Miles College Promotes Four Women Scholars to Senior-Level Faculty Positions

Miles College, a historically Black educational institution in Fairfield, Alabama, has promoted two Black women to full professor and two Black women to associate professor.

Loretta Westry has been promoted to full professor of mathematics. Since joining Miles College in 2015, she has played a pivotal role in curriculum development, program enhancement, and student mentoring. Dr. Westry’s research interests center on the lived experiences of African American women STEM majors in community colleges. Professor Westry is a graduate of the University of Montevallo in Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and communications science disorders. She holds a master’s degree in secondary mathematics education from the Montgomery campus of Auburn University and a Ph.D. in mathematics education and community college leadership from Walden University.

Tamatha White has been promoted to professor of business administration. Dr. White has held several key positions throughout her career, including admissions coordinator and assistant dean of enrollment management. At Miles College, she oversees the Division of Business and Accounting, ensuring the continuous development and maintenance of the business administration major. Professor White holds an MBA from Kaplan University and a doctorate in business administration specializing in international business from Argosy University.

Jarralynne Agee was promoted to associate professor of criminal justice and psychology. She is the former provost and senior vice president at the college. Earlier in her career, Dr. Agee was director of the Violence Reduction Initiative for the city of Birmingham. Dr. Agee is a graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree in psychology from Ohio State University and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant International University.

Nikaela Flournoy was promoted to associate professor of biology. She joined the faculty in 2021 and teaches courses on microbiology, human physiology, and general biology. Dr. Flourney is a 2006 graduate of Alabama A&M University, where she majored in biology. She holds a master’s degree in microbiology from the University of Iowa, where her thesis focused on apoptotic pathways related to equine infectious anemia virus. Dr. Flourney earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of Alabama.