About Us

Dr. Tera Simmons
Executive Vice President

Dr. Tera Simmons

The executive vice president assists the president with the overall leadership and development of the College as well as assists instructional deans in developing and meeting division, departmental and programmatic goals. The following departments report to Dr. Tera Simmons: Foundation and Alumni Relations, Police Department, Finance, Institutional Effectiveness and Grants, Human Resources and Public Relations and Marketing.

Simmons has worked at Gadsden State since July 2021. She has worked in public education since 1998, most recently as the assistant superintendent of Hoover City Schools. Prior to her service at HCS, she served in a number of capacities in the Butler County School System, including the director of student learning, curriculum director, a principal, assistant principal and special education teacher. 

Simmons obtained her Doctorate of Education in K-12 School Leadership and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in K-12 School Leadership from Regent University. She also earned a Master of Education in Collaborative Education 6-12 and a Bachelor of Education in Mild Learning and Behavioral Disabilities from Auburn University at Montgomery.

Simmons serves on the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission. 

Jessica Slaten
Dean of Financial, and Administrative Services

Jessica Slaten

Jessica Slaten directs and coordinates all financial functions, establishes and maintains a system of internal accounting and administrative controls, manages investments, auxiliary services and business services and interprets and implements policies and procedures.

Slaten earned a Bachelor of Science in 1996 and Master of Business of Administration in 2000, both from Jacksonville State University. In 2008, she graduated from the University of Kentucky’s College Business Management Institute.

She started her career in 1998 as an accountant at Gadsden State’s Ayers Campus. In 2003, she worked as the restricted funds accountant before progressing through the ranks as financial manager and director of Financial Services, a position she has held since 2022.

Slaten has served Gadsden State in multiple capacities, including the Administrative Computer System Implementation Team and the OneACCS Administrative Computer System Implementation Accounts Receivable Team. She is a graduate of the 2020 Class of Leadership Etowah through the Etowah County Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, Slaten won the Chancellor’s Award for Administrators from the Alabama Community College System.

Dr. Joey Battles
Dean of Health Sciences

Dr. Joey Battles

Dr. Joey Battles is the chief academic officer for all of the Health Science programs. He develops and administers the programs instructional budget, provides innovative and strategic visionary leadership and supervises program directors. Departments reporting to him include Medical Laboratory Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Nursing Education (RN and LPN), Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiography, Surgical Operating Room Technology, Dental Assisting and Medical Assistant Technology.

Battles earned an associate degree in Radiography from Gadsden State Community College in 1991. He continued his education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and earned a bachelor’s degree in Medical Imaging in 1993. In 1995, Battles received a master’s degree in Allied Health Education from UAB. His doctoral degree in Educational Leadership was earned at Clarkson College in Omaha, Neb.

Battles has served in several health education roles throughout his career. Most recently, he was the director of the Radiography Program at Gadsden State since August 2021. He has also worked as the program director of the Medical Imaging Program at Clarkson College; the associate director of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology; and the director of educational eligibility requirements at the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Dr. Dana Davis
Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Grants, and Special Projects

Dr. Dana Davis

Dr. Dana Davis serves as a senior leader in institutional effectiveness, overseeing a comprehensive program focused on strategic planning, assessment, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement. As the College’s SACSCOC Liaison, she ensures compliance with accreditation standards and coordinates accreditation-related activities. Dr. Davis also prepares and oversees internal and external performance reports and leads grant development, administration, management, and special projects that advance the College’s mission and strategic objectives.

Dr. Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with concentrations in Psychology and Social Work from Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee. She holds a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from Jacksonville State University and completed a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration at the University of Alabama in 2010.

Her career in higher education spans more than 30 years. She began her professional journey in 1995 as an Admissions Counselor at Martin Methodist College. While pursuing graduate studies at Jacksonville State University, she served as a Financial Aid Clerk and Practicum Student Counselor. In 1998, she joined Gadsden State Community College as an Admissions Counselor and subsequently held positions including Academic Advisor, Counselor, and Acting Director of Counseling and Advising. In 2018, she was appointed Director of the Advising and Retention Center, a role she held until April 2025, when she assumed her current leadership position.

A dedicated community servant, Dr. Davis actively supports the United Way of Etowah County, serving on the Allocations Panel and previously as a Loaned Executive. Her commitment to community engagement earned her recognition as United Way’s Loaned Executive of the Year in 2019. Additional honors include Gadsden State’s Staff Excellence in Service Award and the National Society of Leadership and Success Service to Students Award. In 2019, she was inducted into the Martin Methodist College Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions as a student athletic trainer and athletic assistant.

Dr. Davis maintains active involvement in professional and educational organizations and serves the College through numerous leadership and advisory roles. Through her leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to student success, Dr. Davis continues to make a significant impact on institutional excellence and community engagement.

Andy Robertson
Dean of Workforce Development

Andy Robertson

Andy Robertson is responsible for the Workforce Development Division, including credit and non-credit career technical programs, training delivery for business and industry, Adult Education and Continuing Education. He also establishes and fosters partnerships with local government, secondary education and regional business and industry.

Robertson earned an Associate in Applied Science in Electronic Engineering Technology in 2003 from Gadsden State. In 2013, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Jacksonville State University. He most recently earned a Master of Science in Career and Technical Education from Athens State University in April 2024.

Robertson worked for five years as a service engineer for Vulcan Engineering before a stint as a teacher in the Pell City Schools. He came to Gadsden State in 2015 to work as the Electronic Engineering Technology instructor on the Ayers Campus. Five years later, he was promoted to the coordinator of Workforce Development and the division chair of Applied and Engineering Technologies on the Ayers Campus.

Robertson was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Administration in 2024 and the Eugene Prater Exceptional Achievement in Teaching in 2019. He is also a graduate of the Faculty Development Institute, the Gadsden State Leadership Academy and Leadership Calhoun County. Business Alabama magazine recognized Robertson in its July 2024 edition in the “Movers and Shapers” spotlight.

Mr. Andy Green 
Dean of Student Services

Andy Green

Andy Green serves as the dean of Student Services. He provides leadership, strategic planning and executive oversight of student enrollment, retention and success for credit and non-credit programs.

Green came to Gadsden State in November 2023 from Jacksonville State University, where he worked for 18 years. He served in several positions at the university, including director of academic advising, director of enrollment management, director of community engagement and assistant dean of honors and special programs.

Green has a bachelor’s degree in geography and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in spatial analysis management from JSU.

Green represents Place 1 on the Jacksonville City Council and has been appointed to the Civil Service Board and the Commercial Development Authority. He has served in many leadership roles in the Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Alabama Banner Users Group and the Alabama ACT Council.

Green served as co-chair of the Calhoun County Complete Count Census Committee, was named Ambassador of the Year and is a graduate of Leadership Calhoun County through the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce. He was in the inaugural cohort of the Professional Leadership Academy and is a graduate of Leadership Etowah through The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah.

Dr. Derrick Griffey 
Dean of Academic Programs and Services

Dr. Derrick Griffey

Dr. Derrick Griffey serves as the Dean of Academic Programs and Services providing senior leadership for the College’s largest instructional division, which includes the academic departments of Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Languages and Humanities, Fine Arts, and Business, Legal Studies and Computer Sciences. He also oversees key academic support units such as the Teaching and Learning Center, Distance Education, Libraries and Learning Resource Centers, the Cardinal Tutoring Center, the Duplication Center, Faculty Development, and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

As dean, Griffey leads strategic planning and operational oversight for general education, liberal arts, STEM, transfer programs, the AAS degree programs housed within Academics, and a broad range of instructional initiatives. His work focuses on strengthening academic quality, supporting student persistence and completion, expanding high quality learning opportunities and ensuring that programs remain responsive to regional workforce and transfer needs.

Griffey has served in higher education for more than two decades. Before his appointment as dean, he served as the Director of Distance Education, Faculty Development and Learning Resources at Gadsden State where he guided the growth of online learning and use of library resources, coordinated faculty and staff professional development, and promoted the integration of instructional technologies across the College.

Griffey earned a Ph.D. in instructional technology from The University of Alabama, a master’s degree in history from The University of Alabama, a master’s degree in sociology from Middle Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Jacksonville State University. He began his academic journey as a student at Gadsden State, earning an Associate of Arts degree before transferring to complete his undergraduate studies.

Griffey remains active in statewide initiatives related to teaching excellence, instructional innovation and student success. He serves his community as a volunteer community instructor for the OLLI program at The University of Alabama (Gadsden Chapter), supporter of the United Way of Etowah County, and as a member of the Gadsden Shrine Club.