Spotlight: Two Roane State alumni awarded doctorates in same semester

Two Roane State Community College alumni completed their doctorates during the fall semester, and their dissertations have been added to the Roane State Library.

Dr. Scott Sills earned a Ph.D. from the University of Westminster in London, England, and Dr. Chester Goad received his doctorate in educational leadership (with an emphasis in special education) from the University of the Cumberlands.

Dr. Sills is a reproductive endocrinologist in private practice in Newport Beach, Calif. His dissertation is titled “An evidence-based policy for the provision of subsidized fertility treatment in California: Integration of array comparative genomic hybridization with IVF and mandatory single embryo transfer to lower gestation and preterm birth rates.”

Dr. Goad, director of disability services at Tennessee Tech University, conducted his doctoral research on the topic “A study of service delivery models and leadership in postsecondary disability programs in Tennessee.”

Dr. Sills is a graduate of Harriman High School and finished his associate degree at Roane State in 1985. He won the college’s President’s Award, its highest student honor. After Roane State, Dr. Sills continued his undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University and earned a medical degree from the University of Tennessee in 1992. He received Roane State’s Outstanding Alumnus award in 2004.

“Having all the resources of Roane State near where I grew up was a fantastic opportunity,” Dr. Sills said. “It was the best first step I could have possibly taken before moving on to a four-year institution. I doubt that I would’ve been ready for academic work in a large university setting right after high school. So, those two years at Roane State were critical in preparing me for everything that followed–finishing my bachelor’s degree, medical school, and graduate studies.”

Dr. Goad, a graduate of Oneida High School, completed his education at Roane State in 1994. He served as student government president, and at times, worked three jobs while pursuing his education. Dr. Goad received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Tennessee Tech, where he also earned a master’s in instructional leadership.

Roane State’s 2013 outstanding alumnus, Dr. Goad is a leader in disability services. He has served as president of the Tennessee Association on Higher Education and Disability (TNAHEAD) and as vice president of the Tennessee Dyslexia Association.

“Roane State was the right place at the right time for me in my life,” Dr. Goad said. “The professors challenged me and encouraged a strong academic work ethic. They encouraged me to ask questions not only about what life is, but what it could be. I believe that’s one of the reasons I never stopped pursuing education. I’m always asking questions like why and what if? I want to encourage other young people to do the same thing. Students don’t have to have the title doctor to ask questions, but it may be that if they keep asking those big questions, they may just end up an expert in their field.”

Submitted by Roane State Community College.