Ms. Holly Staggs received her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Tennessee Technical University in 2015. She earned her Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University in 2018 and subsequently began teaching at the college level.

Holly started her career with Volunteer State Community College, teaching Skills for English Composition, English Composition I, and English Composition II. Ms. Staggs plans to pursue a Doctorate in the future. When she is not teaching, Holly enjoys traveling, reading, photography, and writing.

Dr. Roshanda Odom began at Cumberland University in fall of 2018 and teaches courses in the School of Humanities, Education, and the Arts.  She teaches courses in the Education program.  Prior to arriving at Cumberland, Dr. Odom spent 13 years in K-12 education in a large urban district in the South.  She began her career in education teaching secondary English, and continued her career as a Literacy Specialist.

Dr. Odom earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Middle Tennessee State University.  Her graduate education includes a Masters in Education (MAE) from Cumberland University, and Education Specialist (EDS) from Union University. Dr. Odom earned her terminal degree, Doctor of Education (Ed.D), from Union University.

Dr. Odom recently transitioned from full-time to adjunct status when she accepted a position back with the Nashville and Davidson County School System.

Dr. Janet Parker joined Cumberland University in fall of 2018 as Director of the Master of Arts in Education Program and Assistant Professor.  Prior to arriving at Cumberland, Dr. Parker was an assistant professor with Delta State University in Mississippi where she instructed undergraduate and graduate courses, chaired and supported doctorate students on dissertations, and served the campus community in multiple service projects including developing a partnership with local schools. In addition, she has taught courses at University of Phoenix and Columbia State Community College. She dedicated 30 years of service to students and teachers in K-12 education in elementary, middle school, and high school programs with diverse populations, serving in special needs classrooms, gifted programs, and general population instructional services. Dr. Parker was a Principal in private school settings in Louisiana and Tennessee, literacy coach, mathematics and literacy interventionist, and middle school and high school classroom teacher.

Dr. Parker holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Reading from Tennessee State University (2014), an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technological University (2001), a Master of Arts degree in English from Austin Peay State University (1985), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Special Education with a Fine Arts minor from Michigan State University (1978). With a focus in literacy, she holds multiple Tennessee state license endorsements and is National Board Certified with the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and LETRS trainer certification for Literacy. Her primary focus in recent years has been literacy; she has conducted research in early literacy of kindergartners in highest poverty areas and English Language Learners, and has presented this research at research conferences. Her presentations of creating interactive and engaging classrooms have been presented at international, state, regional, and local conferences.

She recently transitioned from full-time to adjunct faculty to spend more time with her family.

Jessica began her career at Cumberland University in the Fall of 2012. Prior to her arrival at the University, she was an Associate Director at the Middle TN YMCA, where she led the Brentwood YMCA youth sports program and various wellness initiatives at the Donelson YMCA.

Ms. Padgett holds a Bachelor of Psychology from Mount Holyoke College, A Master of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington, and a Master of Science in Physical Education from Cumberland University.

In addition to her intercollegiate career as an NCAA athlete in both women’s soccer and women’s crew, Jessica has served on the Board of Directors for Nashville Youth Soccer Association and has coached for Eagle Express and Wilson United Soccer Club.

Jessica’s published research includes that with the Academic Surgical Congress examining surgical resident wellness and opportunities for improvement.