There will be several new faces on campus when Northwest students return for the fall semester, according to Dr. Marilyn Bateman, dean of academic education on the Senatobia campus of Northwest Mississippi Community College. Several long-time instructors retired at the end of the previous school year and openings became available in academic areas.

Ashley Chavis has joined the Fine Arts Division as an art instructor. He received his bachelor's degree in Arts from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Atlanta, graduating with honors. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the University of Mississippi.

Most recently, Chavis worked as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art at Ole Miss for three semesters, teaching ceramics, composition and drawing. His work has been featured in exhibitions in many states including Mississippi Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Renate Ferreira will be the college's new Journalism instructor and director of Student Publications. Ferreira recently obtained her master's in Journalism from the University of Mississippi. While in her master's program, she worked as production manager and creative services manager for the award-winning "Daily Mississippian" newspaper. She also worked as a graduate assistant in the Journalism Department there. Ferreira, a native of South Africa, received a bachelor's of Science from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and a bachelor's of arts in Art from Ole Miss. She previously worked as a graphic designer for Oxford Publishing and as an advertising designer for the "Daily Mississippian." Ferreira won several awards from the Mississippi Press Association for her work in advertising.

Joining the staff full-time to teach biology is Angel Nickens. Nickens has over 15 years of experience teaching biology, anatomy and physiology, physical science and environmental science. Nickens previously taught as an adjunct instructor at Northwest and Itawamba Community College teaching night, summer and online classes in anatomy and physiology and biology. She graduated from The University of Mississippi with a bachelor's in Biology, and from Delta State with a master's in Biology and Natural Sciences.

Another new face at Northwest this fall will be John Mixon, assistant director of Bands. Mixon, who has 27 years as a music educator, began his career teaching at Lee Academy in Clarksdale before moving to Grenada where he served as Assistant Band Director for nine years. He spent the last 17 years as director of the Oxford High School band program. During his tenure, the Oxford bands earned consistent superior ratings at concert and marching festivals throughout the southeast.

Twice during Mixon's tenure, Oxford's music department was recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences as a Grammy Signature School. Mixon, who received his bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from Ole Miss, has been recognized as Mississippi Band Director of the Year, Teacher of the Year for Oxford High School, And Star Teacher for Oxford High School. He was selected to direct the Mississippi All State Band in 1998 and 1999. He was featured in "School Band and Orchestra Magazine" in the December 1999 issue as one of "50 Directors Who Make a Difference."

Will Dawkins joins the Division of Languages and Communications as an English instructor. Dawkins received his Bachelor's of Arts in English from The University of Mississippi, and his Master's of English from Portland State University. He has worked as an intern in Senator Thad Cochran's office in Washington during his college career. He also worked in the Communications Department at Marketing Services, Inc. in Greenville, Miss., and as an editorial intern at "Northwest Palate Magazine" in Portland, Ore. Most recently, he was employed in the Office of Academic Affairs at Portland State University. He has had several articles published in "Northwest Palate Magazine."

Monica Williams came to Northwest in January as a full-time nursing instructor. Previously she had taught practical nursing and was program director of the Practical Nursing program at the DeSoto Center. She graduated from Northwest with an associate's degree in Nursing, and from the University of Mississippi School of Nursing at DeSoto Center with a bachelor's and master's in Nursing. Williams was named Outstanding Nursing Student at DeSoto Center, and was the recipient of the Pearl and Otis Walters Scholarship. She is currently the vice president of the Mississippi Nurses Association. She has worked as a Medical- Surgical, Urgent Care and Home Care Registered Nurse. She currently holds licenses as a registered nurse and as a nurse educator. Williams presently serves on the Mississippi In Motion committee in Senatobia.

"We are very excited to welcome our new faculty members to Northwest. We're also so pleased by the caliber of the new faculty we have hired. We had some excellent candidates who applied for these positions," Bateman said.

Northwest will begin its fall semester classes on Aug. 20. For more information on attending Northwest, please call the admissions office at 662-562-3219 or visit www.northwestms.edu.