Faculty mentors

Amy  J. Armstrong the Associate Dean of Faculty Development for the College  as well as an associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation  Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been involved in  advocacy, education and employment issues related to individuals with  disabilities for over 35 years. She has extensive experience providing  national personnel training on a variety of topics. Armstrong has held  community agency positions including both direct service and management  at the local, regional and national levels. Her interests include the  employment of individuals with significant disabilities, community  re-integration, wellbeing and positive psychology, and appreciative  leadership. She received an MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from  Michigan State University and a PhD in Education from VCU. She also has  The Appreciative Inquiry Certificate of Positive Business and Societal  Change from the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve  University and is a certified Appreciative Inquiry facilitator.

Dr. Jeanie Cockell, Co-President, Cockell McArthur-Blair Consulting, is a dynamic facilitator and a leader in Appreciative Inquiry as an organizational and community development process and a research methodology.  Since 1999 Jeanie has worked as a consultant with education institutions and organizations in the private, public, and social-profit sectors. She has extensive experience in facilitating, presenting, training, coaching, working with conflict, leading, and collaboratively designing strategies for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities to build positive futures and to respond effectively to change.

Dr. Denise Henning (Cherokee/Choctaw) has had numerous roles in her 20 years in higher education with 13 of those years as executive leadership.   As faculty and an experienced executive, Denise has worked with professionals and aspiring academicians to become strong - positive leaders.  She is focused on fostering shared leadership using an appreciative framework at its core.  Throughout her career, Denise has served as faculty and mentor in multiple leadership development institutes and is committed to making the academic environment a more positive and inspiring environment that is 'future focused and future ready.'

Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair, Co-President, Cockell McArthur-Blair Consulting, is an inspirational writer, speaker, and facilitator with more than 25 years of institutionally based work as an educator.  Joan specializes in the use of Appreciative Inquiry in leadership, strategic planning, and innovative strategies for organizational development. She also provides short-term leadership through executive-to-go services. Joan has fulfilled faculty, department head, dean, vice president, and president roles over her career at four diverse Canadian Colleges. 

Dr, Symphony Oxendine  (Cherokee/Choctaw) is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina. Her research includes critical awareness of the social and institutional issues that affect the educational performance and institutional support of American Indians and other underrepresented groups.  Symphony is well known for her leadership with Historically Native American Sororities and in national/international organizations. Symphony became a practitioner in Appreciative Inquiry in 2014 and is committed to increased inclusion of women and underrepresented leadership in the academy.

Dawn Dixon is a seasoned professional who has worked in various industries  including corporate, nonprofit and governmental agencies. She recently  completed 17 years as an educational leader in the NC Community College  System (NCCCS). Prior to joining the NCCCS, Dawn held senior roles at  institutions including Northern Arizona University and Simmons College. During her career in education Dawn has held many leadership  positions including Senior Program Director, Department Chair, Dean and Associate Vice President.

Throughout her career, Dawn has been passionate about educational access and student success. She has created numerous instructional programs geared toward students' academic and  career development. Dawn serves on the advisory board for the Health  & Fitness program at Johnston Community College, is the past board  chair of Neuse Charter School, and continues to work with many community organizations such as Recruitment Ready, to better align secondary and postsecondary education. Dawn is currently pursuing her certification in Appreciative Inquiry Facilitation.