab Adjunct Instructor
sjudkins@cumberland.edu
Adjunct Faculty
The Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
A.S.N., Gorssmont-Cuyamaca Community College
B.S.N., Vanderbilt University
M.S.N., Vanderbilt University

Mrs. Judkins began her teaching journey with Cumberland University as a Clinical Lab Instructor in the Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing in 2024.

Mrs. Judkins initially graduated with Honors from Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College with an Associate’s of Science in Nursing in June 2002.  She worked as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse at Rady’s Children’s Hospital in San Diego, CA. She relocated to Tennessee, and took a nursing position at Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in 2005.

She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University in 2012, and went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), graduating with Honors, in May 2015.

Mrs. Judkins has clinical experience in the Pediatric Medical-Surgical area, but has primarily focused on Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and currently holds a faculty position as a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

LAURA JAROSEMICH

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Adjunct Clinical Instructor of Nursing
ljarosemich@cumberland.edu
Adjunct Faculty
The Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
B.S.N., Mississippi College
M.S.N., Belmont University
D.N.P., Union University

I graduated in 1999 from Mississippi College with my BSN. My career in medical-surgical nursing, and then transitioned into women’s health. I completed my MSN with emphasis in Nursing Education in 2008 from Belmont University, and I transitioned into a clinical educator position in women’s health. I transitioned my career and spent time working on a cardiac stepdown unit. I spent 5 years teaching at a community college while working per diem in women’s health. My interest in pregnancy and addiction led me to work at an addiction unit in a psychiatric hospital. My role transitioned to supervisor and then to a manager. I completed my DNP with emphasis in executive leadership in 2024 from Union University, and I received my certification from ANCC as a Nurse Executive. I have taught clinical for many years, and I enjoy working with students.

I have two children, and I enjoy being active.

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