Gary Heartfield

Hi everyone, Gary here, your Academic Coach for the Labry School of Science, Technology and Business. My role is to work with students to develop effective learning strategies to find success in the classroom while helping to create a balance between school and life.

I have a B.A. in Education from the University of South Florida and an M.B.A in Systems Management from Florida Institute of Technology. After graduating from college, I taught Middle School and High School Math and Computer Programming. Upon completion of my Master’s program I was offered a job with BellSouth (now AT&T) and over the years I worked in Outside Plant, Central Office, and Supply Chain Management. I finished up my Telecommunications career working as a Regional Sales manager for CommScope. 

My passion for education led me back into the classroom, and I have been an Adjunct Instructor in the Business School here at Cumberland as an Instructor in MS Office, Introduction to Business and Business Communications. 

My wife, Debby, and I raised our family in Franklin and now live over on the lake in Old Hickory. We have a son, Matthew, and daughter, Suzanne, and two grandchildren, Philly, 5 and Thomas, 3, who have introduced us to Cuphead, Bluey, Minecraft, and Mario just to name a few. Debby and I are members of the TDF church family and enjoy the lake, pool, movies and getting together with friends and family. As a fun fact, Debby and I were in the same first grade class together, we both went our separate ways and then met again in college.  

You can always reach me at gheartfield@cumberland.edu.

Jodi Sydenstricker 

Hello everyone! My name is Jodi Sydenstricker, and I am the Academic Coach for the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions. I am here to help you navigate your first year at CU by helping you succeed through goal setting and tracking your academic progress.

I am a Wilson County native and from Lebanon, TN. I started my academic journey at CU in August of 2017 utilizing TN Promise. After earning my AA, I continued my schooling with the Rudy School as an Exercise and Sport Science major. Upon graduating with my bachelors, I joined the Admissions team full-time in May of 2021 as the University Concierge. In January 2022, I was promoted to the Campus Visit & Guest Experience Coordinator. After earning my MBA in October of 2023, I started my current role as an Academic Coach and Instructor.

I am a member of the 1842 Society, Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society, Delta Mu Delta, and served as a Graduate Studies Representative for SGA at CU. I recommend everyone to get involved in any way they can! My favorite thing about CU is helping students adjust to college. Outside of work, I enjoy attending sporting events, traveling, and reading.

Feel free to stop by to see me in the LCC, Room 203, or email me at jsydenstricker@cumberland.edu.

Hannah Cole

Hi everyone! I’m Hannah Cole, and I’m an academic coach at Cumberland for the Millard and JJ Oakley School of Humanities, Education & the Arts. I’m happy to help you all succeed at Cumberland and thrive during your time at the university!

Before Cumberland, I worked as a Graduate Assistant for Tennessee Technological University where I taught English Composition and tutored students in writing. At Tech, I earned my Master of Arts in English. Prior to that, I received my Bachelor of Arts in English from Austin Peay State University. I will gladly talk your ear off about any literature, but specifically I love Shakespeare.

During my time at both universities I worked closely with the Women and Gender Studies programs and greatly enjoyed that work. I’ve also worked for Nashville’s theater community at Nashville Children’s Theater and the Nashville Repertory Theater, so, along with academic coaching, I’m happy to share my knowledge about monologues or puppetry.

Outside of my role at Cumberland, I also enjoy reading at home with my three cats, concerts, specifically Taylor Swift, and movie theater popcorn.

I’m happy to meet in the LCC, Room 203, or you can always reach me at hcole@cumberland.edu.