Outstanding Alumni Honored
DSCC honored Latonya Jackson of Ripley and Chad Webb of Dyersburg with Outstanding Alumni Awards during the College’s annual fall update event Aug. 14. The event was held virtually via Zoom teleconferencing.
Danny Walden, president of the DSCC Alumni Association, and Dr. Karen Bowyer, president of DSCC, presented the awards with over 200 faculty and staff attending virtually.
Jackson graduated from DSCC with an Associate of Science degree in Elementary Education in Aug. 1997. She attended the University of Memphis and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a major in Human Development and Learning in 1999; and a Master of Science degree in Education with a major in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama in 2006. In addition, she received a master’s degree in Education with a major in Educational Leadership from Trevecca University in 2010.
Jackson began her career working at Brighton Middle School as a teacher and counselor in 1999. In 2010, she became the assistant principal at Ripley Middle School. Following this, she became the principal of Haywood High School in 2018. She is currently employed at the Lauderdale County Board of Education as the director of secondary and career technical education.
She received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the University of Tennessee at Martin’s WestStar Leadership Program and is a member of the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents Associate Leadership Institute (TOSS/ALI).
“DSCC made it convenient to advance my education,” stated Jackson. “They offered multiple classes at all times throughout the day allowing me to work around my family’s schedule. The faculty and staff were friendly and always willing to help. There were appropriate class sizes that did not create barriers for learning. The campus was always clean and I felt safe.”
She and her husband Dalton reside in Ripley and they have two children: Travis and Latrecia.
Webb graduated from DSCC with an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2005. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management in 2006 and a master’s degree in Business Administration in 2011 from Bethel University.
He began his career at the Weakley and Obion County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy sheriff in 1999. In 2002, he became a deputy sheriff with the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office. He was employed as a police officer with the City of Dyersburg Police Department from 2003 until 2018. In 2018, Webb sought a different career path and became the human resource manager for Dot Foods, Inc., where he remains employed today.
Webb is a current member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and serves as the West Tennessee Regional Soccer Director and the Dyersburg Middle School soccer coach for both the boys’ and girls’ teams. Webb is a former member of the Fraternal Order of Police; crisis negotiator for the Dyersburg Police Department Special Response Team; sergeant in the Dyersburg Police Department Professional Services Unit; Traffic Accident Reconstructionist; School Resource Officer; member of the Governor’s Highway Safety Administration; Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Instructor; member of the Tennessee School Resource Officer’s Association; member of the National School Resource Officer’s Association; and member of the National Tactical Officer’s Association. He is a graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and garnered many accolades for service to the community during his law enforcement career.
“Dyersburg State Community College changed the path of my future,” stated Webb. “DSCC allowed me to gain a foundation to build a successful career. Obtaining my degree enabled me to be a better provider for my family. DSCC provided the chance to change my future. When I completed my degree, there were no opportunities to attend online classes. That meant attendance was critical and that was a hurdle for a working adult with a family. The completion of my associate degree allowed me to discover the confidence from within to go on and accomplish even higher levels of education. Looking back, I am very thankful for this Institution and its faculty, leadership and Dr. Bowyer who afforded me the gift of education that changed my life.”
He and his wife Mandy reside in Dyersburg and they have two daughters and one son: Paige, Taylor, and Gavin.
Each year, DSCC presents the Outstanding Alumni Award to nominated individuals who have excelled in their field, given back to the community, and served as positive role models. Alumni interested in joining the DSCC Alumni Association should contact Constance Clay at 731-286-3349 or clay@dscc.edu.