AFC Officers

Tawana Carter
President

Tawana Carter is a seasoned Budget and Financial Analysis Manager at Tallahassee State College, bringing more than 25 years of expertise in the banking industry. Known for her exceptional planning and problem-solving skills, Tawana excels in refining business strategies and streamlining day-to-day operations.

Tawana holds a Juris Master’s degree from Florida State University College of Law and a certificate of studies from the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. She is pursuing a dual Master’s and Ph.D. in Public Administration at FSU, further expanding her expertise in leadership and governance.

Prior to her role at TSC, Tawana served as the Client Experience Manager and BSA/AML Case Manager at Capital City Bank. She also spent two decades as the Director of Executive Affairs at the Florida Bankers Association, where she honed her skills in financial management and executive leadership.

Jessie Clayton
Immediate Past President

Jessie Clayton has been a Technology Specialist in the Learning Commons at TSC since 2003. A proud member of the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) for 20 years, Jessie has actively contributed at both the chapter and state levels. He has served as a Webmaster, Social Activity Planner, Photographer, and Membership Chair for the TSC AFC Chapter, as well as Treasurer and Chair for the AFC Technology Commission.

Jessie teaches computer skills to first-year students in courses such as Career Planning, College Success, and Integrated Reading and Writing, while also providing one-on-one tutoring in Computer courses. A graduate of Auburn University with a B.S.B.A. in Information Systems, he also holds certifications from the AFC Certified College Professional (CCP) and Next Level Leadership Program (NLLP).

A U.S. Army and Army Reserves veteran, Jessie enjoys traveling, photography, catering, and spending time with friends and family. Known for his signature double-crust peach cobbler, Jessie is passionate about fostering growth and building connections through his work and AFC involvement. “Being a part of AFC has significantly impacted my career, helping me grow professionally and inspiring me to reach the next level.”

Gwendolyn Gascoigne
Secretary

Gwen Gascoigne serves as an Accounting Specialist at TSC, bringing precision and dedication to her role for the past two years. A proud Tallahassee native, Gwen’s journey took her to Tucson, Arizona, where she spent 25 years exploring diverse professional opportunities before returning to her hometown to reconnect with family.

Beyond her professional life, Gwen has a passion for hiking, capturing moments through casual photography, and immersing herself in thought-provoking documentaries. Recently, she has also discovered a talent for event planning, successfully organizing two high school reunions in just two years. Gwen’s commitment to her work, community, and personal growth makes her a valued member of the TSC family.

Waseem Kofaf-Naisa
Treasurer

Waseem Kofar-Naisa serves as a Human Resources Specialist at Tallahassee State College, focusing on employee benefits and retirement services. Joining the college in February 2022, Waseem began his career as a receptionist in the Learning Commons, where he quickly demonstrated his dedication and versatility.

A proud graduate of Florida State University, Waseem earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in December 2021.

Heather Marie Mitchell
Membership Chair

Proud Gadsden County native and a retired military leader, Heather M. Mitchell serves as the Learning and Development Training Manager at TSC, where she leverages her leadership expertise and team-building skills to foster a culture of growth, innovation, and excellence.

Heather holds both bachelor's and master’s degrees in leadership from Grand Canyon University and is certified as a DISC Facilitator and Six Sigma Green Belt. Her passion lies in designing impactful training programs that address the evolving needs of today’s workforce.

An active member of the Association for Talent and Development (national and local chapters), the Association of Florida Colleges, and the Institute of Organizational Development, Heather employs comprehensive needs assessments and agile coaching strategies to empower teams and help them achieve their goals. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is dedicated to her

community, supporting veteran transition programs and workforce development initiatives in Gadsden and Leon Counties.

Brandy Harris
Historian and Publications Chair

Brandy Harris serves as an officer with the Tallahassee State College Police Department. A proud graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Brandy earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in criminal justice.

Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Brandy is passionate about staying active and enjoys running, traveling, and exploring new restaurants in her free time. Her commitment to safety and community makes her a valued member of the TSC team.

Sheri Thomas
Social/Service Chair

Sheri Thomas is a dedicated library professional with 27 years of experience in academic libraries. A proud graduate of Florida A&M University (FAMU), Sheri earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Office Administration and has been accepted to Florida State University's School of Information to pursue a Master of Science in Library and Information Science.

Sheri joined the Library Services team at TSC in 2005. Prior to her role at TSC, she worked in several key roles across FAMU Libraries, including the Science & Research Center, Journalism Library, Architecture Library, and Coleman Library. Her experience also extends to FAMU’s African American Special Collections, reflecting her passion for preserving cultural heritage and supporting academic research.

Outside of her professional life, Sheri enjoys spending quality time with her family and exploring new destinations through her love of travel.

Ken Tellis
Ghazvini Center Representative

Dr. Ken Tellis serves as the Associate Dean for Student Success in Healthcare Professions at Tallahassee State College (TSC). In this role, he oversees student enrollment, program

development, and assessment tools to enhance success in TSC’s Associate in Science (A.S.) Healthcare programs.

Ken joined the college in 2004 as an adjunct instructor for College Success. He completed the TCC ATLAS program in 2007 and transitioned to a full-time role in 2017 as the Healthcare Programs Advisor.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Troy University, a Master’s in Public Administration from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Florida A&M University.

Prior to TSC, Ken served as Assistant Director of Enrollment Management at Florida A&M University, Director of Academic Services at Florida State University, and Admissions Counselor at Tuskegee University. He earned his Private Pilot’s license while working at Tuskegee. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1983 to 1989.

Rita Brown

Rita C. Brown (née Dickey) is a proud alumna of TSC. With a dedicated career spanning 27 years, Rita began as a Library Technical Assistant I and steadily advanced to become the Circulation Services Supervisor in 2018.

Throughout her tenure, Rita has embraced numerous professional development opportunities and earned prestigious accolades, including participation in TSC Leadership Class II, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award, and the Access Services in Libraries Support Staff Travel Grant. She also holds certifications from the Certified College Professional (CCP) and Next Level Leadership Program (NLLP) through the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC). An active leader within AFC, she has served in various local roles and currently represents the organization at the state level.

Beyond her professional contributions, Rita is an active member of the Spring Hill Road Church of Christ, where she participates in various church activities, further exemplifying her commitment to community and service.

Sandy Martin

Sandy A. Martin is the Human Resource Manager at Tallahassee State College (TSC), bringing more than 25 years of expertise in benefits and retirement administration. Specializing in benefits administration and retirement planning, Sandy is passionate about guiding employees through major life transitions, from onboarding to retirement.

Prior to joining TSC, Sandy spent a decade working for the Florida Retirement System, gaining valuable insights that she continues to apply in her current role.

A proud alumna of TSC (Class of 1996), Sandy furthered her education by earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in human resource management from Florida International University. Her dedication to supporting employees and improving workplace processes has been a hallmark of her career.

Sandy is an active member of the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC), where she has held several leadership roles, including serving on the AFC State Board, as Chair of the Membership Commission, and on the TSC AFC Chapter Board. She currently chairs the Continuing Education and Professional Development Committee, overseeing programs like the Certified College Professional (CCP) and Next Level Leadership Program (NLLP). Additionally, she contributes to TSC's Technology and Innovation Committee.

Sharon Walker

Sharon Walker serves as the Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Her career at T

SC began in the Communication and Humanities Division, where she worked as an Office Assistant before earning her AA degree in 2004. She went on to earn a BS in Sociology with a minor in Anthropology from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. After gaining experience at the U.S. Department of Transportation and a Fortune 500 company, Sharon returned to TSC, working in the Communication and Humanities and Science and Mathematics divisions before moving into her current role.

A dedicated member of the Association of Florida Colleges since 2013, Sharon has held numerous leadership roles, including Chapter President, Region Director, and Vice President for Commissions. She was awarded the AFC Distinguished Service Award in 2017 for her efforts to rebuild chapter membership and led the Career and Professional Employees Commission to win the 2020 Commission of the Year award. Sharon is a graduate of the AFC Certified College Professional Program and is currently enrolled in the Next Level Leadership Program. Since 2023, she has served as Chair of the Membership Development Committee at the state level.

Beyond her professional achievements, Sharon is a Certified Track and Field Official with the USA Track & Field Association and a member of the Amateur Athletic Union. She enjoys DIY crafts, spending time with family and friends, and celebrating her long-standing marriage to her husband, Harold. Together they share a daughter, Colinthia.