Gayle Wood selected for Fellows Program

Gayle Wood, director of Access and Diversity, has been selected to participate in the 2008 Maxine Smith Fellows Program sponsored by the Tennessee Board of Regents, the nation’s sixth largest higher education system and Pellissippi State’s governing body.

The 10-month program provides opportunities for underrepresented faculty and staff of TBR institutions to participate in a working and learning environment that will enhance their employment experience and career development.

Each of the eight fellows accepted this year is assigned to an administrative mentor. Marylou Apple, president of Motlow State Community College in Tullahoma, will be Wood’s mentor.

“This is an awesome opportunity for me,” said Wood, a 19-year employee of Pellissippi State. “I’ll be able to learn more about TBR and the legislative processes used to make the difficult decisions that impact all of the colleges and universities in the system.

“But more important, this experience will help me serve our students in a more informed manner.”

President Allen Edwards nominated Wood to participate in the program.

Maxine Smith, a longtime educator and Civil Rights champion, is a former TBR board member and continues to be active in many educational and civic organizations.