Leader College 2025

Clarissa J. Sparks, Ed.D., MBA Marketing Management Program Chair and Marketing Instructor Dr. Clarissa J. Sparks is a brand strategist, author, educator, and servant leader with over a decade of expertise in marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership development. She serves as the Marketing Management Program Chair and Marketing Instructor at Georgia Piedmont Technical College and a Facilitator for the Bank of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University. She is also a Visiting Scholar at Rutgers University’s Center for Minority Serving Institutions, where she collaborates on advancing research and initiatives to support educational equity and innovation.

Dr. Sparks has an extensive background in learning and development, having designed impactful programs for organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), McKesson, and Epic Systems.
As the creator of the SPARKS Brand Method™, a proprietary framework for building strong, scalable brands, Dr. Sparks has mentored over 6,000 entrepreneurs through workshops, courses, and individualized coaching.
She is an active leader in her community, serving on the executive boards of Leadership Perimeter, Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education.

Dr. Sparks earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership from Clark Atlanta University, an MBA from Troy University, and a Bachelor’s in Marketing and International Business from Albany State University.

She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and enjoys domestic and international travel, hosting, and entertaining family and friends

Deanna Igbonagwam earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Clark Atlanta University. While working as a Flight Attendant, Deanna began to attend Mercer University where she received a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership. During her time at Mercer University, Deanna had the honor of serving as an intern in both career services and the admission department at Atlanta Technical College. In 2021, Deanna earned her second master's degree in Rhetoric and Composition from Liberty University. During her matriculation through Liberty University, she had the opportunity to tutor students in writing and work as an English Adjunct Instructor at Athens Technical College. Currently, Deanna is a full-time English Instructor at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, committed to service from the heart and lifelong learning.

Deanna enjoys nurturing her daughter. In her free time, she finds happiness in reading, spending time with family, and giving back to her community through initiatives led by her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Donnie Stallings holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Albany State University and a Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. Currently serving as the Program Chair for Accounting, Finance, and Banking, Donnie is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and professional growth. His previous roles include Recreation Center Director with DeKalb County Government and Multi-Unit Team Lead at H&R Block, where he gained valuable leadership and operational expertise. A proud member of the Georgia Society of CPAs, Donnie combines his passion for accounting with a commitment to education and community impact. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys watching sports and coaching basketball, sharing his love for teamwork and strategy both on and off the court.

Janice Pressley, currently serves as the Program Director, Advisor, Faculty and Practicum Coordinator for the Medical Assisting Program since 2014. Previously she worked as the Medical Assisting Lead Instructor for Westwood College for 9 years. She has worked in clinical setting at Oakwood Medical Clinic in Oakwood, GA. She a member of the Georgia State Society of Medical Assistants and the Hall County Chapter of Medical Assistants. As a member of the Hall County Chapter, she has served as the Vice-President and Secretary. She has 20 years teaching and 10 years working as a Medical Assistant.

Her journey to become a Medical Assistant began in 1998 after becoming a dislocated worker in manufacturing. She is a graduate of Lanier Technical College with a diploma in Medical Assisting. She earned an Associates degree in Medical Assisting and a Bachelors degree in Healthcare Management from Westwood College. MBA; Healthcare Administration from Argosy University.

She currently lives in Gillsville, Ga, and has been married 42 years to her school sweetheart. Has 2 children and 6 grandchildren. She enjoys reading, camping, and spending time with her grandchildren and her fur babies.

Justin Haynes is the Director of Building Automation Systems at Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC). Now in his second year in this role, Justin has been instrumental in developing an innovative, hands-on BAS program that integrates advanced technologies and real-world applications. Previously, he was a Senior BAS Technician at BASE Labs, Inc., where he led the installation of BAS training labs across the U.S. and managed the conversion of BASE Labs headquarters into a smart facility. Justin also held key roles in BAS installation and troubleshooting at Frazier Services Company. He resides in Decatur, Georgia. In his free time, Justin enjoys basketball, hiking with his wife, and DJing.

Dr. Melinda Robinson-Moffett serves as the Assistant Vice President of Corporate and Community Relations for Georgia Piedmont Technical College and reaffirms her commitment daily in her commute from her long-time residence in Lizella, GA.

Prior to GPTC, Dr. Robinson-Moffett served as the inaugural leader for the Office of Strategic Partnerships at Middle Georgia State University where she developed academic and career-ready training for industry partners. There she also established the Center for Career and Professional Development to administer career-ready training to students and alumni. Both offices are still standing strong today.

Melinda obtained a B.A. in Political Science from Fort Valley State University, an MPA from Troy University, and a Ph.D. Higher Education Leadership from Mercer University. She is a proud graduate of the Leadership Macon (2009), the Georgia Academy for Economic Development (2016) and Leadership Georgia (2018). She enjoys reading, coloring, and gardening with her husband, Dr. Keith Moffett.

Necole Floyd-Turner, JD, is the Program Director and Chair of the Paralegal Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. In this role, she leads curriculum design, oversees program operations, and mentors aspiring paralegals, ensuring they are prepared for dynamic legal careers. With over 20 years of experience in collegiate education, Necole has also worked as a Legal Research and Writing Specialist at various law firms in Atlanta, GA, honing her expertise in legal analysis and writing for Federal and State Court systems. She has also served as a Professor of Paralegal Studies at Kennesaw State University and Purdue University Global Campus. She is passionate about addressing food insecurity among college students, advocating for solutions to support their academic and personal success. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Auburn University in Auburn, AL and a Juris Doctorate from the Jones School of Law at Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL.

Neil Abraham began his automotive journey at a little independent garage in Decatur, Georgia. There, he quickly realized he had a natural knack for automotive things and proceeded to register for classes at Dekalb Technical College.

During the time of attending Dekalb Technical, Neil gained valuable knowledge and experience both in the classroom and out in the field at various levels of the automotive industry. In his last role prior to coming to Georgia Piedmont Technical College, he worked at Tesla, Inc. in Toronto, Canada, where he gained invaluable experience in cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. His dedication to sustainability and innovation has led him to Georgia Piedmont Technical College where he serves as an automotive instructor and is instrumental in developing the college’s upcoming electric vehicle program.

Neil’s professional journey reflects a passion for education and equipping others with the tools to thrive in an evolving industry. Drawing on his industry expertise, he is committed to empowering students and advancing the future of clean energy transportation.
Neil currently resides in Conyers with his sister and her family.

A lifelong learner, he enjoys reading, cycling, board games, and track and field. Whether mentoring students or exploring his hobbies, Neil finds fulfillment in fostering growth, building community, and embracing innovation.

Rod Gardner, MA, RHIA, is the Dean of Allied Health at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, where he leads efforts to enhance program quality, expand enrollment, and drive student success in various healthcare disciplines. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration at Liberty University, demonstrating his commitment to advancing education and workforce development in the healthcare sector.

As a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Rod earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Administration from the Medical College of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Human Services with a concentration in Health and Wellness from Liberty University.
Before joining Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Rod served as the Associate Dean of Health Sciences at West Georgia Technical College, where he oversaw program operations, fostered academic excellence, and supported faculty and staff development. His career spans over a decade in education and training, including roles as an Instructor, Program Director, and workforce innovator. While serving Clayton County Public Schools, Rod cultivated partnerships and work-based learning opportunities for students enrolled in Career Technical Agricultural Education pathways and provided support to teachers in healthcare and human services disciplines at the district level.

Rod has a true passion for learning and developing talent in both staff and students. In his free time, he enjoys staying active through fitness and spending quality time with family and friends.

Stacha Hayes serves as the Nursing Program Chair at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, where she is leading the development of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program to address the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals. Stacha holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing Education, and a Master of Business Administration and has been a Registered Nurse for nine years. She has held leadership roles at Emory University and Emory Healthcare, where she honed her skills in teaching, project management, and workforce development. She is passionate about fostering student success and advancing healthcare education. In her free time, she enjoys immersing herself in nature, listening to music, traveling, and cherishing moments with family and friends.