The Bluefield State College Speakers Bureau is designed to be a resource for civic, non-profit, educational, and service organizations across West Virginia. Respected speakers from a variety of fields are available to deliver presentations on a wide range of interesting topics, including, but not limited to:
The Speakers Bureau is an excellent and easy way to provide programs of substance offering relevant learning opportunities. Presentations are designed to inform and stimulate audiences in an entertaining and educational manner.
Please review this roster of talented speakers and consider them as you plan future programs. Please call Jim Nelson, Director of Media Relations, at (304) 327-4103 or Karen Gordon, Public Relations Specialist, at (304) 327-4014 with questions or to discuss your plans to host a program.
Name |
Title |
Topics of Expertise |
Facts/Experiences in Areas of Expertise |
Aldridge, William E. |
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Administration and Retired Colonel |
Homeland Security Police Operations |
Colonel Aldridge served for 31 years in the US Military. He has also been Chief of Staff, WV National Guard, and he has served as Chief of Staff for Task Force Belle Chasse during post-Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in New Orleans. |
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| Bebout-Carr, Sharon |
Assistant Professor of Speech and Theatre |
Theatre at Bluefield State; Storytelling and Storytelling Workshops; Effective Communication Strategies |
Dr. Carr has written and directed three original full length plays and numerous stage adaptations. She has written and performed a full length, one person show and has 20 years experience as a speaker, performer, writer, and director. |
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Ferguson, Dr. Tamara |
Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor of English |
Public Speaking; Social Capital- using interpersonal communication; Teaching Composition work; Education |
Dr. Ferguson's topic--social capital--considers the features of social organization such as networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit. |
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Hallman-Warner, Shelia |
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Administration |
Corrections- Related Issues |
Professor Hallman-Warner presents on a regular basis at national conferences regarding Ethics in Corrections, as well as "The Academic Connection" (higher education benefits). She presented at the WV Dept. of Corrections Leadership Institute, and is a member of Professional Education Council of American Correctional Association. |
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Halsey-Hunter, Dr. Deb |
Professor of Business |
Many Business Communications Topics; Resumes- Interviews; Technology Topics; Women Issues; Conflict Resolution |
Dr. Halsey-Hunter has conducted workshops on many topics at many levels- Career Connections (9th grade) on communication. She has also spoken to many women's groups on various women's issues. |
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Harvey, Karen |
Director of Institutional Advancement and Planning |
Planned Giving; Donor Relations; Board Relations; Prosperity Consciousness |
Ms. Harvey holds an MS, Arts Administration, Shenandoah University. Her thesis was entitled, "Planned Giving Plan in Rural Area; Professional and Volunteer Fundraising." |
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James, Gerald B. |
Business Development Director |
BSC R&D Corporation; Customer Service; Business Incubation; Call Centers; Physical and Data Security; Integrated Computer Applications/Systems; Telephone Systems |
Mr. James is co-chair of the MountainSouth Incubator Alliance; Installed and ran call centers for Fortune 500, higher education and small business and was a US Navy Physical and ADP Security specialist; Former Law Enforcement Officer; Speaker at national, regional, and local events. He has been a keynote speaker and guest lecturer on developing world-class customer service organizations. |
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Jamkhandi, Dr. Sudhakar R. |
Office of International Initiatives Coordinator |
International Topics |
Dr. Jamkhandi received the 2002 Cyrus R. Vance Award for the Promotion of International Education in West Virginia. He has extensive experience in arranging business and cultural exchange partnerships. |
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Kalk, Dr. Julie |
Assistant Professor of Physics |
High Energy Physics |
Dr. Kalk's topic--The study of high energy physics--is important not only because we don't fully understand how the universe works, but because it generates state-of-the-art technology. The greatest example of this is the www. High energy physics invented the www. |
Kirby, Carolyn |
Director of Student Support Services |
21st Century Competitive Job Market; 1st generation students; non-traditional students |
Ms. Kirby details how to compete in today's job market and get the job of your dreams. Her presentation includes challenges faced by first generation college students how to overcome barriers to academic success, and how non-traditional students can obtain a college education while meeting the challenges of work and family. |
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Lilly, Michael H. |
Director of the Criminal Justice Program and Professor of Criminal Justice |
Criminal Justice System; Community Policing; Civil Justice System; Homeland Security |
Professor Lilly is a speaker at civic and professional organizations, addressing topics involving the criminal, criminal justice systems and homeland security. |
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Mann, Susan |
Visiting Assistant Professor of Marketing |
Marketing, Ford PAS |
Ms. Mann details considerations involved in creating marketing plans and advertising for local businesses. She recently received a grant award from the Ford Partnership in Advanced Studies-21st Century work skills into high schools and community. |
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Olmsted, Dr. Garrett |
Professor of Social Sciences |
Ancient Art; Mythology; Indigenous Peoples; Subsistence Economy |
Dr. Olmsted is an authoritative source on Celtic Religion. He has published five books and more than 30 papers on the Celts. He has detailed his research at conferences in Wales, Belgium, Scotland, Italy, France, Ireland, and Slovakia. |
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Owensby, Roger |
Assistant Professor of Mining Engineering Technology |
Mining: Productivity, Safety, Retreat Mining, Mountain Bumps, Ventilation |
Professor Owensby is co-author of the following works: Documentation of Mining Techniques Used to Mitigate Mountain Bumps, and Safety for Underground Surveyors. He also taught mining in China for one semester. |
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Pickeral, Dr. Chuck |
Associate Professor of Music |
Music; Art; Arts in Education |
Dr. Pickeral holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Fine Arts that synthesizes study in music, visual art, drama, and philosophy. He has more than 25 years' experience as a professional musician and educator in Virginia, Illinois, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Colorado, and West Virginia, and he conducts workshops and seminars on using the arts to facilitate personal growth and healing. |
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| Scott, Dr. Elaine |
Dean of the School of Business and Professor of Business |
Personal Finance, Economics, Marketing |
Dr. Scott holds a Ph.D. in Consumer Economics. She has taught in higher education for 24 years, and has five years’ experience as a stock broker. She is also a Certified Financial Planner. Her topics include “Ten Steps to Financial Security”; “Investing for Women”; “Living Well in Retirement”; “Riding the Roller Coaster Market”; “Ten Steps to Successful Selling”, and; “What is a Target Market?”. |
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Smith, Dr. Michael |
Professor of English |
Fishing/Fly Fishing VA and WV |
Dr. Smith has published five guide books about fishing VA and WV: Fishing the New River Valley: An Angler's Guide; Fishing the Roanoke Valley: An Angler's Guide; Fishing the Shenandoah Valley: An Angler's Guide; Fishing the Greenbrier Valley: An Angler's Guide; Fishing Virginia Highlands: An Angler's Guide. |
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Turner, Nancy Adam |
Reference, Government, and Instruction Librarian |
Government Contracts on Knowledge Management and Electronic Information Systems; Information Literacy |
As an educator, Ms. Turner worked in Europe and the Middle East. She has experience in topics involving cultural diversity and ESL. As a librarian, she is also interested in helping dyslexics. |
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Woart, Dr. Anthony T. |
Professor of Sociology and Director/Minority Health Institute |
Research Ethics; Health Disparities; Diversity in Heath Care |
Dr. Woart's expertise focuses upon minority health research, research methods, organizational behavior, crimes and the criminal justice system, business development, and grant writing, and race and ethnic relations. |
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