Dr. Sarah Ainsworth
Associate Professor, Psychology

Dr. Sarah Ainsworth is an Associate Professor of Psychology with more than a decade of teaching experience and a diverse academic background. She earned her bachelor’s degree in German Language and Literature with a minor in Gerontology from the University of Florida and later completed developmental psychology research as a post-baccalaureate student. A Fulbright English Teaching Assistant awardee, she spent a year teaching in Germany before earning her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Florida State University. She previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of North Florida before joining the faculty at what is now Tallahassee State College. She enjoys reading, long walks with friends, and spending time with her adorable and imaginative son. He reminds her every day of her beloved husband, who recently passed away.   

NiñaFe Awong
Director, Special Project and Innovation

Dr. NiñaFe Awong, originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands often referred to as “America's Paradise”, serves as Director of Special Projects and Innovation at Tallahassee State College, where she leads strategic initiatives that expand access to workforce training, advance career and technical education (CTE), and strengthen community partnerships. She has extensive experience at the state and national levels, including serving as Florida’s State Director of Career and Technical Education, overseeing all workforce programs from the 6th grade through the Associate of Science degree. Throughout her career, she has designed and implemented initiatives that prepare diverse learners for high-demand careers while advancing regional economic mobility. A dedicated educator and leader, Dr. Awong is recognized for her ability to align vision with action, cultivating collaboration across sectors to deliver lasting impact. She brings to the President’s Leadership Institute a passion for innovation, access, and creating opportunities that transform lives and communities.

Hope Childree
Director, Wakulla Environmental Institute

Hope Childree serves as the Director of the Wakulla Environmental Institute, bringing more than 30 years of experience in business operations, stakeholder development, senior-level project management, and grant writing. A proud Virginia Tech alum, she is known for proactive leadership, collaborative problem solving, and driving process improvements that enhance organizational efficiency and team success. At the Institute, Hope leads efforts to expand programs, develop new initiatives, and strengthen community engagement. Passionate about oyster aquaculture, reef restoration, and marine conservation, she is dedicated to advancing the mission of Tallahassee State College through innovative environmental education and outreach. Hope and her husband, Loyd, have been married for 36 years and enjoy spending time with their three daughters and two grandchildren. 

Rashaud Haywood
Academy Program Manager, High Liabilities, FPSI

Rashaud Haywood is a seasoned public safety professional with a strong background in both law enforcement training and correctional operations. He began his career with the Florida Department of Corrections in 2005, where he gained valuable experience in security, inmate management, and institutional leadership. Now serving as the Academy Program Manager at the Florida Public Safety Institute, Rashaud oversees critical training areas such as firearms, defensive tactics, vehicle operations, and first aid. Known for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to building strong teams, Rashaud remains focused on preparing the next generation of public safety professionals.

Jennifer Helms
Outreach Coordinator, Transfer Services

Jenny Helms serves as the Outreach Coordinator in the Office of Transfer Services at Tallahassee State College (TSC). A graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in English Education, Jenny has dedicated nearly 30 years to supporting students at every stage of their educational journey. She began her career teaching high school English before moving into Adult Education, where she spent a decade teaching GED classes and leading community outreach. After stepping away to raise her three children, Jenny returned to higher education in 2010, working in admissions and student support. She joined TSC in 2018 as a Recruiter and now coordinates outreach initiatives, advises FSU Next students, and oversees the Student Ambassador program, helping students navigate their transition to four-year institutions. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys spending time in nature, exercising, and being with her now-adult children.

Sandy Martin
Benefits Manager

Sandy Martin currently serves as the Human Resources Manager at Tallahassee State College, where she leads a team responsible for benefits administration, time and attendance, retirement, FMLA, workers’ compensation, and more. Before joining TSC in 2016, Sandy spent over nine years with the Florida Retirement System, gaining extensive experience in public sector benefits and retirement planning. She is recognized across the state as an expert in employee benefits, FRS plans, and alternative retirement options. Sandy is passionate about advocating for both employees and retirees, promoting financial and personal wellness as key components of a supportive workplace. She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Florida International University and is actively involved in the Association of Florida Colleges. She chairs the Certified College Professional program and regularly collaborates with HR colleagues across the state on benefits, People First, and Workday implementation and practices.

Joseph McNeil
Faculty, Physical Science

Dr. Joseph McNeil is an Associate Professor and Program Chair of Natural Science at Tallahassee State College (TSC), with a decade of experience teaching physics and astronomy courses across Florida. He holds dual B.S. degrees in Mathematics and Physics from East Tennessee State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Florida. Driven by a passion for scientific discovery and education, Dr. McNeil has spent over four years in the Division of Science and Mathematics at TSC mentoring students throughout their undergraduate experience. He also serves on the Undergraduate Research Council, guiding both students and faculty in meaningful research endeavors. As a dedicated academic leader, he strives to build strong, forward-thinking programs that advance excellence in STEM education. He is committed to cultivating a dynamic learning environment that blends foundational principles with technology and hands-on experiences to prepare students for a successful future in STEM fields.

Freddy Menendez
Director, Information Technology Infrastructure

Freddy Menendez currently serves as the Director of IT Infrastructure at Tallahassee State College (TSC), where he oversees the design, deployment, and security of the college’s core technology systems. He is responsible for managing virtualization platforms, identity and access controls, Network infrastructure and cloud-based services, including Microsoft Azure. A graduate of Florida State University with both a B.S. and M.S. in Information Technology, Freddy brings over a decade of experience in systems administration and enterprise IT operations. His expertise includes implementing identity management platforms, automating processes with PowerShell, and enhancing cybersecurity through multi-factor authentication and endpoint protection. Prior to his current role, Freddy served as a Systems Administrator at TSC and held multiple IT support positions with the Florida Courts System, where he led infrastructure upgrades and data center initiatives.

Lorinda Simon
Faculty, Dental Hygiene

Lorinda Simon serves as Chair of the Dental Health Programs at Tallahassee State College, where she oversees both the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs. A proud graduate of the TCC Dental Hygiene Class of 2001, she began her teaching career as an adjunct faculty member in 2003 while continuing to work full-time in private practice. In 2020, she joined the Dental Health Programs faculty full-time. With more than twenty years of combined experience in higher education and private practice, Lorinda has held a variety of roles including dental assistant, dental hygienist, office manager, and practice administrator. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Dedicated to promoting lifelong learning, student success, and the advancement of the dental profession, Lorinda brings both passion and commitment to her work. Beyond her professional responsibilities, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, relaxing at the beach, scuba diving, riding motorcycles, and camping.

Amanda Wallace
Director, TSC Online

Amanda Wallace is the Director of TSC Online, where she leads the instructional design and digital media design teams in advancing high-quality online learning. She has been teaching in higher education since 2017, beginning her career as an English faculty member before moving into academic leadership. Her graduate work focused on digital pedagogy, fueling her commitment to developing innovative, student-centered online courses that promote success and engagement. Amanda has collaborated with administrators across multiple Florida colleges and universities to design and implement impactful online learning experiences. She aspires to continue growing as a higher education leader, supporting faculty in creating the most effective and engaging online courses possible.

Therese Willis
Executive Assistant, FPSI

Therese Willis, a proud alumna of Florida State University, currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director at Tallahassee State College’s Florida Public Safety Institute (FPSI). In this role, she not only provides high-level administrative support but also leads outreach initiatives, including organizing campus tours to promote awareness, boost recruitment and strengthen community engagement. During her nearly seven-year tenure at FPSI, she previously served as a Human Resources Liaison, where she was instrumental in enhancing and streamlining the Onboarding process for OPS employees and adjunct instructors. Her dedication and influence were recently recognized with the prestigious Eagle Award, celebrating her outstanding service and commitment to advancing the mission of the college. Beyond her work at FPSI, she serves as the Director of Ministries and Outreach at Jacob Chapel Baptist Church in Tallahassee, where she leads with a heart for service and community impact.

Sherri Winsett
Director, Assessment and Accreditation

Sherri Winsett currently serves as Director of Assessment and Accreditation in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, where she and her team are committed to providing the most accurate, up-to-date program and student learning outcome data to ensure continuous improvement across the multiple certificate, credential, and degree programs at Tallahassee State College. She has 23 years of experience in Florida’s K-12 system, including several leadership positions at both the school level and the district level. Her expertise includes instructional leadership, literacy advancement, and professional training, as well as program evaluation and continuous improvement to empower individuals, foster growth, and build community.