Colors of Germanna is a celebration of the diverse voices, perspectives, and cultures at Germanna Community College. For each cultural observation, we highlight some of our remarkable faculty, staff, and students, exploring the profound influence of their cultural identities on shaping who they are today.
Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, we featured some of our incredible African American staff members who shared insight into the importance of their cultural heritage.
Timone Brown
Coordinator of Student Life & Leadership
With Germanna since 2024
“My culture is a lifeline; a resource to self-knowledge and self-awareness. It reminds me of who I am and empowers me to grow from within my being, instead of altering my identity to fit into the ideas and opinions of others.”
Brianna Lopez
Administrative Assistant to the Interim Dean of Health Technologies
With Germanna since 2023
“Being a part of my culture is empowering. We are strong, resilient, creative, and overcome obstacles. I am proud to be a part of my culture and wouldn't want it any other way.”
Je'Niqua Scott Morris
Financial Aid Advisor
With Germanna since 2016
“My culture’s importance originates from my ancestry and generational upbringing. Having that commonality in culture provides comfort, understanding, and belonging. My culture and the respect for my culture means the most to me for not only myself but my future generations.”
Brenda LeVere
Manager of Testing Services
With Germanna since 2013
“Culture means an opportunity to create, preserve, and share my identity, heritage, history, traditions, and life experiences with my family and within my community.”
Dr. Keyanna Hawkins
Director of Equity Advancement and Early College Programs
With Germanna since 2021
“'Cultural' for me within the Black community is a tapestry woven from a rich variety of threads that represent the diverse experiences, histories, and expressions of Black people. Each thread signifies a different aspect of culture, such as music, language, cuisine, and spirituality, contributing to a larger, intricate pattern that is both beautiful and complex.”
Kellee Akers
Associate Director of Enrollment Services
With Germanna since 2023
“As a Jamaican woman, my culture is both my anchor and my sail. It roots me in a profound sense of community and family, all while inspiring me to reach for the stars and dream big. It's a culture of warmth, laughter, and an unwavering sense of hope—a reflection of Jamaica’s natural beauty and the indomitable spirit of our people.”
Sydney Gaines
Communications Editor
With Germanna since 2022
“My culture empowers me. Being able to celebrate my blackness openly and confidently is something I don’t take for granted. I’m proud of who I am, where I come from, and what I’ve persevered through to become the woman I am today.”
Dr. Yawo Ekpoh
Math Faculty
With Germanna since 2021
“My culture means a lot to me. It defines who I am, my roots, my personal trajectory, and my vision.”
Melissa Lindsay
Library Specialist
With Germanna since 2021
“My culture is the center of who I am. My culture has shaped my beliefs, my values, and my outlook on life.”
Lorraine Pendleton
Executive Assistant to the President
With Germanna since 2020
“My culture is vibrant, a living, breathing entity intertwined with threads of heritage, history, unity, tradition, and an ongoing exploration of identity. I am a proud Black woman carrying the essence of Trinidad, Antigua, Puerto Rico, and America deep within my heart.”
Dr. Tiffany Ray-Patterson
Vice President of Student Services and Equity Advancement
With Germanna since 2018
“To me, culture is the traditions passed down from generation to generation that I honor and acknowledge daily. It's the food, music, and histories that tell stories of their own about the experiences of those generations. It's how and why we connect with each other and share those experiences. Culture is the soul to our otherwise ordinary lives.”
Gianna Zeno
Administrative Assistant to the Director of Marketing and Recruitment
With Germanna since 2023
“My cultures give me a place of belonging and community. I love the food, music, and art that make up both my Italian and Black cultures.”
Jaleesa Hayes
Career & Transfer Administrative Assistant
With Germanna since 2020
“My culture allows me to be present as my true powerful self. It means to be authoritative, independent, determined & strong-willed. It means to be proud, creative, deep rooted, and very intelligent. I’m thankful to have been born into such a beautiful legacy.”
Renisha Nedd
Admissions Coach
With Germanna since 2021
“To me, culture is about sharing values, customs, and finding similarities within ourselves that relate to those we encounter. When I interact with students who look like me, I try to encourage them and give them hope for their futures.”
Lori Johnson
Academic Advisor
With Germanna since 2022
“My culture represents resilience, creativity, and spirituality. We have a remarkable capability to persevere through adversity, we express ourselves through music, food, and our physical appearance, and we have a core belief in a higher purpose.”
Shavanta Hayes
Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Services & Equity Advancement
With Germanna since 2010
“As Black people, we have such a rich and deep-rooted culture. I am a walking testimony to the resilience and strength of those that came before me, and I’m proud to carry out their legacy.”
Tom Ruffin
Library Specialist
With Germanna since 2016
“My culture gives me access to unique traditions, a strong beliefs system, and incredible food.”
Sheila Porter
Senior HR Generalist
With Germanna since 2021
“To me, my culture is a significant aspect of who I am. I believe my culture is the foundation and evolution of my being. Culture helps to define how I show up in this world.”
Teresa Edwards
Student Financial Specialist
With Germanna since 2022
“I honor my blackness, not only during Black History Month, but every single day. Our culture is so significant, and I’m thankful that I get to work at a place where that is celebrated.”
Sherry Hilliard
Adjunct Faculty HR Compensation Specialist
With Germanna since 2022
"Embracing my culture is incredibly important to me. I am the embodiment of a rich history, a bright future, and the unwavering pride of being a Black woman.”
Andria Ross
Math Faculty
With Germanna since 2008
“My culture gives me the opportunity to be a part of something larger than life, and to be proud of my blackness.”
Women's History Month
To celebrate Women’s History Month, we shined a light on some of the women at Germanna who play a significant role in shaping our community and championing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Arab American Heritage Month
We proudly honored Arab American Heritage Month by lifting up Germanna’s Muslim Affinity Group. By celebrating this month, we aimed to foster understanding, appreciation, and unity among our Germanna community.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we shared the stories of some of our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander American staff and faculty members to acknowledge and recognize their contributions.
Pride Month
In honor of Pride Month, we shared the perspectives of LGBTQ+ staff, faculty members, and allies who champion acceptance, love, and equality. Their support and celebration of diverse identities enrich our community, fostering a spirit of belonging and empowerment.
Hispanic Heritage Month
In September and October, we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by spotlighting the rich customs and traditions of Germanna's Latinx staff members.
Native American Heritage Month
In November, we focused on the traditions, stories, and wisdom shared by Germanna's Indigenous staff members, recognizing their invaluable impact both within our institution and beyond.