Academic Administration
TCC's academic administrators are a dedicated team, bringing both passion and a wealth of diverse, extensive experience to their roles.
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Angela Sivadon, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Angela Sivadon was named Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for Tulsa Community College on August 1, 2020. In this role, she leads all aspects of Academic Affairs and oversees a vision for the College’s future that ensures and fosters student success.
In 2010, she became a full-time faculty member in the Nursing program after teaching as an adjunct for two years. She developed and launched the College’s Cardiovascular Technology program to meet the growing demand from community hospitals. In February 2019, she was appointed Provost for the Metro Campus, where she oversaw the Schools of Allied Health, Business & IT, and Nursing, including Corrections Education programming.
While serving as Faculty Association President, she co-chaired the implementation of Guided Pathways at TCC and presented on the process of integrating guided pathways and strategic planning to ensure student success. This work has helped her be a strong advocate for minoritized and marginalized students in obtaining their degrees and goals at TCC.
Prior to joining TCC, Dr. Sivadon worked as a cardiac nurse in the Tulsa community for 14 years before discovering her passion for education.
She earned her first nursing degree at Tulsa Junior College, now TCC, and holds a doctorate in Nursing Research from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Dr. Sivadon currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association/Tulsa Chapter and has previously served as President of the Executive Board of Directors for Oklahomans for Equality.
Pete Selden, EdD
Vice President of Workforce Development
As Vice President of Workforce Development at TCC, Peter “Pete” Selden works across the College’s 38 workforce degree programs and 37 certificate programs that prepare students to go directly into the workplace. He also assesses workforce needs in the Tulsa area and collaborates with employers and workforce agencies to establish training programs to prepare TCC students for employment. In addition, Selden provides leadership to TCC’s 29 community advisory committees that help guide and review the College’s workforce development programs, the English as a Second Language program, and Conner Correctional programming.
Prior to joining TCC in 2018, Selden most recently worked at Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis, Arkansas, where he served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce programs. He oversaw faculty and staff across all Technical Center program areas including Welding, Process Technology, Diesel Technology, Mechatronics, Machining, Hospitality Management, Information Systems Technology, Medical Professions, Aviation Maintenance, Career Services, and Business and Industry Services. He worked with the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce (GMACW) and the Arkansas Delta Training & Education Consortium (ADTEC) on training and course development and student placement initiatives. He also helped secure and manage federal and state workforce grants.
Selden currently serves on the Tulsa Alliance Board, the Workforce Tulsa Board and Executive Committee, the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Economic Development Council. He is pursuing his doctorate in Higher Education with a concentration in two-year college leadership at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He earned an M.B.A from Arkansas State University, and two bachelor’s degrees (Psychology, Communication) from the University of Buffalo.
Kristopher Copeland, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Kristopher Copeland was hired in June 2019 as Provost of the West Campus at Tulsa Community College. In August 2020 he became Provost for the Metro Campus and in February 2021, he became one of the two Associate Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs. He oversees all of TCC's Academic Schools - Health Sciences, Science and Aeronautics, Mathematics and Engineering, Liberal Arts and Public Service, Communication, English & World Languages, Visual and Performing Arts, Business and IT, as well as the Dual Credit Programs/Early College High Schools programs.
Prior to joining TCC, he served as the Executive Dean of Liberal Arts at North Lake College in Irving, Texas. Prior to this position, he served as a faculty member in the communications studies discipline for 12 years at Northeastern State University and Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Dr. Copeland earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Higher Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Arkansas, a Bachelor of Arts in Speech/Theater Education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, and an Associate of Arts from Carl Albert State College in Poteau. Dr. Copeland has also completed the Educators’ Leadership Academy through the University of Central Oklahoma and the Leadership Executive Advancement Program (LEAP) through North Lake College.
An active member in the communication studies discipline, he has served as president and former conference planner of the Oklahoma Speech Theater Communication Association, former president of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Forensics Association, and chair of the Federation Prize for the Central States Communication Association in 2018.
Greg Stone, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President of Academic and Campus Operations
As the Associate Vice President for Academic and Campus Operations, Dr. Stone provides executive leadership for the Division of Engaged Learning, Tutoring Services, Online Learning, and the Thomas K. McKeon Center for Creativity. He also supports the College Park collaboration with OSU-Tulsa and programming at the VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education (PACE), including the Signature Symphony. Dr. Stone has a regular presence on each campus and focuses on improving campus communication, cross-departmental processes, and employee engagement.
Prior to his appointment as AVP, Dr. Stone served as Provost of the Southeast Campus, and as Assistant Professor of English at TCC from 2006 to 2014. He holds a doctorate in English from the University of Tulsa, as well as graduate and undergraduate degrees from Northeastern State University and Tulsa Community College.
Dr. Stone is a graduate of Leadership Tulsa Class 53. He has served as a volunteer for the Oxley Nature Center, Reading Partners, and the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers. He is also a landscape and plein air painter. He is a juried member of the Pastel Society of America and holds memberships in the Oklahoma Pastel Society and The Pastel Society of the Southwest. His work has been exhibited regionally and nationally.
Travis White, Ph.D.
Dean of Business & Information Technology
School of Business & Information Technology
Dr. Travis White was named Tulsa Community College’s Dean of the School of Business & Information Technology in 2019. He provides vision and leadership for the School and oversees its University Transfer and Workforce Certificate and Degree Programs.
He joined TCC in November 2013 as Assistant Professor and Technology Learning Center Coordinator, Business and IT. In 2016, he was named Department Chair of Business Administration. With more than 10 years of teaching experience, White has taught a diverse population of students in a variety of settings across the globe, including Mexico, Peru, South Korea, and the United States. In addition, he has management and leadership experience in organizations ranging in size from small non-profits to Fortune 500 companies on four different continents, including Antarctica.
A native of Missouri, White earned his Business Administration degree with a major in both Management and Spanish from the University of Central Missouri, his Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma State University, and his Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies from Oklahoma State University. His research interests are socioeconomic contexts in higher education and the intersection of culture and commerce.
Paula Willyard, Ed.D.
Dean of Communication, English, & World Languages
School of Communication, English, & World Languages
Dr. Paula Willyard has worked in Higher Education for 32 years. Currently, she serves as the Dean of Communication, English, and World Languages. Dr. Willyard also provides support to the full-time faculty members within the English as a Second Language (ESL) program, at the Northeast Campus. She has also been instrumental in supporting operations at the Owasso Campus and TCC's Direct Degree program.
Prior to returning to Tulsa Community College, Dr. Willyard held the following positions:
Founding Dean of Student Services at Coleman College for Health Sciences in Houston, Texas; Vice-President of Student Services at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City; and State Director of Academic Affairs for University of Phoenix at Tulsa and Oklahoma City campuses. In addition, Dr. Willyard has taught undergraduate and graduate courses as an adjunct faculty member at several institutions for more than 20 years.
Dr. Willyard holds a Doctor of Education degree in Occupational and Adult Education from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Education degree in Counseling from Northeastern State University.
Dr. Willyard currently serves on the Owasso Chamber of Commerce as Chair.
Jenny Fields, DNP
Dean of School of Health Sciences
School of Health Sciences
Jenny Fields joined Tulsa Community College in January 2014 and served as an Assistant Professor and Faculty Department Chair until she was named Dean of Nursing at the Metro Campus in July 2019. In February 2021, she was named Dean of the School of Health Sciences.
Prior to joining TCC, she worked at Langston University where she served as Faculty and Interim Director for the Nursing Program in Tulsa. As a practicing nurse with 20 years of experience, Fields also worked at St. John Medical Center in the Post-Anesthesia Recovery Unit and Medical-Surgical floors.
Fields holds the degrees of Associate in Applied Science and Science-Pre-Nursing from Connors State College, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Master of Science from the University of Oklahoma, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Samford University in Alabama.
She is a member of the American Nurses Association and the Oklahoma Nurses Association. She serves the College by being an active participant on the Academic Affairs Council and various TCC committees.
Sheila Youngblood, DPE
Dean of Mathematics & Engineering
School of Mathematics & Engineering
Dr. Sheila Youngblood joined Tulsa Community College in 2022 as Dean of Mathematics and Engineering. With more than 20 years of college teaching experience, as well as significant administrative leadership roles, Dr. Youngblood brings a blend of excellence in teaching, proficiency in administration, experience in curriculum design, and developing transfer programs.
Prior to joining TCC, she worked at Cameron University for 13 years where she served in a variety of roles, including Coordinator of Engineering Transfer and Articulation, Faculty Senate Chair, and Engineering Advisory Council Chair. While there she also developed an experiential leadership conference, CU Empowering Women in Leadership and STEM Conference, along with founding and directing multiple summer applied mathematics bridge programs. She also held several teaching positions at various institutions in Kentucky, including the University of Kentucky, Midway College and Kentucky Community & Technical College Systems.
Dr. Youngblood most recently served as Faculty Advisor to Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork 2022, a celebration of Black Wall Street and STEM advancement, and Academic Engineering Advisor for Higher Education/Community Maker Center at Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator.
Outside of higher education, Dr. Youngblood worked for the USDA-NRCS for 10 years in Oklahoma, Kentucky and Texas. She has held several positions in the industry, including Civil Engineer, Business Owner, Computer Specialist, and Agricultural Engineer.
She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Engineering in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Oklahoma State University. She is also close to completing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky, where she also holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering.
Dr. Brad L. Duren
Dean of Liberal Arts & Public Service
School of Liberal Arts & Public Service
Dr. Brad L. Duren serves as the Dean of Liberal Arts and Public Service at TCC and provides leadership support for the Social Sciences, Humanities, History & Political Science, Criminal Justice, Paralegal, Human Services, and Child Development & Education disciplines.
A native of Duncan, Oklahoma, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma City University in 1990, his Master of Arts in History from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1994, and his Doctor of Philosophy in History from Oklahoma State University in 2005. He has been involved in higher education for more than 25 years, both as an adjunct and full-time professor. Dr. Duren served Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma for more than 22 years as a History professor, where he taught United States History courses, as well as courses in History and Popular Culture. He was the Department Chair of Behavioral and Social Sciences for 13 years before he was chosen as Dean of the College of Arts and Education in 2018, a position he held for three years. At the time of his departure from OPSU, he was the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Dr. Duren is a published author in the areas of history and popular culture and is active both in the Popular Culture Association and the Southwest Popular Culture/American Culture Association, the latter of which he has served as an Area Chair for more than 20 years.
Julie Porterfield, M.Ed.
Dean of Science & Aeronautics
School of Science & Aeronautics
Julie Porterfield joined Tulsa Community College in 2007 as Assistant Professor of Biology. In 2020, she was promoted to Dean of Science. In February 2021, she was named Dean of Sciences & Aeronautics. During her tenure at TCC, she has served as Faculty Department Chair, co-chair for the Guided Pathways Committee, Learning and Improvement Dimension lead for the Tulsa Transfer Collaboration, and Faculty Assessment Facilitator.
Prior to joining TCC, Porterfield served as Adjunct Faculty at Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) in Enid for four years.
She earned an associate degree in Science from NOC and a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma. After graduating, Porterfield began teaching STEM courses at NOC and working towards her Master’s in Education, which she earned from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Her program focused on higher education administration and adult education. Porterfield’s STEM area of emphasis was completed at OU and centered on animal development and behavior.
Porterfield is an active member of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS), serving on the HAPS conference committee, and has delivered presentations at regional HAPS workshops on designing engaging Anatomy and Physiology activities.
Kelly Clark
Dean of Visual & Performing Arts
School of Visual & Performing Arts
As Dean of the Visual and Performing Arts, Kelly Clark oversees six academic programs: Art, Digital Media, Interior Design, Mass Communications, Music and Theatre. The VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education and Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College, TCC’s professional orchestra, are also under her supervision. Kelly began her higher education career at TCC in 1995, hired by then TCC President Dean VanTrease, just as construction began on the PACE. Immediately after arriving at TCC, she helped open the PACE, followed by an expansion of the facility a few years later, which has served as a home for many community events.
Prior to joining TCC, she worked in the film and video industry with film projects in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, California and on “The Today Show” in New York City. Her time working both in front of and behind the camera gave her the opportunity to learn from actors, directors and other artists and helped her develop a wide knowledge of the industry.
Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film from the University of Kansas and a Master of Science in Mass Communication from Oklahoma State University. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Oklahoma State University.
Cindy Shanks
Dean of Engaged Learning Division
Engaged Learning
Cindy Shanks has worked at TCC since 2014, when she was hired as the Associate Dean of Liberal Arts at the Southeast Campus. Since 2016, she has served as the Dean of Engaged Learning, TCC’s faculty development and high-impact practice division and an instructional design faculty team. She also works with the Global Education Director and with Faculty Coordinators to administer and deliver high-impact student learning programs (in addition to the College Success course), including Service-Learning, Honors, Undergraduate Research, and Global Ed/Study Abroad. In 2021 she served as Interim Dean of Liberal Arts & Public Service.
Shanks earned a master’s degree in Sociology from Southern Illinois University and an undergraduate degree from The University of Tulsa.
Prior to her work at TCC, Shanks worked at St. Louis Community College in Ferguson, MO, where for 19 years her positions included adjunct faculty member, Service-Learning Coordinator, and from 2003-2009, full-time Sociology faculty, Sociology and Anthropology Program Coordinator, Global Education Coordinator, and the Faculty Coordinator for Service-Learning.
Committed to sustainability issues and needs, Shanks’ lifelong passions are social, environmental, and economic justice. For the past five years, she has collaborated with Sustainable Tulsa on their “1st Thursdays” program, and for two years, has served as a Sustainability Coach for OU-Tulsa, as part of Sustainable Tulsa’s “Scor3Card” Program.
Annina Collier
Dean of Center for Creativity/George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Chair
Metro Campus
Thomas K. McKeon Center for Creativity
Annina Collier was named the inaugural Dean of the Center for Creativity/George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Chair in 2014. Through her leadership, the Thomas K. McKeon Center for Creativity has supported dozens of nonprofit organizations and helped thousands of people in the Tulsa region experience free workshops and art exhibitions. Her major initiatives include the “I Can’t” workshop series, a partnership between the Center for Creativity and 21 Tulsa arts and culture organizations; and “Please Touch the Art,” an exhibition that engages all five senses with a special focus on visitors who are blind or visually impaired. Collier produces TEDx events under license from the TED organization; she became an enhanced license holder in 2019.
Prior to joining TCC, Collier taught World Music at the University of Oklahoma and served as Director of Public Relations & Outreach at the Oklahoma Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain.
Collier graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma and holds a master’s degree from Ithaca College in New York.
A graduate of Leadership Tulsa Class 60, Collier was named one of Oklahoma’s 40 Under 40: Young Professionals Making a Difference by Oklahoma Magazine. She was a founding board member of Tulsa Bike Share and the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts, and Culture. She currently serves on the Visit Tulsa Regional Tourism Advisory Board, Tulsa Chamber Resource Campaign, Cathedral District steering committee, and the Women of the Year – Pinnacle Awards committee.
Paula Settoon
Dean of Libraries and Knowledge Management
Paula Settoon joined Tulsa Community College in July 2012 as Dean of Libraries and Knowledge Management at the Northeast Campus.
Prior to joining TCC she worked at Northeastern State University where she was Interim Executive Director of NSU Libraries. She also served as Director of Learning Resources Center at Platt College and in various roles at the Tulsa City-County Library, where she worked for more than 16 years.
Settoon holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Louisiana Tech University and Master of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University.
She is the chair of TCC’s Council Effectiveness Committee and the co-chair of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Assurance Committee. She also acts as the College’s Accreditation Liaison Officer with HLC and is the Employee Campaign Coordinator for the Tulsa Area United Way. An active community volunteer, Paula has served on the boards of numerous community organizations including the Community Action Project of Tulsa, the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa, and the Junior League of Tulsa.