Faculty and Staff
Full Time Staff
Jessie Rosa
Director of Continuing Education and Outreach
Jessie Rosa serves as the Director of Continuing Education and Outreach at Troy University, where she connects the university with businesses, government agencies, and community partners through professional development, leadership development, and continuing education programs. She works with organizations to strengthen leadership, communication, employee engagement, team effectiveness, and customer service. Previously, Jessie served as a Professional Development Trainer at Troy University, delivering training and consulting services for public and private sector organizations. She is certified in Working Genius and has extensive experience designing and facilitating leadership and organizational development programs for supervisors, managers, and executive teams. She also brings more than 20 years of experience in collegiate athletics administration and consulting, including serving as Senior Director of Athletics at Auburn University at Montgomery, where she supported the institution's transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II membership. Jessie holds a bachelor's degree in Communications and an MBA from Auburn University at Montgomery and completed eCornell University's Diversity and Inclusion certificate. She serves as Secretary on the Board of the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama.
Carla Lymon-Howze
Client Services Coordinator
Carla Lymon-Howze serves as the Client Services Coordinator for Troy University, bringing over 26 years of experience in the continuing education field. She is highly regarded for her ability to support directors and program managers through organized, efficient, and solutions-focused processes rooted in empathy and accountability. Carla thrives in high-volume environments and is known for representing senior leadership with professionalism, precision, and strong problem-solving skills. She is deeply committed to service excellence and creating meaningful impact within the workplace. Carla holds an Associates Degree in Elementary Education and General Studies at Faulkner State Community College and continued her education at Auburn University Montgomery.
Sherri Burns
Senior Continuing Education Specialist
Sherri Burns is a Senior Continuing Education Specialist with Troy University and has served the university for 35 years. She handles the financial interface for the department, including purchasing, billing, and contract duties for all CE&O locations, while also assisting students with registration and supporting CE&O projects and tasks. Sherri holds an A.A. degree in Business Administration from Albany Junior College and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Georgia State University. She is known for her helpful attitude, strong sense of responsibility, and commitment to ensuring successful results.
Contract Professional Development Trainers
Michael Jackson
Professional Trainer
Michael Jackson is a professional trainer, organizational consultant, and motivational keynote speaker dedicated to helping people reach their full potential. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, graduating summa cum laude, and brings more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including service as a U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant and Desert Storm combat veteran. Michael has spoken to more than 80,000 people through over 10,000 speaking engagements and has developed training materials, curricula, and leadership programs for more than 20 years. As CEO of Titanium Enterprises International LLP and Continuing Education and Outreach's Professional Trainer and Organizational Consultant, he works with public and private sector organizations to inspire growth, strengthen leadership, and drive organizational success.
Ashley Jernigan
Professional Trainer
Ashley Jernigan is a professional trainer and consultant for Continuing Education and Outreach with more than 10 years of experience helping individuals grow in leadership, communication, teamwork, and other key areas. She holds a bachelor's degree in public relations from Alabama State University and an MBA from Georgia State University. Before launching JDB Hospitality, LLC, she spent nearly a decade in the hospitality industry leading marketing and public relations efforts for major River Region companies. Ashley is also a motivational keynote speaker, community leader, and board member who is passionate about helping others make their brand and leave a legacy.
Emily Cason
Professional Trainer
Emily Cason, LICSW, is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Cason Counseling and Consulting, LLC, a Montgomery, Alabama–based practice offering virtual counseling and professional training services. She provides individual and couples therapy using evidence-informed approaches tailored to support clients in managing stress, navigating life transitions, and improving overall well-being. Emily brings extensive experience in higher education and behavioral health, having served as an adjunct instructor at institutions including National University and Western New Mexico University. In addition to her clinical work, she is a sought-after speaker and trainer, delivering practical, engaging workshops on mental health, resilience, burnout prevention, and workplace wellness for diverse professional audiences.
Carol Sprunger
Professional Trainer
Carol Sprunger is a computer instructor and consultant with extensive experience in software and hardware installation, integration, and user support. She has served as an adjunct faculty member with Troy University in Dothan since 1989 and Montgomery since 2023, teaching Microsoft Office applications with a specialization in Excel. Carol spent over two decades with Dothan City Schools, retiring in 2026 after serving as a Technology Resource Specialist supporting both middle and high school campuses. Earlier in her career, she operated a successful consulting business, providing customized technology services to individuals and organizations, including the Houston County Health Department and a Fort Rucker contractor. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Sciences from Troy University and a Bachelor's degree in Consumer Affairs from Auburn University.
Kathleen McGhee
Kathleen McGehee has more than 35 years of experience in the communications field, with a career spanning both public and private sector organizations. She spent 10 years in the newspaper industry and 20 years in the communications office of a state agency, and she also has extensive teaching experience at both the high school and postsecondary levels. Kathleen holds a bachelor of arts in applied communications, a master's in secondary education, and a master's in rehabilitation counseling. As a trainer, she is passionate about helping participants communicate more effectively and confidently through practical grammar and writing tips grounded in real-world examples.
Certificate Program Instructors
Dr. Steve Ramroop
Dr. Steve Ramroop is an Associate Professor and Program Director at Troy University, where he has served since 2008, following earlier roles as Assistant Professor and Director beginning in 2002. With over two decades of academic and leadership experience, he specializes in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and surveying education. Dr. Ramroop holds a Ph.D. from the University of Otago, a Master of Science from the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Science, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of the West Indies. He is a certified Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) and has been actively involved in professional organizations, including leadership roles with the Surveying and Geomatics Educators Society. His work reflects a strong commitment to advancing geospatial education and supporting the surveying profession.
Dr. Xutong Niu
Dr. Xutong Niu is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Geospatial Informatics at Troy University, with extensive experience in geospatial science, remote sensing, and GIS research. He joined Troy University in 2008 as an Assistant Professor and has served as Associate Professor since 2014, following postdoctoral research at The Ohio State University's Mapping and GIS Lab. Dr. Niu holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Geodetic Science from The Ohio State University, as well as a Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science from Zhejiang University in China. His work has been supported by major research initiatives, including projects funded by NOAA and the U.S. Forest Service, and he has received multiple awards for excellence in GIS research. Dr. Niu is an active member of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and is committed to advancing geospatial education and innovation.
Dr. Dan Yang
Assistant Professor
Dr. Dan Yang is an Assistant Professor of Risk Management & Insurance at Troy University, where she has served on the RMI faculty since August 2022. She earned her Ph.D. in Risk Management and Insurance from the University of Georgia and an M.S. in Actuarial Science from Temple University. Dr. Yang teaches Principles of Risk Management and Insurance, Property and Casualty Insurance, and Insurance Operations. Prior to academia, she gained professional experience in public accounting with both national and international firms in China, which informs her applied focus in the classroom. Her research explores insurer operations, financial accounting, and earnings management, with an emphasis on how accounting and operating decisions shape insurer performance and transparency.
Vijaya Gurumoorthy
Mr. Vijaya Kumar Gurumoorthy is a researcher and educator in Computer Science with expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cyber-physical systems. He serves as Cybersecurity Lab Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty at Troy University, where he teaches core computing courses and develops hands-on lab environments for cybersecurity training and simulation. His academic and research work includes peer-reviewed publications in IEEE conferences and international journals, with a focus on AI-driven threat detection and secure system design, and contributions to National Science Foundation–supported initiatives. Prior to academia, he spent over a decade at Hewlett Packard in technical leadership and program management roles, specializing in system reliability and large-scale diagnostics. Mr. Gurumoorthy holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from Troy University, an MBA from ICFAI University, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics, Mathematics, and Electronics from Bangalore University.
Continuing Education and Outreach
P.O. Box 8368
Dothan, AL 36304
Telephone: 334-983-0005
Email: continuinged@troy.edu