Advisory Council for Access and Culture
Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP - Chair
Associate Vice Chancellor for Access and Compliance
Office of Access and Compliance
Dr. Alston’s employment within The University of Tennessee System spans 30+ years with stints at UT- Martin, UT-Knoxville, and UT Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. Michael's work experience in higher education encompasses residence life administration, student recruitment and admissions, undergraduate instruction, employee relations, student conduct administration and equity and diversity.
He is an alumnus of The University of Tennessee at Martin earning a BS in Psychology and MS in Educational Psychology and Guidance. Michael also has an earned doctorate in higher education administration from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in addition to a professional certificate/certification in Diversity Management from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University.
Michael is a native of Brighton, Tennessee in Tipton County and graduate of Munford High School.
Chandra Alston, EdD, SPHR, SHRM-SCP - Advisory Member
Vice Chancellor
Human Resources
Dr. Chandra Alston is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources at UT Health Science Center with twenty (20) years of service. She earned her Bachelors of Business Administration from UT Martin, and MBA from Union University, and an EdD in Leadership from the University of Memphis. Dr. Alston has worked in several departments on campus interacting with faculty, staff and students. Developing, training, and encouraging employees are passions that she has cultivated throughout her career.
Connie Childs, MA
Director, International Affairs
International Affairs
Connie Childs is the Director of International Affairs at The UT Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. She first came to Memphis as an F-1 student from Denmark and obtained a BA in English as a Second Language and an MA in English Linguistics from The University of Memphis. She has worked with international students since 1993 at The University of Memphis and with international scholars and staff since 1997 at UT Health Science Center. She has been involved with workshop curriculum development for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, where she has also served on the Policy and Practice Committee, as well as presented workshops and sessions at NAFSA conferences.
Cassandra Christiansen, RDH, MPA, EdD
Director of School-Based Programs and Community Outreach
College of Dentistry, Dental Hygiene
Cassandra Holder Christiansen graduated with Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Dental Hygiene from Tennessee State University/ Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN; She earned both a Masters of Public Administration degree and Doctorate of Education from the University of Memphis. Cassandra has over twenty-five years experience in dentistry, which began as a high-school part-time job and has evolved into a lifetime vocation. She is dedicated to the prevention of oral diseases focusing in underserved populations.
Currently, Cassandra is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN where she is serving as the Director of School Based Programs and Community Outreach
Her teaching responsibilities include Aseptic practices and Infection Control, Prevention and Patient Education, and Oral Radiology. Cassandra is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the National Dental Hygienists’ Association, Sigma Phi Alpha, and Delta Sigma Theta. She has published various abstracts, articles, and a series of dental health manuals for West Virginia school teachers. Cassandra has spoke and presented numerous scientific posters at local and national meetings. She serves as a dental consultant and provides continuing education in the area of Infection Control, Diversity in the Workplace and Dental Hygiene Practice Management.
Alicia Diaz-Thomas, MD, MPH
Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
College of Medicine, Pediatrics
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and came to the continental US as a young child. As far as I can remember, I wanted to be a physician. I completed my studies at Tulane University and Medical School and became board certified in Internal Medicine and in Pediatrics. Later, I pursued a fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of South Florida and am also board certified in Pediatric Endocrinology. I have been at the UT Health Science Center since July 2011. I am fortunate to have a position that allows me to grow in my clinical work, to teach medical students, residents, fellows, nurses and other medical staff, to participate in clinical research and to work together with my colleagues to use all of these avenues to improve the care of our patients in Tennessee and the Mid-South.
Andrea Franks, PharmD, BCPS
Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Curricular Affairs
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy; Department
of Family Medicine, UT Graduate School of Medicine
Dr. Andrea Franks is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science in the UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. Her clinical practice, teaching, and research site is in Family Medicine at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. Dr. Franks teaches throughout the PharmD curriculum and serves as a preceptor in Family Medicine for PharmD students as well as PGY-1 and PGY-2 pharmacy residents at UT Medical Center.
Marlon Hall
Financial Coordinator
Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
Stephanie Lancaster, EdD, OTR/L, ATP, CDP
Assistant Professor, Program Director
Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Professions
Stephanie is a graduate of the OT program at Washington University in St. Louis and has practiced as an occupational therapist since 1991. She has a specialty certification through RESNA as an assistive technology practitioner and as Certified Dementia Practitioner. In 2013, Stephanie joined the faculty at UT Health Science Center and since that time has earned a Master's in Leadership and Policy Studies with an emphasis on Adult Learning and a doctorate in education (an EdD) in Instruction and Curricular Leadership with an emphasis on Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Memphis. The recipient of the UT Health Science Center Chancellor's Faculty Award, Stephanie serves as Vice Chair on the Executive Board of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) and is the host of the On The Air podcast.
Mark A. Miller, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry
Office of Research
Research Integrity Officer
Dr. Miller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry (MIB) and the Department of Medical Education (MedEd). As a member of MIB, he is a basic science researcher with a focus on bacterial pathogenesis/vaccine development and serves as the interim Director of the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory and as the Chair of the Institutional Biosafety Committee. Dr. Miller teaches foundational immunology and serves as the Course Director for the 1st year medical school course known as Common Mechanisms of Disease, and he serves as the Chair of the Subcommittee for Evaluation and Assessment (SEA). Dr. Miller serves on a number of additional committees involving both the research and education missions at UT Health Science Center.
Eliane Pater, MS
Business Manager
Office of Student Success
Eliane Pater was born in raised in Brazil. She comes from a very humble background and was first in her family to earn a college education. Through her college internship in Brazil, Eliane was granted the opportunity to come to the United States as an international student in 2002. Eliane is a fierce advocate for first-gen college students, as well as minority and international students. Throughout her immigrant journey in this country, Eliane has worked in many different areas, as a nanny, in hospitality, banking, and higher education. Eliane has a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality, and is earning a Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership; she loves culture and languages and speaks three languages fluently.
Trenton Pitts, JD
Director
Office of Business Contracts
Trenton Pitts has worked at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for more than 6 years. He worked in grants and research contracts for both St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and UT Health Science Center, and currently serves as the Director of Business Contracts. Trent earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Oklahoma and both a masters of arts in teaching and a Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis.
Cynthia K. Russell, PhD, RN - Advisory Member
Vice Chancellor
Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs
Dr. Russell holds a PhD in clinical nursing research from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She received a MSN in adult health nursing from West Virginia University in Morgantown and a BSN from Ohio University in Athens. The UT Health Science Center Faculty Senate has honored Russell with three Presidential Citations, an Exceptional Meritorious Achievement Award, and the 2001 Faculty Senator of the Year designation. She has received Student Government Association Teaching Awards and nominations and was a member of the UT Health Science Center Academy of Distinguished Teaching Professors.
Brad Terhune
IT Team Leader
Information Technology Services
Brad Terhune has lived in Memphis, TN since 1991. He obtained a BA in English Literature from Rhodes College in 1991, and earned his Master’s degree from the University of Memphis in 1998. During his time working at the UT Health Science Center, Brad has been a Help Desk technician, an onsite computer repair tech and currently manages the UT Health Science Center ITS Help Desk.
Brad enjoys learning about new technologies, and often helps friends and family with computer issues when he’s not in the office. He’s always ready to play a game of racquetball.
Orpheus L. Triplett, DDS, BS
Associate Dean of Extramural Clinical Education and Community Service
Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry
Dr. Triplett is an alumnus of Alcorn State University, graduating cum laude. He earned his DDS degree from Howard University College of Dentistry and completed a General Practice Residency with the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. He is the recipient of many honors and awards including the College of Dentistry Dean’s Appreciation Award in 2017, a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Steve Cohen in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community in 2018, a City of Memphis Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding and Meritorious Contribution to Our Community in 2018, and a UT President’s Award Citation of Merit in 2019.
Dr. Triplett oversees, encourages, and supports community engagement activities in the College of Dentistry. He is involved in the development and implementation of new programs, and the establishment of new relationships as it relates to the college’s public service mission.
Mona Newsome Wicks, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor and Chair, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department
College of Nursing
Mona Newsome Wicks, PhD, RN, FAAN, a university educator for over 30 years, has participated in diversity, inclusion, health disparities, and cultural competence work for more than 20 years. Her research and scholarship in these areas include extramurally-funded research and invited presentations and peer-reviewed publications. In addition, she reviewed grant applications for the National Institutes of Health, Center for Scientific Review for two terms as a member of the Health Disparities and Equity Promotion Scientific Review Group. Dr. Wicks developed and taught a doctoral course and participated in webinar development focused on diversity and inclusion, and previously served as Lead Co-chair for the American Academy of Nursing Expert Panel on Cultural Competence and Health Equity. She remains an active member of this group.