Chancellor's Faculty and Staff Fellows Program

Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of Troy University, has announced the selection of five faculty members for the University’s 2022 Chancellor’s Fellows Program.

The Fellows were nominated by TROY deans, directors or vice chancellors. The program spans two academic semesters and enables Fellows to increase their understanding of the range and scope of Troy University, enhance their knowledge of higher education in Alabama, and learn new administrative and leadership skills.

Participants will take part in briefings and meetings and be mentored by Dr. Hawkins and the Senior Vice Chancellors. The Fellows will undertake and complete a study addressing some area of the University. Many Chancellor’s Fellows from previous years now hold positions as Vice Chancellors, Associate Vice Chancellors, Deans, Associate Deans, Program Directors, Department Chairs and other key positions.

“The Chancellor’s Fellows program is designed to grow a new generation of leaders for Troy University,” said Dr. Kerry Palmer, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “Our culture is unique and is worth preserving. The Fellows program allows us to identify and nurture faculty and staff who have a desire to serve the institution in an expanded capacity. This year’s cohort was selected from several highly qualified nominees. They are approaching their work with tremendous enthusiasm, and I look forward to great things from each of them in the coming years.”

Selected were:

Dr. Lee Ammons currently serves as the Interim Assistant Chair for the Leadership Development and Professional Studies Department and Coordinator for the Occupational Education Program in TROY’s College of Education where he is a Lecturer teaching undergraduate and graduate Adult Education courses. Prior to joining the TROY faculty, he spent a decade teaching communication studies at Southern Union State Community College serving as the Department Chair for Language Arts. Serving most of his career in the Alabama Community College System as an administrator, he served as the Associate Dean of Academics at Shelton State Community College and Dean of Instruction at Trenholm State Community College. Joining TROY in 2017, he served as Director of Admissions for the Montgomery Campus before moving into the Lecturer position. Ammons received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Master of Arts in Communication Studies from The University of Alabama, and earned the Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a specialization in Adult Education from Auburn University. His current research focus includes Rural Regional Universities and their responsibilities to their rural communities, Power Politics and Change, and Alabama Legislation focusing on higher education. Ammons and his fiancée Julianne will be married on July 10, 2022 and will reside in Geneva, Alabama.
Dr. Paige Paquette currently serves as an Associate Professor in Teacher Education in TROY’s College of Education. She has been a member of the Trojan family for almost 20 years. Prior to joining the TROY faculty, Paquette taught English Language Arts at Central High School in Phenix City. Paquette received a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in English Education from the University of Alabama. She earned a Ph.D. in English Language Arts from Auburn University. An active member of her community, Paquette serves as a board member and ambassador for the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce, and she is also involved in outreach to local schools through Church of the Highlands in Columbus, Ga. She and her husband, Steve, reside in Phenix City.
Dr. J. Brandon Sluder is entering his 15th year at Troy University in the department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. Sluder completed his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education at the University of South Carolina (2001), his Master of Science in Health and Human Performance (Sport Pedagogy) at Auburn University (2003), and his Ph.D. in Kinesiology (Sport Pedagogy) at Auburn University (2008) prior to serving at Troy. His research interest includes autonomy supportive teaching and integration in elementary physical education, as well as perceptual motor programing in preschool. Dr. Sluder lives in Troy with his wife Megan and sons James and Marshall.
Dr. Hui-Ting Yang is Associate Professor of Piano at John M. Long School of Music, where she serves as the Coordinator of Applied Studies. She has been appointed as the Interim Director of the School of Music for the 2022-2023 academic year. As an active performer and educator, she has performed, lectured, and conducted master classes throughout the Czech Republic, Korea, China, Taiwan and the United States. Yang received the Doctor of Music in Collaborative/Chamber Music and the Master of Music in Accompanying from Florida State University, the Master of Music in Piano Performance from Ohio University, and the Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Taipei. Dr. Yang is a Steinway Artist.
Dr. Zhiyong Wang obtained his Ph.D. in chemistry from Northwestern University in 2005. Since joining Troy University in 2012, he has been teaching organic chemistry and other classes. He currently serves as the Associate Chair for the Department of Chemistry and Physics. He is working with TROY students to do plastic recycling-related research in the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS).

Contact us:

Leadership Institute
101 Hawkins Hall
Troy, Alabama 36082
(334) 670-5686
leadership@troy.edu