DSCC President Dr. Scott Cook Nominated for Paragon President’s Award

Dr. Scott Cook, Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) President, will receive the Paragon President award at the Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention on April 20‐22, 2023, at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

This award recognizes new college presidents for their outstanding support of student success and for providing high‐quality learning environments inside and outside the classroom.

Dr. Brigham Scallion, Associate Professor of Biology at Dyersburg State and PTK Faculty Advisor, stated, “Phi Theta Kappa gives students incredible opportunities for leadership on campus, in our region, and internationally. Dr. Cook has taken an active interest in supporting our student leaders on campus. Multiple Phi Theta Kappa members recommend our College President for this award. His support means a lot to the students.”

Dr. Cook, who was provost of Madisonville Community College in Madisonville, Ky., succeeded Dr. Karen Bowyer as president of Dyersburg State Community College, effective January 4, 2022, when Dr. Bowyer retired after 37 years as the third president in the college’s history.

Cook was announced president of Dyersburg State in November 2021 by a 17-member Search Advisory Committee, composed of four Board of Regents members and representatives of the DSCC community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, industry, and civic leaders in the area.

Prior to his appointment at Dyersburg State, he was provost, serving as the chief academic and student affairs officer at Madisonville Community College since March 2018. In addition, he previously served in several senior administrator roles and professor at Motlow State Community College, including assistant vice president for academic affairs for quality assurance and performance funding, assistant vice president for academic affairs, honors program director, and professor of history. He also served as department coordinator and assistant professor of humanities at the Georgia Military College in Columbus, Ga.

“I am truly humbled that our Phi Theta Kappa chapter nominated me for this honor. This award recognizes new presidents’ commitment to both the mission of PTK and student success.  Students are the reason that Dyersburg State Community College exists, and I have long supported the mission to recognize academic achievement while providing opportunities for students to grow as scholars and leaders. Students who join and engage in PTK have transformative experiences. I am honored and grateful that our students and advisors see my passion for student success and nominated me for this award,” stated Dr. Cook.

Cook earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, with a History Concentration, from Tennessee State University; a Master of Liberal Studies in Humanities from Fort Hays State University in Kansas; a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Middle Tennessee State University, and an Associate of Science, University Parallel, with emphases in History, Political Science, and Psychology from Motlow State Community College.

Dyersburg State Community College is a member public institution of the College System of Tennessee, governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Dyersburg State was established by Tennessee General Assembly in 1967 and held its first classes in 1969. The college primarily serves seven West Tennessee counties: Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, and Tipton counties. In addition to its home campus in Dyersburg, other primary campuses are the Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County in Covington and the Gibson County Center in Trenton. More information about the college is also available at www.dscc.edu.