Joan Chamberlain
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Joan comes to Jackson State from Roane State Community College where she was an Assistant Professor of Nursing. In that role she provided classroom and clinical instruction, was a faculty advisor, and served on various committees. Before that she was a Health Science Education Instructor for the Chester County Board of Education and a Medical-Surgical Staff Nurse/Part-Time Charge Nurse for Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. Joan has an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Roane State Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regis University in Denver, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Regis University in Denver.
Felicia Ingram
PTA Program Director
Felicia comes to Jackson State from West Tennessee Healthcare where she was a Program Manager, and she has also been an adjunct instructor at Jackson State since 2008. She has served as the Director of Manual Therapy Education and Training at ILWTI and served as a Pediatric Physical Therapist at the Kiwanis Center for Child Development. Felicia has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from The University of Tennessee at Memphis and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University.
Jessica Johnson
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Jessica come to Jackson State from the Jackson Madison County General Hospital where she was a registered nurse in the surgical intensive care unit. In that role she provided competent nursing care to critically ill patients and precept newly licensed nurses and newly hired nurses to the unit. She also has been a Clinical and lab nurse associate at Jackson State Community College since 2017. Jessica has a, Associate of Science in Nursing from Jackson State Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Business Administration from The University of Tennessee at Martin, and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Post University.
Kara Jones
First Steps Advisor
Kara comes to Jackson State from Freed-Hardeman University where she was the Regional Admissions Director. In that position she was in charge of the Alabama and Mississippi territory, counseled students from applicant stage until move-in, and did recruitment travel throughout the year. She has also worked at Ingram Content Group as a Customer Care Specialist. Kara has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Freed-Hardeman University.
Jennifer Lopes
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Jennifer Lopes comes to Jackson State from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina where she was the Dean of Extended Campus and Online Learning (ECOL). In that position she centralized, systematized, supported, and promoted ECOL to enhance student success, advance program development, and bolster enrollment, oversaw faculty and course observations and evaluations, and oversaw scheduling for online/distance learning courses. She has also served as the QEP Director/Director of the Care Planning Center and the Head of the Humanities Department at Piedmont Technical College. Dr. Lopes has a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in Romance Languages from the University of North Carolina, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina.
Amber Nelms
Director of Institutional Research and Accountability
Amber Nelms comes to Jackson State from Northeast Mississippi Community College where she was the Director of Institutional Effectiveness. In that position she organized and conducted annual needs assessment for the entire institution, organized, trained, and assisted over 70 instructional and non-instructional units in conducting outcomes assessment, and assisted in the biannual strategic planning process. Before she was in that position, Amber was a Radiologic Technology faculty member at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Amber has a Bachelor of Science from Florida Hospital College of Health, a Master of Arts from University of Mississippi, and a Doctor of Education from Delta State University.
Donetta Poisson
First Steps Advisor
Donetta comes to Jackson State from Stratford University where she was an online instructor. Before that she was the Study Abroad Director and an Assistant Professor at J. Mack Robinson College of Business. In her professor roles she taught undergraduate and graduate courses, provided academic advising to students, and designed courses. Donetta has a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Georgia State University, a Master of Science in Consumer Services Management from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, a Doctor of Philosophy in Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management from The University of Tennessee Knoxville, and a Certificate in Academic Advising from Austin Peay State University.
Oliver Rieger
First Steps Advisor
Oliver comes to Jackson State from the Jackson-Madison County Library where he was the Teen Services Manager. In that role he provided library programming to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of the teen population, and curated the young adult materials collection. Before that he was a Case Manager at Aseracare Hospice and a Registered Nurse at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. Oliver has an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Jackson State Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Music Performance from Austin Peay State University.
Sheila Rutto
Assistant Professor of Math
Sheila comes to Jackson State from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant. She has also taught Mathematics and Business Studies at high schools in Nairobi, Eldoret, and Baringo in Kenya. Sheila has a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Data Science from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas.