Kimberly Vess, Ph.D.
Get to Know Kim
Kimberly Vess, Ph.D.
Augusta University
Medical College of Georgia
Associate Dean for Learner Well-being
Associate Professor, Psychiatry & Health Behavior
Dr. Kimberly Vess currently serves as the Associate Dean for Learner Well-Being and a Professor of Psychiatry & Health Behavior at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University. Dr. Vess is passionate about students, community resilience, and diversity and inclusion as evidenced by her creation and implementation of courses in Cultural Competence and Health Disparities at two institutions. Dr. Vess currently serves as the Principal Investigator of an $800k grant for Resilient Communities East Georgia and Resilient Teens. Dr. Vess has produced an abundance of scholarly activity, resulting in the publication of 5 textbooks, numerous book chapters, and over a dozen peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Vess co-authored a textbook about Cultural Competence after noticing a shortage of information.
Additionally, she has given over 50 invited, refereed presentations and procured grant funding. Dr. Vess immerses herself in the community. She serves (or has served) on boards at the local, state, and national level, including the Resilient Georgia advisory board, Good Neighbor Ministries board in the Harrisburg neighborhood of Augusta, the University of Georgia Camp Kesem chapter, the Pink Pumpkin Party, Junior League, National Academic Advising Association, Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Ronald McDonald House.
Education
Harvard University
Management Development Certificate
University of Cincinnati
Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychology
Master’s degree in counseling
Ball State University
Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology
Melissa Bemiller, Ph.D.
Get to Know Melissa
Melissa Bemiller, Ph.D.
Augusta University
Department of Social Sciences
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology
Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Melissa moved to Orlando, FL, where she attended the University of Central Florida. After graduating with her Ph.D., she accepted her first position as an Assistant Professor at Lakeland College in Wisconsin. Next, she moved to Tennessee, where she was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus, before moving to Augusta University.
She is currently an Assistant Professor at Augusta University in the Department of Social Sciences. Her subject matter expertise is in violent crime, specifically preventing and reacting to childhood victimization. In addition, she has spent 12 years researching childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, lethality, injury prevention, and reactionary measures, including building resiliency and trauma-informed care.
She is thrilled to be in a position that allows her to integrate her passion for research, desire to help her community, and love for teaching. She is grateful for the networking opportunities in the Augusta region and connecting with so many people in the area who have the same drive that she does to make the community safer and healthier for children.
She is married to an amazing partner who is supportive of the challenges that come with her position. Together, they have two fourteen-year-old rescue cats, Whizzer and Snowflake. In their spare time, they enjoy being outdoors. One of Melissa’s favorite things is to explore new areas and wineries. Her husband loves to fish on the lake, but she enjoys reading while on the boat. They also enjoy hiking and working together on upcycling furniture, remodeling activities, and gardening projects.
Education
Julie K. Miller, MPA
Get to Know Julie
Julie K. Miller, MPA
Georgia Family Connection Partnership
Regional Manager
East Central Georgia – Region 7
Originally from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Julie relocated to Georgia and lived in several cities before settling with her family in Dearing. Julie started her career in college as a clerk on the city desk at The Atlanta Journal. When she graduated, she was promoted to reporter, something no other person had accomplished at that time. Her passion for helping communities learn, grow and implement meaningful change for children and families led her to a Master’s degree in Public Administration and her current role as Regional Manager with Georgia Family Connection Partnership. She is a certified facilitator for Bridges Out of Poverty and the Strengthening Families Programs. In addition, she is an Equity Facilitator for GaFCP in her organization’s Race, Equity, and Inclusion work. Finally, as a grant writer, she has brought in more than $10 million for the communities she serves. Julie also serves on the Board of Directors for Hope House. Her favorite motivational quote is, “Nevertheless, she persisted.” She believes perseverance and persistence toward a goal will get you where you want to go and make the change you want to see. She enjoys playing with her grandchildren
Education
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Associate Degree, Fine Arts
Georgia State University, Bachelor’s Degree, Journalism
Augusta University, Master’s Degree in Public Administration
Teresa L. Carter, M.Ed., MNLM
Get to Know Teresa
Teresa L. Carter, M.Ed., MNLM
Executive Director
CIS of Burke County-Family Connection, Inc.
Teresa L. Carter is the Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Burke County-Family Connection, Inc., located in Waynesboro, GA. A part of the organization’s mission is to “surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.” The organization is a part of the only statewide network in the country dedicated to the health and well-being of families and communities.
Before her current position, Teresa worked as a Public Health Educator at the East Central Public Health District in the Tobacco Use Prevention and Adolescent Health and Youth Development departments. She has also worked as a Community Manager with the American Cancer Society.
Teresa is also a published author, playwright and believes strongly in prevention. She believes that by working together, we WILL make a positive difference.
Education
Georgia Southern University
Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science
Troy University
Master of Education in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University
Capella University
Master of Nonprofit Management and Leadership
Daravious S. Cullars
Get to Know Daravious
Daravious S. Cullars
Hailing from Lincolnton, GA, Daravious attended Paine College and began working as a Student Tutor with the Lincoln County Community Partnership, Inc. While he was at Paine College, he was also on the Dean’s List and the President of the Philosophy Club.
Over the years, he was promoted to Supervisor of Student Tutor services and then to Program Director before becoming the Executive Director of the Lincoln County Community Partnership, Inc. In addition to helping the families and children of Lincoln County, he serves as a Senior Pastor of one church in two locations.
His favorite motivational quote is by Benjamin Elijah Mays, “Whatever you do, strive to do it so well that no man living and no man dead and no man yet to be born could do it any better.” Daravious likes this quote because it encourages a person to do EVERYTHING wholeheartedly each day.
He enjoys cooking southern food, especially grilling in the spring and summer in his free time.
Education
Paine College
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Religion
Erskine Theological Seminary