Hello to our newcomers to AFSA, goodbye to those moving on!

In the past few months the Office of Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs has seen many new faces, and has said goodbye to a few of our team members as well.

AFSA has welcomed four newcomers in the past few months, each of whom fill an important role within their respective units. Here are a few introductions, written by our new team members, telling us a little bit more about what they do here at UTHSC: 

Theresa Watson:

“My name is Theresa Watson, my role at UTHSC is the Evenings and Weekend Circulation Assistant at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Health Sciences Library.  I am originally from Pasadena, California, however I'm definitely a Memphian, having resided in Memphis since 1994. During the Pandemic I was hired to work weekends in the Library, and later transitioned to Full time employment in April 2023. As a Circulation Assistant I handle frontline library customer service to our UTHSC students, staff and Faculty.  Within my first year of living in Memphis I worked part time as library page for Main Public Library, located at the corner of Peabody and McClean back in the day.  Sometime later I accepted a position with the City of Memphis Government where I held customer service-based positions until retirement.  Working part time at UTHSC made me realize the work-life balance I was looking for, gladly accepted the opportunity Full Time. Professional / Career Development is encouraged, working with positive people and students who are engaged, overall, this is a working environment that demonstrates high morale. ” 
 

Lymonté Thomas:

“I am the Student Service Specialist III, I started working at UTHSC in May of 2023.  In my position, I primarily provide educational verification and transcripts for students and alumni of UTHSC. Prior to coming to UTHSC, I was a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where I worked in the graduate programs office for the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences. I am currently still in graduate school at UT Martin. I am pursuing my MSeD in Higher Education, Leadership, and projected to graduate in August of 2023. I received two undergraduate degrees from UT Martin as well, a BFA in theatre and a BA in political science. This is my first full time position in higher education, but not my first time working with higher education.” 
 

Catrina White:

Teaching and Learning Assistant. June 7, 2023: 
“I provide support for student learning. I assist the medical technologist and/ or my manager by staging and de-staging instructional labs. My strongest characteristics include being responsible for the work assigned, dependability for meeting deadlines, paying attention to detail, and being a team player. I'm passionate about physiology and medicine. After earning a bachelors and masters degree in biology, I took part in translational research at UTHSC for about 3 years. My current position is the next step in my career. I enjoy working in a positive environment with my coworkers, manager, and working together as a team to provide support for the students/ faculty. I also enjoying seeing the curriculums and labs taught at UTHSC. I'm passionate about music, traveling, and self care.”
 

Keshia Pree:

Student Services Coordinator: 
“I am originally from San Diego, CA, however I currently reside in Nesbit, MS. I started on July 10, 2023. Working in higher education has been very rewarding. It has afforded me the opportunity to shape the lives of young people and contribute to their future success. When I am not working, I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family. I have a bachelor’s degree of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership. I have 9 years of experience in higher education. I assist students, departments, and the Colleges with all aspects of graduation, degree audits, academic progress, and Programs of Study.”  

We have also said goodbye to a few of our team members as well. Please extend your best wishes as they go on to continue their professional journey:
 
Alexandria Littlejohn (SASSI), Laurie Brooks (SASSI), and Genesis Ricks (EM) are leaving UTHSC. Delicia Pryor, Arma White, and Veronica Davis transitioned from the GEB to the College of Dentistry on July 1, 2023.  

Please extend your warmest welcomes and best wishes to Theresa Watson, Lymonté Thomas, Catrina White, Keshia Pree, Alexandria Littlejohn, Laurie Brooks, Genesis Ricks, Delicia Pryor, Arma White, and Veronica Davis!