Sandra Godsey – From Student to Dean

Andrea Byerly
Monday, January 22, 2024 12:00 AM
All, Press Releases, Academics

CLEVELAND, TN - Before she even graduated high school, Sandra Godsey, spent her summers working in the career planning and placement center at Cleveland State Community College while her mother took classes. More than 20 years later, Godsey has been named the Dean of Business and Health Professions at the college – a position she never thought possible when she was a teenager.

“College was never discussed in my home,” said Godsey. “It was not a great situation. My stepfather at the time was not supportive of my mother going to college. He kept telling her that she was wasting her time and her teacher’s time.”

The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) assisted with funding for her mother’s tuition and provided the summer work study program that Godsey embraced. During the work study summers, Godsey met her mentor, Susan Webb-Curtis, director of the placement center at that time. “I didn’t know that college was an outlet for me until Susan said it was an option,” said Godsey. “Susan told me there was financial aid and scholarships. If it wasn’t for the mentoring I received during the summer, I wouldn’t be here.”

After graduating from McMinn County High School, Godsey enrolled at Cleveland State. Two years later, she graduated with an associate degree in business administration and a goal to help people. When opportunity opened at a local pharmacy, Godsey became a pharmacy technician. “I loved it. I was able to help people and use my business degree with inventory control and sales reports.”

While working retail pharmacy, Godsey earned her bachelor’s degree at Bryan College. When a friend asked her to instruct a pharmacy tech night class at Virginia (VA) College in Chattanooga, she began teaching. “I didn’t think she asked the right person, but I loved it,” said Godsey. When the pharmacy closed, she worked full time at VA College until that college closed.

As life shifted again, Godsey visited her mentor who was the dean of business at that time. Webb-Curtis encouraged her to continue her education so Godsey enrolled at Bryan College the next day. She earned a master’s in business administration (MBA) in 2017 and started as an adjunct instructor at Cleveland State in the spring of 2019. Godsey became a full-time instructor when a position opened in the fall of 2019. She has been teaching introduction to business, entrepreneurship, management and legal classes.

When asked why she chose to teach, Godsey said, “I know the impact that one person had on my life, and I want to be that support for others. I know what a degree can do for someone so seeing students achieve their dreams at graduation is a magical moment.”

“Sandra is one of the most outstanding colleagues I had the privilege to supervise,” said Webb-Curtis who is now the Executive Director of Workforce and Community Development at Pellissippi State Community College. “It was incredibly exciting and reaffirming to know that Sandra had been selected as the Dean of Business and Health Professions. She will carry on the legacy of helping students successfully complete their college goals which will most certainly impact their families just as Sandra’s Cleveland State education impacted hers.”

Godsey started as the Dean of Business and Health Professions on December 1, 2023. "Sandra brings a wealth of experience and in-depth expertise within business and healthcare,” said Dr. Corey Campbell, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “She is passionate about Cleveland State, the students and her colleagues, and I look forward to working with her.”

“This is the most magical place to me. I didn’t set out to be dean, but I love Cleveland State,” said Godsey. “I know we have good programs. There is always room for improvement, but we will stay completely student focused in everything we do. Cleveland State has a personal touch, and I experienced that when I was a student here. It’s a community where people really do care.”

Godsey is working on her doctorate in business administration at Bryan College now. Her mother completed her associate degree 25 years after she started, and she is working on her bachelor’s degree at Bryan College as well.

“I’ve heard that I am the first person to be a student, a faculty member and then dean,” said Godsey. “Cleveland State has always been home to me, and this just feels right.”