Jaguars Unite Mentoring Programs | Johnston Community College

​Cynthia Sullivan

Criminal Justice/Forensic Science Faculty

Professional/Academic Interests: Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, History.

Personal Interests: Reading, swimming, travel, spending time with my family!

Something Extra About Me: I love reading!

Daphne Lewis

Director of Institutional Grants

Professional/Academic Interests: Collaborative writing, team development, critical thinking, budget development.

Personal Interests: Nature, spending time with family and my two dogs, vegetarian and vegan cooking, and gardening.

Something Extra About Me: I work on jigsaw puzzles on my tablet or use a large puzzle board to help reduce stress and relax.

​Dustin Williams

History Instructor

Professional/Academic Interests: History, Government, Education.

Personal Interests: I enjoy the outdoors and as time allows like to spend time walking / hiking, fishing, camping, etc., . . . I also enjoy reading, watching YouTube videos about the outdoors, and I am a casual sports fan and chess player.

Something Extra About Me: I am from Wilson, North Carolina originally, but moved to Johnston County in the early 2000s when my wife (who is from Johnston County) and I were married. We have one son, a cat, and a golden doodle.

Dr. Felita Carr

Director, TRIO

Professional/Academic Interests: As a professional, my main focus is comprehensive, wrap-around student support.

Personal Interests: I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I have a huge focus on community service.

Something Extra About Me: I am a dissectologist-a jigsaw puzzle enthusiast.

Kendra Howell

Criminal Justice Instructor & Qualified Assistant to Law Enforcement Basic Academy

Professional/Academic Interests: Criminal Justice, leadership, adult learning, and succession planning.

Personal Interests: Working out, cycling, reading, cooking, and spending time with my family and dog.

Something Extra About Me: I am a retired Major from Wilson Police Department and was the first female to reach the rank of Major. I also complete a cycling ride called “Road to Hope” each year in May that is 500 + miles. We raise money to support the families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Lisa Cooper 

Associate Vice President University Studies

Professional/Academic Interests: Communication, Drama, Problem Solving, Empowering and Supporting Colleagues, Helping Students Find Their Passion!

Personal Interests: Acting, Directing, Traveling,

Rooting for the Lions, Spending Time with Family, Spending Time with Family Rooting for the Lions!

Something Extra About Me: Favorite Quote

“Be Yourself; Everyone Else is Already Taken”

- Oscar Wilde

​Dr. LaShawndra White

Director of Community Programs & Cleveland Campus

Professional/Academic Interests: Educational Leadership, Adult Education & Development, Community Engagement & Enrichment, Mentorship.

Personal Interests: Personal development; spending quality time with family and friends; traveling; game night; developing relationships; cultural exploration; laughing; dancing; listening to books, music, speeches, sermons, and podcasts.

Something Extra About Me: I skipped second grade. I recently graduated with my doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Meagan McKinnon

Education Instruction 

Professional/Academic Interests: Early childhood education, early intervention & child development

Personal Interests: Hanging out with my family, shopping, photography, spending time at the beach and planting flowers.

Something Extra About Me: I am a boy mom of 2 and I love cherry and coke icees. My favorite place to visit are tropical islands and Disney World!

Megan Rivera

Computer Instructor

Professional/Academic Interests: Computers, Psychology, Child Development and Design.

Personal Interests: Vacation, sports, spending time with my family, working and did I mention vacation??

Something Extra About Me: I have wanted to be a teacher since I was four years old!

Phelicia Thompson

TRIO Learning Strategies Specialist/Tutor Coordinator

Professional/Academic Interests: English, critical thinking, communication, writing, student engagement.

Personal Interests: Painting, jigsaw puzzles, cooking, music, animals, and video games

Something Extra About Me: I love Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Peyton Northern

Director of Campus Events and Venue Rentals

Professional/Academic Interests: Experience curation, Event design, Wedding services, Behavioral and social analysist.

Personal Interests: Fashion designing, travel, concert attending, family game night, lavish experiences and eating well.

Something Extra About Me: I have been a radio host and I’d do it again!

Shirlyn Davenport

Success Advisor

Professional/Academic Interests: Success Advisor.

Personal Interests: TV (Bob’s Burgers, Bluey, procedural dramas), cooking (East Asian cuisine is my fave!), my doggo Winnie, and linguistics

Something Extra About Me: You can sometimes catch me cross stitching in my office in between appointments.

Veronica (Ronnie) Richardson

CCP Coordinator

Professional/Academic Interests: Advising/Career Coaching

Personal Interests: Cats! I am a foster. I also volunteer helping single parents with budgeting, local resources, career coaching, resume editing and much more!

Something Extra About Me: I love traveling and being with my kids. They make me laugh :)

Natasha Thompson

History Instructor

Professional/Academic Interests:

US history, world history, humanities, critical thinking, supporting students.

Personal Interests: Reading, sci-fi/fantasy, pets, spending time with family, current events, being outside.

Something Extra About Me: I am currently Learning Mandarin (with the help of an app)

​Derek Ray

Administrative Assistant to the AVP of Health, Wellness, and Human Services

Professional/Academic Interests: Business Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology 

Personal Interests: Movie collecting, YouTube content creator, Video Games, Football, Basketball, Cars, Cooking (BBQ), sitting at the beach, and spending time with family. 

Something Extra About Me:  I would love to visit outer space or work with SpaceX. 

Jennifer Ramirez-Morris

Psychology Instructor

Professional/Academic Interests: I teach Psychology and love to do research. I am working on my doctorate because I love to learn! I enjoy critical thinking and asking questions. I am a Co-Advisor of Black Student Alliance and I serve on the Cultural Awareness Committee. 

Personal Interests: I love to read, cook, crochet, play pickleball, travel, work out, and hang out with my family

Something Extra About Me: I am related to Issac Newton!

Jason Jackson

Biology Instructor

Professional/Academic Interests: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Ecology, Mushroom Biology

Personal Interests: Paddling, running, biking, hiking, woodworking, home improvement, gardening. I'm also a politics junkie and love listening to music.

Something Extra About Me: I love working on my old house, especially when I can learn a new skill or buy a new tool!