Through the generosity of Jim and Janet Ayers and the Ayers Foundation, the Foundation for the College System of Tennessee has created the Dr. Allana Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Fund to assist students in need who are enrolled in programs throughout TBR—The College System of Tennessee.
The Ayers have given an initial $25,000 and will match up to $50,000 to establish an endowed scholarship in the memory of an outstanding educator, leader and person.
Dr. Allana Hamilton was appointed Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs by the Tennessee Board of Regents, effective October 2019.
She began her career as an adjunct professor of biology in 1991 at Northeast State Community College, where she became a full-time faculty member the following year and rose through the ranks to become the college’s vice president of academic affairs in 2008. She served in that role until January 2017 when the Board of Regents appointed her the fifth president of Jackson State Community College. As president, she maintained an open-door policy to improve campus communications and built the college’s relationships with the community and with universities across the region, signing articulation agreements with them that paved the way for JSCC graduates to advance their educations. She was presented the Jackson Award for her service to the community.
Dr. Hamilton earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology at Tusculum University, her Master of Science in biological sciences at East Tennessee State University and her Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy analysis at ETSU.
Lana always spoke of her love for students and their success. She was a first-generation college graduate with plans to attend medical school. However, those plans changed when she discovered a love for teaching as a biology lab assistant in graduate school. Her love for the profession grew further when she became a state park naturalist during the summer teaching visitors about plant and animal life in her beloved Appalachian foothills and valleys.
As she progressed through the leadership ranks of higher education, her mission became laser-focused on facilitating and recreating for others the 'a-ha' moments she loved and experienced when she was a classroom professor.
Dr. Hamilton’s professionalism, knowledge and collegiality were genuine. Every word, every action, and every day of her life was filled with joy for her work, her colleagues, her family and her students.