Advisory Committee Bios
Ashley C. Thomas, Ph.D.
Project PI
Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Dr. Ashley C. Thomas is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Alabama State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Communication from George Mason University (2017), her M.S. in International and Multicultural Education from Florida State University (2012), and her B.A. in Communication from Alabama State University (2011). Dr. Thomas is a proud third-generation ASU Hornet. She has four years of experience with retail investing and trading, using fundamental and technical analyses to trade cryptocurrency, foreign currency, and high frequency binary options. Her goal is to continue learning more about blockchain and financial technology to help increase awareness and to support continued leadership in innovation at her beloved alma mater.
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Cadavious Jones, Ph.D.
Project Co- PI
Associate Professor, Mathematics
College of Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering
Dr. Cadavious M. Jones is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Alabama State University in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department. He received his BS in 2006 and MS in 2008 from Alabama State University, and PhD in Mathematics from Auburn University in 2014. He is a contributor to the Australian Maths Trust, and member of the MASAMU international research group for mathematics. He is also Chair of the MGMBest Robotics Competition Committee, Chair of the ASU Lyceum Committee and a reviewer for several mathematics journals including the Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computing, JAMC, and the Journal of Graphic Era University, JGEU, for which he currently serves as an associate editor. His research interests include robotics, combinatorics and cryptography.
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However, the highlight of his career has been his STEM outreach activities, which ranges from mentoring individual high school students to his continuous participation, as an organizer and presenter, in math camps held all over the world connecting countries such as the United States, Australia, Wales, Japan and Africa. Much of his efforts come from a desire to see greater diversity in STEM and a joy of working with young minds whether that be in the American Black Belt or the Australian Outback.
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Nathaniel Allen, MFA
Professor & Chairperson
College of Visual Arts and Social Sciences
Department of Visual Arts
Mr. Nathaniel Allen III was born in the Mississippi Delta but grew up primarily in Michigan. He earned a BFA in Painting at Michigan State University and an MFA in Painting at the University of Mississippi.
Mr. Allen has previously worked in a number of career fields including freelance illustrator, website production assistant, commercial printer and owner/manager of his own retail store specializing in art supplies comic books, cult movie rentals and toys. He has also created commissioned portraits, mural paintings, book and magazine illustrations, logo designs, won a variety of awards in juried art exhibitions, self-published an independent comic book and written and performed original music with the band The LG’s. He comes from a talented family which includes most notably his Aunt, Denise LaSalle (“The Queen of the Blues”) and his Uncle, James “Son” Thomas, one of the last of the original Mississippi Delta blues men.
Website: www.nathanielallenart.com
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Luke Barnes
Graduate Student
Major: Accountancy
I am a graduate student as well as a football player here at ASU. I am very excited about the impact that this opportunity is going to have on the students here at ASU. I am also very new to blockchain technology and will be learning just like the other students.
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Joseph Cook
English Instructor
Department of Languages & Literature
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
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Joseph Cook is a graduate of Alabama State University with a Bachelor's in English. He received a Masters from Auburn University in Rhetoric & Composition where he mainly focused on the rhetoric of oppression resistance. While at Auburn University, Cook also taught Composition courses.
Currently, Joseph Cook is in his fourth year as a full-time Instructor of English at Alabama State University where he also serves as Chair of the Composition Committee for the university. He also taught at Columbia State Community College in Columbia, TN. where he taught Composition and Literature to approximately 120-150 students a semester. Cook has been an English Instructor for almost a decade. He has experience with cryptocurrency and looks forward to helping ASU add to its legacy of outstanding education by becoming one of the first HBCUs to teach its students about cryptocurrency.
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Sabrina L. Crowder, Ph.D.
Director, Career Services
Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Dr. Sabrina L. Crowder is the Director of Career Services at Alabama State University. She earned her Doctorate in Management in Organizational Leadership from University of Phoenix (2020), her MBA from ITT Technical Institute (2009) and her B.A. in History from The University of Alabama (2005). Dr. Crowder is a proud public servant with over six years of experience with labor market information, business services, career services and state and federal programs geared towards helping individuals acquire skills that are in-demand and provide a high wage. She also has over two years’ experience successfully interpreting civil rights, achieving a compliance score of 98% for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the Alabama Department of Corrections, which was improved to a 100% the following year. Her goal is to learn and educate individuals about new career possibilities within blockchain and financial leadership to help introduce new career opportunities via awareness and support.
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Windham Graves
Assistant Professor
Design, Digital Media and Fabrication
College of Visual and Performing Arts
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Technology evangelist/ dedicated curmudgeon, interested in how people interact through and with instantiated technologies. My free 3d printable designs are available here: https://www.thingiverse.com/windhamgraves My other work and interests can be found at WindhamGraves.com.
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Raymond Green
Assessment Specialist
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Raymond Green is a 2018 graduate of Alabama State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. He is employed at Alabama State University as an Assessment Specialist his primary responsibilities include providing support to the functions of student learning outcomes and student success to the University’s SACSCOC approved Quality Enhancement Plan.
I am excited to help bring this emerging technology to ASU! There has been much focus on the transactional aspect of blockchain technology, meaning a faster and cheaper way to transfer value across the globe. I hope my presence will bring more awareness and value to educating our students on the critical components of blockchain technology such as decentralization, cryptography, and trustlessness.
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Rolanda Horn
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Coordinator
Office Institutional Effectiveness
Dr. Rolanda Horn is a two-time graduate of Alabama State University, receiving her bachelor’s degree (2000) in Therapeutic Recreation and more recently her Doctorate degree (2019) in Educational Leadership, Policy and Law. She began her tenure several years ago at Alabama State University and serves as the Institution’s Quality Enhancement Plan Coordinator. ASU’s QEP focuses on the first year experience for freshman and highlights financial literacy as a necessary skill for student success. She is committed to ensuring that students at ASU are exposed to the capital needed to thrive in the global market.
She is a published author who has conducted research in the area of African-American women in leadership. Her experience is comprised of the elements of administration according to Gulick, as well as assessment, evaluation and compliance. As a first-generation college student, she has proven that poverty does not determine purpose, but perseverance produces the results needed to be successful in life. With a passion for education and mentorship, she is an advocate for students with marginalized identities. She strongly believes that marginalized populations not only need a mentor, but also an advocate who is willing to position them to reach their full potential.
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Timothy C. Irvin
Director, Strategic Digital Communications
Division of Marketing and Strategic Communications
Timothy C. Ervin currently serves as the Director of Strategic Digital Communications at Alabama State University. He has nearly 18 years of experience in higher education, 16 of which are at ASU. Ervin is a graduate of ASU (2001) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication from Troy University.
Under Ervin’s management, the University’s social media platform grew to a record number of more than 75,000 followers and a 35,000+ electronic mailing list. Ervin created and maintains the Hornet Happenings: Weekly Buzz, an e-newsletter, which is distributed to more than 30,000 ASU stakeholders - the first of its kind for the university.
He has implemented several social media marketing campaigns that features ASU’s alumni, faculty, staff, and academic programs. Some of the campaigns include: HornetGrads; ASU Black History Month; ASU Women’s History Month; Black Music Month; Black Business Month; From the Classroom to the Boardroom video series; Welcome Back ASU video series; Hornet Hotline Town Hall series; ASU Health & Wellness video series; ASU Gardening Webinar series; ASU President’s Tour video spotlights; National College Colors Day; #myASU Dorm Room Makeover; and Going Pro video series.
Ervin created the “25 Outstanding Alumni” Anniversary series for ASUToday Magazine. The 5-part series featured outstanding alumni in Education; Health and Medicine; Government, Military and Law; Business; and Entertainment. The series won an Award of Excellence for Publications by the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA). He also developed, implemented and was the executive producer of the first-ever Sting-a-Thon, which was a live telecast, where supporters were able to call in pledges or drop off donations. The event raised more than $100,000, featured live interviews, entertainment and activities.
In addition to his current position, he also served ASU as a Media Relations Specialist, staff writer and is currently an adjunct instructor.
He is a member of several organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; National Association of Black Journalist; Public Relations Council of Alabama; Social Media Association; and Social Media Club.
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Jessica Knox
Undergraduate Student
Major: Communications and English
Jessica Angelica Knox is from Montgomery, AL. She is a graduating senior at Alabama State University with a major in Communications and English. She enjoys things like serving her community and country, reading books, and traveling. She is in over nine extracurricular activities here on the Alabama State University campus. Though Jessica does not have much history in cryptocurrency, her ability to catch on fast and reach the youth is why she is a perfect fit for our program. A quote that Jessica loves to go by is, "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't grow you."
Kenley H. Obas, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor of Technology
Coordinator, Applied Technology Program
College of Education
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Dr. Kenley Obas is Assistant Professor of Technology at Alabama State University. In his current position, Kenley coordinates the Master of Applied Technology Program, a fully online program. Prior to his role at ASU, Kenley was an IT manager at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Kenley has conducted several seminars and presentations at EDUCAUSE and other conferences ranging from “Developing Faculty Training Systems” to “How to Develop A Mobile Strategy”. He is also the co-founder of the Kindred Technology Group, LLC, a web development firm based in Alabama. He earned a doctorate in education at the University of Alabama, and his master’s and bachelor’s are from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Kenley enjoys photography, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Sondra, and two chidren.
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Joy Randolph
Assessment Specialist
Joy is a native of Montgomery, Alabama who specializes in communications, namely graphic design, marketing and digital communication. She is a graduate of Troy University with a double degree in Print Journalism and Public Relations. She has created the visual branding for many organizations, more recently creating the logos for the ASU Blockchain & FinTech Academy and ASU Blockchain & FinTech Think Tank. Joy is also an avid follower and holder of cryptocurrency.
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Gem Richardson
Student Government Association President
Major: Biology Pre-Health
As a student leader, I am very excited to work with the ASU Blockchain Advisory Committee. It is exciting to see the evolution of Fintech and how my university can play apart in educating the world about it. Working closely with other departments on campus to further educate our student body is what I look forward to the most!
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Christine C. Thomas, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Appointed in 2017, Christine C. Thomas provides leadership and oversight of accreditation, institutional and programmatic assessment, strategic planning, institutional research, research and sponsored programs, test administration, and continuous improvement. She joined Alabama State University (ASU) in 2009 as the College of Education’s Assessment Director. In 2011 she was selected to serve as the inaugural Director of Academic Planning and Evaluation. She was appointed in Summer 2011 as the institutions SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison. Dr. Thomas has more than 20 years of combined experience in teaching, assessment and evaluation, and accreditation. She is an innovative higher education administrator who serves as an advocate for continuous improvement. Dr. Thomas holds a doctoral degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a Master of Business Administration from William Woods University, a Master of Adult Education from Troy University, and a Bachelor of Science from Alabama State University.
With more than three years' experience in retail investing and trading across various investment products including cryptocurrencies, she is eager to contribute to the success of the ASU Blockchain Think Tank project with the hope of raising awareness of blockchain and financial technology among students.
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