Campus Life - Student Engagement

Student Engagement Staff

Campus Life > Student Engagement Staff

Jason L. Meriwether, Vice President of Student Engagement and Enrollment Management Jason L. Meriwether serves as Vice President of Student Engagement & Enrollment Management at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. Mr. Meriwether’s passion is for innovative and personalized development and the education of students in all phases of his interactions in the collegiate setting. At the age of 25, Mr. Meriwether became the Assistant Dean of Students and was the youngest senior level administrator on his campus and he was also among the youngest high-ranking university administrators in the United States. Mr. Meriwether believes that the key to success in enrollment management lies in the ability to adapt to new trends in technology and student development theory, coupled with an astute understanding of how application of outcomes assessment impacts all aspects of student learning and engagement. In his role as Vice President, Mr. Meriwether is responsible for oversight of Admission & Recruitment, Financial Aid, Athletics & Intramural Programs, Public Safety, Student Engagement (which includes Student Development & Programs, Judicial Affairs, Career Development & Leadership, Community Service, Student Orientation, and Greek Life) and Campus Services (which includes Housing & Residence Life, the Campus Health Center, and Campus Dining). Mr. Meriwether is also a former Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at Fisk, where he instructed courses in Social Psychology and General Psychology. As a professor, Mr. Meriwether believes in challenging students to engage in critical analysis of theory and practical ideas through a psychological lens. Mr. Meriwether’s personal commitment to health-education and support of healthy lifestyle-choices has led him to develop student organizations at Fisk to conduct Health Education programming focused on HIV/AIDS awareness, Cervical Cancer and Men’s & Women’s Health. Mr. Meriwether also sponsors the annual Alcohol Abuse Education Week among numerous service learning and community service projects aimed at spreading health awareness on the Fisk campus. In 2010, Mr. Meriwether was selected for the inaugural Academic Leadership Academy at The Pennsylvania State University Center for the Study of Higher Education. Mr. Meriwether is also on the Board of Directors for Community Nashville, a not-for-profit organization that serves the city of Nashville through diversity education programs for youth and targets eliminating bias and racism from the community. Mr. Meriwether is a former junior basketball league coach for Youth Incorporated in Nashville, and for the YMCA in Los Angeles, CA. and he is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Mr. Meriwether earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication from the University of Louisville and his Master of Arts Degree in Psychology from Fisk University, and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Education Degree in Administration and Supervision with a concentration in Higher Education at Tennessee State University. Jason and his wife LaTanya, are active in the Nashville community, and are the proud parents of Jason II, Micah, Jasmyne, Julian, & Jordyn. Vice President Meriwether can be reached at (615) 329-8854 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (615) 329-8854 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or jmeriwether@fisk.edu
Katara Grissom Executive Assistant to the Vice President 615) 329-8642 kagrissom@fisk.edu	Katara A. Grissom serves as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Engagement & Enrollment Management. Ms. Grissom is a proud alumna of Fisk University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She graduated cum laude in May 2010. She is currently a candidate for a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership at Tennessee State University. Upon completion of her master’s degree, it is Ms. Grissom’s intent to pursue a doctorate degree in higher education.

Natara Garvin Dean of Student Engagement (615) 329-8635 ngarvin@fisk.edu	Natara Garvin began her role as Dean of Student Engagement on February 1, 2013. In this role, Mrs. Garvin will have oversight of Career Development and Leadership, Student Development and Programs, Judicial Affairs, Student Government, Greek Life, and the Counseling Center. Mrs. Garvin is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Natara has lived in Tennessee for three years. Before joining the team at Fisk, She was a Communications professor/ Advisor at Motlow State Community College. Natara brings a variety of educational experiences with her having worked for the University of Memphis in development programs for at-risk youth as well as utilizing her transition skills in programs such as STEM and TLSAMP. Her favorite quote by George Washington Carver is “When you do common things in an uncommon way you will command the attention of the world.” Natara greets each day with excitement and an eagerness to help our students transition to the next phase in their lives.

Open Position Director of Student Development and Programs (615) 329-8549
Anthony Owens Director of Athletics and Intramural Sports (615) 329-8782 aowens@fisk.edu	Anthony Owens is a native of Nashville, TN. He received both his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Tennessee State University where he was an All-American football player. After college, he went on to play professional football for two years with the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals. He coached football on the collegiate level for 13 years with four of those years in a coordinator’s role. He has held various positions within the administration of several universities. He was an admissions recruiter for Tennessee State University and the Assistant Director of Student Support Services at Texas Southern University. Prior to assume the role of Director of Athletics at Fisk University, Anthony served as the Director of New Livingstone Hall and the liaison for Student Life for the male population of the Fisk University. Mr. Owens has been involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for over 14 years and has experience with at risk youth. He is married to the former Perri duGard of Nashville.

Open Position Director of Career Development and Leadership (615) 329-8635
Tashaye Byrdsong Career Development Specialist (615) 329-8504 tbyrdsong@fisk.edu	Tashaye Byrdsong currently serves as Career Development Specialist for the Student Engagement Division of Fisk University. Ms. Byrdsong is a proud alumna of Fisk University where she received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Administration and Sociology. She graduated cum laude in May 2009. She is currently a candidate for a Masters in Public Administration at Tennessee State University. When time permits, Ms. Byrdsong enjoys traveling to her hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana to visit family and friends. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading and decorating.
Dr. Christopher Duke Director of Campus Services (615) 329-8635 cduke@fisk.edu	Dr. Christopher A. Duke received a BS from Fisk University in Music Education with Teacher Education Certification 1991, and a MS in Music Education from Tennessee State University 1995. Doctor of Education, Tennessee State University 2009. Station Manager WFSK Radio 1990-1991. Employed in Student Life at Fisk University 1991, Director of New Livingstone Hall. Director Fisk University Choir and University Organist Fisk University 1991-1994, Area Coordinator Fisk University 1996-2003, Housing and Program Specialist 2003-2010, Campus Services Director 2010, Director Fisk University Choir 2000-2011. Dr. Duke maintains membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Greek Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.
Tanesha Carney Database Administrator (615) 329-8597 tcarney@fisk.edu
Kernysha L. Rowe Jubilee Hall Director (615) 329-8558 krowe@fisk.edu	Kernysha L. Rowe hails from across the Atlantic Ocean where she was born and raised in Birmingham, England from immigrant Jamaican grandparents. Currently she serves as the Resident Director of the “Crowned Jewel” of Fisk University’s Jubilee Hall. Before arriving in Nashville, she lived in Orlando and Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington, D.C. Prior to working at Fisk University she worked in corporate event logistics and higher education (specifically admissions, academic advising, student and leadership development and student programming). In 2006, she graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and Journalism, earned a Masters in Business Administration from The University of Phoenix in 2009, and later graduated from The George Washington University in 2012 with a Masters in Higher Education Administration. She is also a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. Ms. Rowe enjoys traveling to visit friends and family abroad, fashion, and playing the piano.
Danielle Pettigrew Crosthwaite Hall Director (615) 329-8877 dpettigrew@fisk.edu	Danielle Pettigrew is a native of St. Louis, MO. She is a proud first generation college graduate. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies in 2010 as well as her Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration in 2012 from Southeast Missouri State University. Before coming to Fisk University to work as a Resident Director she worked as a Graduate Assistant as an administrator of Student Conduct in the Dean of Students office at Southeast Missouri State University. She also advised several student centered organizations such as Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Association of Black Collegians, and the All University Judicial Board. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Kappa Delta Pi-the International honor society in the field of Education, and the Association of Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA).
Alexander Doyle New Livingstone Hall Director (615) 329-8488 adoyle@fisk.edu	Mr. Alexander Doyle is the current Director of New Livingstone Hall at Fisk University. Mr. Doyle completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Fisk University, where he is currently pursuing a Master of Psychology degree. Prior to his current position, Mr. Doyle worked at Murtis H. Taylor, where he provided community support and advocacy to persons diagnosed as mentally ill. Mr. Doyle also worked at Fisk University as the Living Learning Center Coordinator in New Livingstone.

Jason L. Meriwether, Vice President of Student Engagement and Enrollment Management

Jason L. Meriwether serves as Vice President of Student Engagement & Enrollment Management at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. Mr. Meriwether’s passion is for innovative and personalized development and the education of students in all phases of his interactions in the collegiate setting. At the age of 25, Mr. Meriwether became the Assistant Dean of Students and was the youngest senior level administrator on his campus and he was also among the youngest high-ranking university administrators in the United States. Mr. Meriwether believes that the key to success in enrollment management lies in the ability to adapt to new trends in technology and student development theory, coupled with an astute understanding of how application of outcomes assessment impacts all aspects of student learning and engagement. In his role as Vice President, Mr. Meriwether is responsible for oversight of Admission & Recruitment, Financial Aid, Athletics & Intramural Programs, Public Safety, Student Engagement (which includes Student Development & Programs, Judicial Affairs, Career Development & Leadership, Community Service, Student Orientation, and Greek Life) and Campus Services (which includes Housing & Residence Life, the Campus Health Center, and Campus Dining). Mr. Meriwether is also a former Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at Fisk, where he instructed courses in Social Psychology and General Psychology. As a professor, Mr. Meriwether believes in challenging students to engage in critical analysis of theory and practical ideas through a psychological lens.

Mr. Meriwether’s personal commitment to health-education and support of healthy lifestyle-choices has led him to develop student organizations at Fisk to conduct Health Education programming focused on HIV/AIDS awareness, Cervical Cancer and Men’s & Women’s Health. Mr. Meriwether also sponsors the annual Alcohol Abuse Education Week among numerous service learning and community service projects aimed at spreading health awareness on the Fisk campus.

In 2010, Mr. Meriwether was selected for the inaugural Academic Leadership Academy at The Pennsylvania State University Center for the Study of Higher Education. Mr. Meriwether is also on the Board of Directors for Community Nashville, a not-for-profit organization that serves the city of Nashville through diversity education programs for youth and targets eliminating bias and racism from the community. Mr. Meriwether is a former junior basketball league coach for Youth Incorporated in Nashville, and for the YMCA in Los Angeles, CA. and he is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Mr. Meriwether earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication from the University of Louisville and his Master of Arts Degree in Psychology from Fisk University, and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Education Degree in Administration and Supervision with a concentration in Higher Education at Tennessee State University. Jason and his wife LaTanya, are active in the Nashville community, and are the proud parents of Jason II, Micah, Jasmyne, Julian, & Jordyn.

Vice President Meriwether can be reached at (615) 329-8854 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (615) 329-8854 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or jmeriwether@fisk.edu

Katara Grissom
Executive Assistant to the Vice President
615) 329-8642
kagrissom@fisk.edu

Katara A. Grissom serves as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Engagement & Enrollment Management. Ms. Grissom is a proud alumna of Fisk University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She graduated cum laude in May 2010. She is currently a candidate for a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership at Tennessee State University. Upon completion of her master’s degree, it is Ms. Grissom’s intent to pursue a doctorate degree in higher education.

Natara Garvin
Dean of Student Engagement
(615) 329-8635
ngarvin@fisk.edu

Natara Garvin began her role as Dean of Student Engagement on February 1, 2013. In this role, Mrs. Garvin will have oversight of Career Development and Leadership, Student Development and Programs, Judicial Affairs, Student Government, Greek Life, and the Counseling Center.

Mrs. Garvin is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Natara has lived in Tennessee for three years. Before joining the team at Fisk, She was a Communications professor/ Advisor at Motlow State Community College. Natara brings a variety of educational experiences with her having worked for the University of Memphis in development programs for at-risk youth as well as utilizing her transition skills in programs such as STEM and TLSAMP. Her favorite quote by George Washington Carver is “When you do common things in an uncommon way you will command the attention of the world.” Natara greets each day with excitement and an eagerness to help our students transition to the next phase in their lives.

Open Position
Director of Student
Development and Programs
(615) 329-8549

Anthony Owens
Director of Athletics and Intramural Sports
(615) 329-8782
aowens@fisk.edu

Anthony Owens is a native of Nashville, TN. He received both his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Tennessee State University where he was an All-American football player. After college, he went on to play professional football for two years with the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals. He coached football on the collegiate level for 13 years with four of those years in a coordinator’s role.

He has held various positions within the administration of several universities. He was an admissions recruiter for Tennessee State University and the Assistant Director of Student Support Services at Texas Southern University. Prior to assume the role of Director of Athletics at Fisk University, Anthony served as the Director of New Livingstone Hall and the liaison for Student Life for the male population of the Fisk University.

Mr. Owens has been involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for over 14 years and has experience with at risk youth. He is married to the former Perri duGard of Nashville.

Open Position
Director of Career Development
and Leadership
(615) 329-8635

Tashaye Byrdsong
Career Development Specialist
(615) 329-8504
tbyrdsong@fisk.edu

Tashaye Byrdsong currently serves as Career Development Specialist for the Student Engagement Division of Fisk University. Ms. Byrdsong is a proud alumna of Fisk University where she received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Administration and Sociology. She graduated cum laude in May 2009. She is currently a candidate for a Masters in Public Administration at Tennessee State University. When time permits, Ms. Byrdsong enjoys traveling to her hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana to visit family and friends. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading and decorating.

Dr. Christopher Duke
Director of Campus Services
(615) 329-8635
cduke@fisk.edu

Dr. Christopher A. Duke received a BS from Fisk University in Music Education with Teacher Education Certification 1991, and a MS in Music Education from Tennessee State University 1995. Doctor of Education, Tennessee State University 2009. Station Manager WFSK Radio 1990-1991. Employed in Student Life at Fisk University 1991, Director of New Livingstone Hall. Director Fisk University Choir and University Organist Fisk University 1991-1994, Area Coordinator Fisk University 1996-2003, Housing and Program Specialist 2003-2010, Campus Services Director 2010, Director Fisk University Choir 2000-2011. Dr. Duke maintains membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Greek Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.

Tanesha Carney
Database Administrator
(615) 329-8597
tcarney@fisk.edu

Kernysha L. Rowe
Jubilee Hall Director
(615) 329-8558
krowe@fisk.edu

Kernysha L. Rowe hails from across the Atlantic Ocean where she was born and raised in Birmingham, England from immigrant Jamaican grandparents. Currently she serves as the Resident Director of the “Crowned Jewel” of Fisk University’s Jubilee Hall. Before arriving in Nashville, she lived in Orlando and Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington, D.C. Prior to working at Fisk University she worked in corporate event logistics and higher education (specifically admissions, academic advising, student and leadership development and student programming). In 2006, she graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and Journalism, earned a Masters in Business Administration from The University of Phoenix in 2009, and later graduated from The George Washington University in 2012 with a Masters in Higher Education Administration. She is also a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. Ms. Rowe enjoys traveling to visit friends and family abroad, fashion, and playing the piano.

Danielle Pettigrew
Crosthwaite Hall Director
(615) 329-8877
dpettigrew@fisk.edu

Danielle Pettigrew is a native of St. Louis, MO. She is a proud first generation college graduate. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies in 2010 as well as her Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration in 2012 from Southeast Missouri State University. Before coming to Fisk University to work as a Resident Director she worked as a Graduate Assistant as an administrator of Student Conduct in the Dean of Students office at Southeast Missouri State University. She also advised several student centered organizations such as Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Association of Black Collegians, and the All University Judicial Board. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Kappa Delta Pi-the International honor society in the field of Education, and the Association of Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA).

Alexander Doyle
New Livingstone Hall Director
(615) 329-8488
adoyle@fisk.edu

Mr. Alexander Doyle is the current Director of New Livingstone Hall at Fisk University. Mr. Doyle completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Fisk University, where he is currently pursuing a Master of Psychology degree. Prior to his current position, Mr. Doyle worked at Murtis H. Taylor, where he provided community support and advocacy to persons diagnosed as mentally ill. Mr. Doyle also worked at Fisk University as the Living Learning Center Coordinator in New Livingstone.

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