Atlanta Metropolitan State College
Purpose Statement
AMSCRA is the official organization for Atlanta Metropolitan State College retirees. AMSCRA is recognized as such by both the University System of Georgia and Atlanta Metropolitan State College.
Organization
AMSCRA membership is composed of retired AMSC employees. Its has bylaws which define its organizational structure, officers, and description of officers responsibilities. Following are the current officers of AMSCRA:
AMSCRA Officers (2018-2020)
Convener: Kathleen "Joy" Peters
Peters as a founding faculty member of Atlanta Junior College, designed the 8 course art curriculum and taught most of the art courses for 27 years. During her tenure she was the Acting Chair of Humanities and Fine Arts Division from Sept 1989 through June 1990, served as Art Club advisor and was active on numerous committees. In February, 2001 she retired from Atlanta Metropolitan College as a Professor of Art.
In the Spring of 2016, when the Atlanta Metropolitan State College Retirees Association was formed, K. Joy Peters was elected as the first Convener for the Association. The Executive Committee has revised By-laws, developed membership forms, initiated Retiree ID cars and parking permits, established a relationship with AMC Foundation and Strategic Marketing & Advancement, forged a relationship with Human Resources and developed a web site during her tenure as Convener. Her term will expire in August of 2020.
Warren Leon, Co-Convener
Cheryl Maxwell, Recording Secretary
Cheryl Maxwell came to AMC (now AMSC) as a student in 1993. She was hired as a secretary in Plant Operations in 1994. She was promoted to Administrative Secretary to the Vice President for Academic Affairs where she stayed for 9 years. She attended the University of Namibia in SW Africa for 4 months as a study abroad student in 1997. She graduated from AMC in 1998. While working during the day in Academic Affairs and going to Georgia State at night, she graduated in 2001. She earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Central Michigan University in 2004. At that time, she was promoted to Coordinator for Academic Advising where she was a one-man department for 6 years. She then moved on to Assistant Director of Enrollment Management for 2 years. During these years, she taught as an adjunct. Ms. Maxwell became the Academic Athletic Advisor for the basketball players. Under her leadership, both the men and women teams made “National All Academic Team” with AMSC becoming the only institution in the State of Georgia (2 or 4 year) to earn this distinction. Ms. Maxwell retired in 2011 and has continued to work as an adjunct professor and Academic Athletic Advisor. She has had the pleasure of being a student, staff member, administrator and faculty at AMSC.
Patricia Smith, Communications Officer
Patricia Smith was employed at Atlanta Junior College in June 1975 as an Assistant Professor of Social Work, Sociology and Gerontology. She was also responsible for developing the social work courses and an Associate program that transferred to a four year college for a BSW degree. During my employment at the college I was promoted to an associate and tenured professor.
Ms. Smith also directed the Post-Secondary Readiness Enrichment Program (PREP), a Saturday Academy for middle and high school students as well as Interim director of Continuing Education. She retired after serving for 30 years and later returned as the Weekend College Coordinator. She currently the Communications Officer for AMSCRA.
Willetta Phipps, Financial Secretary & Treasurer
Ms. Phipps served as the Director of Upward Bound Programs at AMSC between 1979-2010 for Fulton and Clayton Counties. She is an avid competitive bridge player and serves as national secretary (2010-2017). She is a world-wide traveler.
Argent Sue Gibson, Parliamentarian
Dr. Barbara Small Morgan, University System of Georgia Retiree Council (USGRC) Representative
Dr. Morgan was a founding member of the college in 1974. She was the first faculty member hired to teach biology and therefore had major responsibility for establishing the first curricula for both the majors and non-majors courses. She began as an instructor and progressed in rank and responsibility over the years, ultimately earning the rank of Professor Emeritus when she retired in 2010. Prior to retiring, she served two years as the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and wrote grants and sponsored programs that brought millions of dollars to the college through funding and partnerships with NASA, NSF, CAU, the USG, etc.
Dr. Morgan continues to teach science courses at AMSC as a retiree an adjunct professor. She has served as the institution’s representative to the USGRC since 2014 and served as the principal leader and guidepost for the establishment of the AMSC Retirees Association. She is active in church, community as well as sorority activities and especially enjoys fun time with her infant grandson, Jefferson Ford Morgan.
Dr. Curtis Bailey, USGRC Alternate Representative