Welcome to the Tennessee Academic Advising Network - TAAN

The Tennessee Academic Advising Network was created as a professional forum for sharing best practices and knowledge exchange related to academic advising for the Community Colleges and Applied Technical Colleges powering Tennessee.

 

Purpose

TAAN’s purpose is to provide its members with opportunities for professional development and peer support, ultimately building a network of resources to enhance student success. Equally important is the representation and promotion of the interests of academic advising within the larger body of Tennessee community colleges and applied technical colleges.

Goal

TAAN will promote and enhance the academic advising profession by:

  • Encouraging the professional development of academic advisors

  • Moving beyond a transactional model for advising, through professional development, into a relational advising model to establish a genuine interpersonal relationship

  • Providing Networking opportunities

  • Recognizing professional/faculty advisors and advising administrators for their excellence in the field of advising

  • Supporting the goals and core values of NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising

Objectives

1. To foster an environment that supports academic advising as a teaching/ learning relationship between students and advisors.
2. To promote collaboration across college advising programs.
3. To provide advisor development programs for those engaged in academic advising.

Please visit the membership application to sign-up today! 

 

PDF icon Review the TAAN By-Laws

Updates & Events

SAVE THE DATE!

TBR Advising Academy 
February 29-March 1, 2024
TCAT Murfresboro, Smyrna Campus
 
Monthly Statewide Advising Calls
All meetings are at 1:00 pm CT/ 2:00 pm ET
 
January 22, 2025 Virtual
February 26, 2025 Virtual
March 26, 2025 Virtual
April 23, 2025 Virtual
May 21, 2025 Virtual


 

 

Want to be a contributing editor?

Types of Articles for Submission 

  • Perspectives: Opinions and ideas on issues of relevance to advising. We are looking for ideas that stimulate dialogue, get members thinking, and challenge us to take new approaches advising. Perspectives are encouraged from across the full breadth of the industry, and should focus on a single concept or idea. Submissions ideally should be no more than 500 words long. 
  • Feature Articles: Focus on a specific individual, event, or issue (must be related to advising in some way). Feature articles should be written in a conversational style without too many academic citations, and may be 250 to 1,000 words long.

Submission details:

  • Articles should be engaging and clearly written for advisors. 
  • Articles may be returned for revisions or rejected at the discretion of the newsletter committee. 
  • Please submit articles by the 15th of the month to be considered for publication. 
  • Please provide your name and contact information, so our readers may connect with you directly if they have any questions. 
  • All articles should be sent in Word format to Connie Herron at cherron@southwest.tn.edu with the subject line TAAN Newsletter Article Submission. 
  • Photographs with captions are welcome. The author must have permission to use the photos. Include any necessary acknowledgments. Photo should be .jpeg or .png. 

TAAN Committee Nominations are Open!!!

If you or someone you know are interested in serving on the TAAN Committee, the following positions are available:

Position Commitment Length
Vice President 2 Years
Secretary 1 Year
Communications Coordinator 2 Years
Professional Advisor-at-Large 1 Year
Faculty Advisor-at-Large 1 Year

 

Nominate yourself or someone else here!

TAAN Executive Board

President: James Sykes

Academic Advisor
Southwest Tennessee Community College
 
James Sykes was born and raised in Memphis, TN.  He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis, then graduated from Wayne State College with a Master of Science in Information Technology Management. He enjoys creating and designing innovative ways to present topics to a panoramic audience to ensure that even those with little interest or experience might gain worthwhile insight into the content. Before higher education, Mr. Sykes occupied positions for large corporations and regional healthcare companies. For six years, he has worked at Southwest Tennessee Community College as an Academic Advisor, School Certifying Official with the Veterans Affairs, and Career & Academic Community Manager. He enjoys baseball and spending time with family and friends

Vice President/President Elect: Mia Atkins-Beason

Academic Advisor, Advising & Academic Support English Adjunct Professor
Southwest Tennessee Community College

My name is Mia Atkins-Beason and I am a Professional Academic Advisor at Southwest Tennessee Community College (Southwest). I first was hired full-time from Jan. 2016-Jan. 2019. I moved to Murfreesboro with my husband and was hired at TSU as an Asst. Director of Trio Educational Talent Search from Jan. 2019-August 2019 (son got ill and had to move back to Memphis). I was rehired as an Academic Advisor in Sept. 2019 and have been here ever since. I am a former graduate of Southwest May 2012 with two degrees AA Sociology and AS Business Administration and I have a love and passion for what I do because as a former Southwest student. I did Advising for free (in formerly Student Activities) at that time; while in 11 different organizations 6 of which I held leadership roles. I have always had a passion for being there for students and I have rolled that into a career which I am proud.

Communication Coordinator: Connie Herron

Professional Academic Advisor
Southwest Tennessee Community College
 
I have over 20 years in higher education. I am currently a Professional Academic Advisor at Southwest Tennessee Community College. I’ve worked in Student Activities, Career Services, and Admissions and Records. I have an Associate’s degree in Information Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and I have several hobbies.
 

Social Media Coordinator: Donna K. Lanham

Advising Systems Analyst
Roane State Community College

Donna has over twenty years in higher education experience.  She has actively supported the student enrollment services division in the following roles; academic advising, admissions and records, distance education, Banner course/curriculum inventory, academic scheduling, TNeCampus liaison, and web page development.   She was part of the state-wide Banner student implementation team, and provided end-user Banner training.  She currently maintains the course and curriculum inventory for Banner Degree Works curriculum, as well academic room scheduling at Roane State Community College.  

She has the following credentials:
Certified Administrative Professional – IAAP
Appreciative Advising Certified
A.A.S., Pellissippi State - Video Production Technology
A.A., Pellissippi State - General Studies
B.S., Austin Peay State University - Professional Studies
 
Her hobbies include scrapbooking, photography, and traveling.

Professional Advisor at Large: Iris Blair

Academic Advisor
Southwest Tennessee Community College
 
Iris Blair grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. She always loved studying and making good grades. Iris’ mother and father raised her and six siblings in Memphis. As a first-generation college student, receiving an associate degree from Southwest was life changing. It was a goal she dreamed of accomplishing since she was a child. She earned an associate of science degree with Honors from Southwest in 2013. Obtaining an associate degree left her with the desire to learn more. She decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree and graduated from the University of Memphis in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with Honors. Her parents are proud of her accomplishments. Iris enjoys music, shopping, jokes, learning new things, watching the latest TV shows and movies, and occasional walks in the park. Most of all, she likes spending time with family and being a professional academic advisor at Southwest Tennessee Community College where she loves interacting with the diverse student population.
 
 

Faculty Advisor at Large: Tiffany Scruggs

Academic Advisor/Adjunct Instructor
Chattanooga State Community College

 

I have been at Chattanooga State for 18 years, with 14 of those years in academic advising.  I currently advise for engineering and information technologies.  In addition to advising, I have 11 years of experience as an adjunct instructor for college success.

 

Secretary: Rhonda McWhorter

Academic Advisor
Chattanooga State Community College

Rhonda McWhorter has been in higher education for 15 years and has held several positions at Chattanooga State Community College. Currently serving as the advisor for math and sciences, she assists in helping to shape students’ educational journey. In addition to advising Rhonda also serves as the TAAN executive board secretary, Chatt State cheer and dance coach and peer mentor supervisor. Rhonda truly believes in helping people become their best self by motivating and encouraging others. She lives each day with the belief that everyone has a purpose and a part to play in this life and finds joy in helping people realize who they are.