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August 1, 2005

Calhoun Announces New Deans

Calhoun Community College President Marilyn Beck today announced the appointment of two new deans at the college. Dr. Mary Yarbrough, formerly Dean of Calhoun's Huntsville/Cummings Research Park campus, has been named Dean of Technologies and Workforce Development and Alicia Taylor, most recently Director of Academic Programs for the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, has been named Interim Dean of Calhoun's Huntsville campus.

A long-time employee of Calhoun, Yarbrough has served in a number of other posts at the college. Prior to becoming Huntsville campus dean, she served as chair of the Business division and director of the Tech Prep Consortium and the Morgan-Lawrence-Limestone Counties School-to-Career Partnership. During her tenure at Calhoun, she has also served as chair of the Business Administration department as well as an instructor in the Business division.

At Calhoun, Yarbrough has been the sole author and administrator for grants awarded to the college totaling close to $2 million, and was instrumental in the college recently securing a $3.5 million Department of Labor grant for the establishment of the new Center for Manufacturing Innovation. Additionally, she has been actively involved in the local community, serving on the boards of BizTech, Sci-Quest, and the Madison County Cooperating Committee (MC3) as well as the advisory board for the New Century Technology High School . She has significant work in the areas of economic and workforce development, having served as a member of the North Alabama International Trade Association and various committees with the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and has presented over 50 presentations locally, regionally and nationally on Calhoun's role in workforce development.

Yarbrough holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing from The University of Alabama, a master's in Economics from Auburn University , and a Ph.D. in Administration, also from The University of Alabama.

As Director of Academic Programs at the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, Taylor was responsible for developing policies and procedures in the areas of instructional and developmental/remedial education and in assisting with the review of faculty credentialing and certification qualifications. With 16 years of experience in the educational arena, she has also served as Interim Dean of the College at Chattahoochee Valley Community College, held several positions at Shelton State Community College , and served as assistant professor in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of West Alabama .

Taylor earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Alabama and is presently completing requirements for the Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership, also from UA. In 2002, she was named to Who's Who Among America 's Teachers and is a member of several professional organizations which include the Alabama Instructional Officers Association, the American Educational Research Association, the American Mathematical Association for Two-Year Colleges , the Capstone College of Education Society, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

"Calhoun is indeed fortunate to have the expertise of both Dr. Yarbrough and Ms. Taylor as we continue our work in education and workforce development and training in this community," commented Dr. Beck. "The professionalism, experience and leadership skills both bring to their positions will be invaluable to the college."

Coverage of this release:

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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