NCBAA NORTHEAST 2026 Speaker Bios

Dr. DeRionne Pollard was named president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in July of 2025. Her passion for higher education has driven her leadership in several roles, most recently as the president of Nevada State University, Montgomery College (MD), and Las Positas College (CA).

Dr. Pollard’s career in higher education began in the classroom teaching English and she remains deeply committed to life-long learning for her students and herself. A student-centered ethos is at the core of her leadership and she is a champion for access, fairness, and opportunity for all. Throughout her career, Dr. Pollard’s vision has been grounded in a belief that higher education is a pillar of economic mobility and community strength.

Dr. Pollard’s experience in the higher education sector is rich, having served on the American Association of Community Colleges’ 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges, the Commission on Academic, Student, and Community Development, and the Board of Directors. Dr. Pollard is a member of the National Board of Directors and Executive Committee for Generation Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the success of teen parents and parenting college students.

Dr. Pollard was named one of Washington’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian Magazine, won a 2017 Academic Leadership Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and a Visionary Award from the Washington Area Women’s Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies in higher education from Loyola University Chicago.

Dr. Pollard is the first woman to be named president and CEO of AACC and now serves as the nation’s leading advocate for community colleges.

Dr. Rebecca Dupas is an award-winning poet, seven-time author, and seasoned educator with over two decades of experience in writing, public speaking, and workshop facilitation. She holds a Ph.D. in Adult and Secondary Education, where her research explored the impact of diversity training on White teachers in urban schools a subject that continues to shape both her professional practice and artistic expression.

Dr. Dupas is the author of Not Without Black Women, Somebody Else’s Blues, and Mario Goes to the Museum—a children’s book that explores African American history, museum accessibility, and the power of intergenerational learning. Her body of work delves deeply into the Black experience, radical acceptance, and resilience.

She began her career as a classroom teacher and has since expanded her reach as a program manager and director of education, designing and leading community-centered learning experiences for both youth and adult learners. Her work includes curriculum development, training facilitation, and the creation of safe, dialogue-rich spaces that foster growth, reflection, and skill-building across diverse communities.

As a multi-disciplinary artist, Dr. Dupas merges her passion for education and storytelling through poetry-infused workshops and literary engagements. Her work has been featured on major platforms including ABC, C-SPAN, PBS, WHUR, and The Washington Post.

Whether working in classrooms, boardrooms, or community spaces, Dr. Rebecca Dupas is known for her ability to engage participants with authenticity, insight, and purpose.

Dr. Alycia Marshall is the seventh president of Community College of Philadelphia, bringing the outstanding leadership, expertise, and dedication to student success required for the city’s college. Her experience and innovation will help our College elevate programs and offerings that move our students and our city forward. Dr. Marshall served as the College’s interim president prior to being named president. In her previous role as provost and vice president for Academic and Student Success, she oversaw Academic Affairs, Workforce Development and Student Support and Engagement.

Dr. Marshall began her career in higher education at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) in Maryland where she was a tenured Full Professor of Mathematics, Department Chair of Mathematics and Associate Vice President for Learning and Academic Affairs. She holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Maryland College Park, a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Bowie State University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Dr. G. Duncan Harris currently serves as an executive search consultant for the Association of Community College Trustees. Prior to this, he retired after 30 years of service to public higher education in Connecticut. His final role was serving as the CEO of the Capital Campus of Connecticut State Community College (formerly Capital Community College) in Hartford, CT, from 2018-2025. Past roles include: chief student affairs and enrollment officer, associate dean of academic affairs, counselor and coordinator of academic affairs, and a host of interim roles of varying durations.

He holds a Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Science degree in counseling from Central CT State University, a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Connecticut, and a certificate in Management and Leadership from Harvard University. He currently resides in Windsor, CT with his lovely wife of 24 years, Garcia, and is the proud father of three children, Jocelyn, a sixth-grade teacher, and two collegians, Grant and Grayson, both students at Hampton University.

 Dr. Larry D. Johnson Jr. began his tenure as the seventh president of CUNY Bronx Community College (BCC) in July 2025. An accomplished educator and advocate for community colleges and their students, Dr. Johnson joins BCC after four years of innovative leadership as president of CUNY’s Guttman Community College, where he contributed to the College’s historic enrollment growth. President Johnson has demonstrated a strong commitment to the transformative mission of community colleges throughout his career – at CUNY and in his previous posts around the country, Prior to arriving at CUNY, Johnson was a leader and faculty member at
community colleges in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Missouri.

President Johnson attended two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in English literature, and Clark Atlanta University, where he received a Doctor of Arts in humanities and English literature. He earned his M.A. in humanities and a graduate certificate from Florida State University.

President Johnson recently completed an institute at Harvard University Extension School that centered on crisis leadership in higher education. President Johnson serves on the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Board of Directors and is a board member of the CUNY Research Foundation, National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs, and Phipps Neighborhoods. He also is an Aspen Fellow, participating in the inaugural
New Presidents Fellowship, and a recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Paragon Award.

Dr. Sharale W. Mathis is an innovative, strategic and inclusive leader with over 20 years of higher education experience in both academic and student affairs with a deep commitment tofaculty and staff empowerment. Currently, Dr. Mathis serves as the inaugural Campus President of CT State Community College, Capital and Tunxis. She formerly held the position of Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs at Holyoke Community College (HCC) in Massachusetts where she implemented a "One Team" framework to increase student success through an
equity-supported lens to advance student outreach, enrollment, retention, and overall success.

In addition to her role as an educator, she volunteers on community, state, national,
professional and higher education advisory committees and boards. Currently, she serves on the American Association of Community College Commission on Institutional Infrastructure and Transformation, National Council on Black American Affairs – Northeast Connecticut Chapter and appointed to the University of Hartford’s College of Education, Nursing & Health Professions Board of Visitors. Dr. Mathis is a Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership Fellow. In addition, she has served as Chair of the Massachusetts Community College Chief Academic Officers Council and on the EAB Community College Research Advisory Council.

Mathis holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Hartford, Master of Health Sciences in Biomedical Sciences from Quinnipiac University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Eastern Connecticut State University. Dr. Mathis also completed the Yale School of Management Executive Education, Women’s Leadership Certificate program.

David Baime serves as senior vice president for government relations for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). In this role, he directs the national advocacy efforts for the nation’s close to 1,200 community colleges and their students. Prior to joining AACC, he served as director of education funding for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He has also worked as assistant director of government relations for the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Baime has made a number of radio, television, and Web appearances, including on CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, and National Public Radio, and is frequently quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and other education publications.

Baime holds a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College and a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics.

Dr. Carlos Thomas is an accomplished IT leader who has held senior leadership positions in higher education, government, and manufacturing, including 21 years of instruction in higher education. He has successfully led and delivered strategic initiatives that include digital transformation in higher education, business intelligence alignment with IT in municipal government, and IT governance during a corporate M&A initiative.

Prior to joining Info-Tech, Carlos held positions as CIO, Vice-President for IT, IT Auditor World- Wide, and Executive Fellow, where he implemented IT governance policies, achieved digital transformation of business processes, and worked with stakeholders to develop a strategic data roadmap that aligned IT goals with internal stakeholders’ data needs for enterprise-wide business analytics implementation.

Carlos holds several degrees, including a BS in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University, an MA in Sociology from the University of Memphis, an MS Information Systems & Decision Sciences from Louisiana State University, a PhD in Public Administration from Tennessee State University, and a PhD from Louisiana State University in Business Administration (Information Systems & Decision Sciences).

Cecelia A. Knox is solution-focused strategist with more than 25 years of experience in workforce development, career coaching, and group facilitation. A recently retired college administrator, she consults with leaders of organizations in the development of workplace competencies, with an emphasis on leadership, equity, and team building. Ms. Knox is a John Maxwell certified coach, speaker, trainer. She holds a master’s degree and is currently completing doctoral research focusing on the best practices for adult learners. One of her greatest joys is continuing a legacy of excellence as the dean for the NBCAA Leadership Development Institute.

Dr. Tammy Robinson serves as President of Metropolitan Community College–Penn Valley in Kansas City, Missouri, where she leads with a deep commitment to student success, community partnership, and workforce innovation. She previously served as President of Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, and earlier as Vice President of Instruction at Cañada College in Redwood City, California. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education as both an educator and administrator, Dr. Robinson brings a practitioner’s insight and a strategist’s vision to the community college mission.

A nationally recognized leader, Dr. Robinson currently serves as Co–Vice President of Programs and Immediate Past President of the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA), an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. She also serves as a commissioner on the Student Success Committee, where she contributes to advancing equity- centered, outcomes-driven practices across the sector. Her scholarship and leadership include co-authoring multiple large-scale grants totaling millions of dollars in support of workforce development, faculty professional learning, and educational technology initiatives.

Dr. Robinson holds a Doctor of Education with an emphasis in Community College Administration from the University of Southern California, a Master of Arts in English from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and undergraduate degrees from UCLA in Political Science and Cerritos College in Social Science.

Guernica Williams is an educator, content strategist, and storyteller driven by a singular conviction: the narratives we assign to students shape the futures they are allowed to imagine. With more than 20 years of experience across K–12 and higher education, her work centers on restoring possibility, agency, and excellence through education that is both rigorous and deeply human.

She is the founder of iChangeTheNarrative (est. 2018), a signature initiative that
challenges deficit-based frameworks by reshaping how Black males are seen, through mentorship, leadership development, culturally affirming education, and storytelling that restores agency and possibility.

Guernica holds a Master’s Equivalency in Teaching, an M.A. in Communications from Penn State University, a B.F.A. in Acting from Howard University College of Fine Arts, and a diploma from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, a multidisciplinary foundation that allows her to merge academic research, communication theory, and narrative practice into transformative educational design. She has taught grade levels k-12 with a focus on teaching English, Journalism, and Communications at the high school level, and has written and edited curriculum for Johns Hopkins University, infusing scholarship with creativity, cultural relevance, and clarity.

Since 2017, she has served as the Coordinator of CCBC’s Early College Program at Woodlawn High School, guiding students through accelerated academic pathways while helping them rewrite what is possible for their lives.

In addition, Guernica is the Chief Content Architect & Visionary Strategist of After 6 Media Group, LLC, where she leads narrative-driven strategies that amplify voices, shift perception, and catalyze meaningful impact across education and media.

Dr. Latonia V. Moss is an educator and creative writer. She has written broadly, penning poetry, plays, and book chapters. She holds both a Doctor of Education and Master of Fine Arts. Her latest publications: The Illusive Rank and Promotion Journey.” In Faculty Success in the Academy: Tips, Tools, and Resources for Success,” and “Removing the Cape—Sometimes.” In Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving: Amplifying Voices of Black and Brown Women in the Mental Health Profession chapter contributions were published late 2025. She currently serves as a full professor at Baltimore City Community College teaching literature and communication courses and when she is not teaching, she is writing. Beyond teaching and writing, Dr. Moss enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures and cuisines. Her journeys have taken her to Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja, Benin City and Abuja), Germany, and across the United States—from Florida, Mississippi, Boston, New Orleans, Maine, and Tennessee. Her
most recent trips include Pompano, Florida, Chicago, Illinois, and Baltimore’s Habor. Regularly staycations are a part of her travel itinerary exploring Baltimore’s various neighborhoods while writing away from home. She also enjoys daily reading and spending time in nature sightseeing the many trails around Baltimore City.

Dr. Johari A. Barnes is a visionary leader and changemaker currently serving as the Special Assistant to the Vice President of Administrative Services at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). In this pivotal role, she is spearheading CCBC’s first-ever Integrated Master Plan—a bold strategic blueprint that will shape the College’s academic and facilities growth for the next decade.

With over 14 years of service at CCBC, Dr. Barnes has worn many hats—excelling in roles across instruction, student services, and administrative services. She’s also shared her expertise in the classroom as an adjunct professor at both two-year and four-year institutions in the Baltimore area.

A passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Barnes is deeply
committed to cultivating environments where students and staff feel seen, supported, and empowered. Her work in retention and belonging reflects her belief that education should be transformative and accessible to all.

Beyond the campus, Dr. Barnes is a force in the Baltimore County community. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce and the Community Leadership Board for The Y of Catonsville. Nationally, she holds the role of Vice President of Organizational Vitality for the National Council of Black American Affairs (NCBAA), Northeast Region—advancing equity and leadership development across the country.

Dr. Barnes earned her doctorate in education with a focus in Community College Leadership from Morgan State University, a Master’s in Publications Design from University of Baltimore, and a Bachelor’s in English from Coppin State University. She is also a proud graduate of the NCBAA Leadership Development Institute (2017). As the founder of JohariMade Solutions, Dr. Barnes works to amply transformative narratives in higher education, equity, and leadership for Black Women.

Dr. Tekora Scruggs is a strategic leader in higher education and the nonprofit sector with more than 20 years of experience advancing student success, retention, and engagement across community colleges, four-year institutions, and national college access organizations. She currently serves as Director of Alumni Engagement, leading the development and execution of a national alumni strategy focused on leadership development, sustained connection, and postsecondary mobility.

Dr. Scruggs has served in key roles at Howard University, University of Mount Olive, North Carolina Central University, American University, and Prince George’s Community College, as well as with national organizations such as UNCF and PeerForward (formerly College Summit). In these roles, she has directed grant-funded initiatives, developed and expanded peer mentoring and student support programs, managed multi-institution partnerships, and improved retention and persistence through strategic planning, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.

In addition to her professional leadership, Dr. Scruggs is active in community and national service. She serves as a Steering Committee Member with the Black First-Gen Collective, a Board Member with Say Y.E.S., a member of the Shaw University National Alumni Association Scholarship Committee, and a UNCF Scholarship Reader.

Dr. Scruggs holds a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership from
Morgan State University, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Shaw University. Her leadership is grounded in clarity, accountability, and long-term impact, with a focus on building programs and systems that support students and alumni well beyond graduation.

Dr. Lisa Tittle has been teaching developmental reading and writing courses and English composition for many years. She loves helping students reach their educational and career goals. Her interests in effective teaching involve integrating student success activities into the classroom and active learning. Additional interests in higher education include reaccreditation, strategic planning, and dual enrollment.

Dr. Tittle started her educational career at Harford Community College as a high school senior. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Towson University.  After teaching language arts for several years in the public school system, she earned a master’s degree from McDaniel College in curriculum and instruction. In 2014, she earned a doctorate degree in community college leadership from Morgan State University.  She is a lifelong resident of Maryland.

L. Michelle Jackson is a first-year doctoral student in the Community College
Leadership Program at Morgan State University, where her research and professional focus center on governance, leadership, and equity in community colleges.

She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at the
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), where she contributes to institutional governance, strategic oversight, and student success initiatives at one of Maryland’s largest community colleges. Her lived and professional experiences at the intersection of leadership, identity, and decision-making spaces directly inform her work and scholarship.

L. Michelle brings more than a decade of federal government leadership experience, where governance and organizational effectiveness were central to her work. She has served in roles including Program Analyst, Acting Deputy Division Director, Team Lead, and Special Assistant, leading cross-functional initiatives and supporting executive-level operations during periods of organizational change.

Her commitment to education began as a high school teacher with Baltimore County Public Schools and continues through her leadership, mentorship, and advocacy for equitable access and outcomes for students.

L. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a
concentration in Finance from Bowie State University, a master’s degree in
management from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, and a Certificate in
Instructional Technology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She also studied at North Carolina A&T State University.

Antione (Anton) D. Tomlin, PhD, PCC, is a tenured Associate Professor and chair of Academic Literacies and Program Director for the Life and Engagement Coaching Training Certificate at Anne Arundel Community College. A proud Baltimore City native and first-generation college graduate, Antione is guided by core values including Autonomy, Flexibility, Learning, Respect, Transparency, Honesty, and Fun. Since 2013, he has taught English in higher education, driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of education and inspired daily by his students’ curiosity and dedication. Beyond the classroom, Antione is a trained and certified Life and Engagement Coach, holding the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coach Federation (ICF) and leading his own coaching practice, Best AT Coaching!, LLC. He earned his BS in psychology from Stevenson University, MA in higher education and student affairs from Morgan State University, and PhD in Language, Literacy, and Culture from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His research and
publications explore the experiences of Black and Brown faculty, staff, and students in higher education.

Melissa (Mel) Akhimiemona. Professor Melissa (Mel) Akhimiemona is a computer science educator and technology professional based in Maryland. She serves as a Professor and CSIT (Computer Science and Information Technology) Coordinator at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), where she provides academic leadership and supports the development and advancement of computing programs at the college.

Professor Akhimiemona teaches a broad range of courses, including computer
programming languages, database systems, and other core computing disciplines. She is committed to equipping students with both theoretical foundations and practical technical skills necessary for success in the rapidly evolving technology field. In addition to her academic and administrative responsibilities, Professor Akhimiemona is actively engaged in hands-on technological innovation, including building and programming robots. Her work reflects a strong dedication to experiential learning, ethical technology practices, and preparing students to become skilled, responsible computing professionals.

Dr. Nnatubemugo (Nat) Ngwum is an Assistant Professor at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), where he primarily teaches programming languages. Before joining CCBC, he served as an adjunct faculty member at Towson University beginning in 2016, teaching a wide range of interdisciplinary Computer Science and Information Technology courses, including project management. He holds an active Project Management Professional (PMP) and ITIL certification, a doctorate in Information Technology from Towson University, and a master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Manchester, UK. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Ngwum has extensive industry and government experience in IT security, where he led major cybersecurity initiatives, strengthened organizational security programs, and collaborated with executive leadership on strategic decisions. His professional contributions include security risk management, evaluation of large-scale contracts, and oversight of innovative security solutions.

Lindsey Barclay is the Online Student Support Services Coordinator on the eLearning Services team at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC). In her role, Lindsey provides students with resources and tools that support their success in online, remote, and hybrid courses.

Prior to joining PGCC, Lindsey worked at a college attainment non-profit in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she provided direction to a team of college access professionals serving high school juniors and seniors. In addition to her work in college access and success, she gained valuable direct service experience while serving in roles in residence life and student affairs at several universities.

Lindsey earned her master’s degree in applied sociology and her bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology and sociology, both from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She has continued her professional development through Georgetown University’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program, Leadership Montgomery’s CORE program, and the MarylandOnline Leadership Institute’s Residential Program.

Chelsea Durbin is a doctoral candidate in the Community College Leadership program at Morgan State University. She is passionate about exploring avenues that enhance the educational experiences of community college students. Her research focuses on two interconnected areas: community college student engagement and dual enrollment participation. Her dissertation examines the engagement of minority community college students who participated in dual enrollment during high school and finds that academic motivation and clear educational goals are significant predictors of student engagement, while family support also plays a meaningful role in shaping students’ college experiences.

With over 18 years of experience in higher education, Chelsea has spent more than half of her career serving students in vocational and community college settings. Through her professional experiences, she has developed a strong commitment to improving student outcomes and advancing access to higher education. She has worked in a variety of student-focused roles, including academic advising, admissions and recruitment, transcript evaluation, degree auditing and planning, financial aid, and student retention.