The East Knoxville and Pellissippi State Community College communities came together June 30 to honor Rosalyn Tillman, dean of the college’s Magnolia Avenue Campus from when it opened in 2000 until her retirement this spring.
Speakers described her as:
- A magnificent leader and community influencer
- One of the pillars and matriarchs of our community
- A role model
- A woman of integrity and standards, and
- An advocate.
“Dean Tillman set a standard for what she wanted this campus to be,” said Phyllis Nichols, president and CEO of Knoxville Area Urban League. “We were going to be a shining example on Magnolia. … The students were going to be proud to walk in these doors.”
Originally from Chicago, where she taught elementary and middle school, Tillman began her career at Pellissippi State as a math instructor in August 1991. She later served as program coordinator for developmental math. When Pellissippi State purchased the former Knoxville Catholic High School building on Magnolia Avenue, Tillman became the new campus’ first – and only – dean.
Longtime Magnolia Avenue Campus Dean Rosalyn Tillman, center, stands in the campus courtyard that was named in her honor at a retirement celebration June 30, 2021. Celebrating with her are, from left, her husband, Sheadrick Tillman IV; Pellissippi State President L. Anthony Wise Jr.; Tillman’s sister, Barbara Phinisee; Tillman; Tillman’s daughter Danielle Tillman; Rushton Johnson, Pellissippi State’s vice president for student affairs; Tillman’s daughter Nichole Tillman Carter; and, in front, Tillman’s grandson, Xavier Carter.
Not only did Tillman make sure her students had the same resources and opportunities as those who attended the college’s other campuses, she made sure students knew they could succeed.
Jan Sharp, now director of Pellissippi State’s Academic Support Center, reflected on what it was like to be a nontraditional, first-generation student at the Magnolia Avenue Campus in spring 2005 with four children at home.
“On my first day, Rosalyn Tillman comes in with a group of faculty members, and they’re all dressed in full regalia,” Sharp said. “They wanted to show students that if we worked hard enough, graduation was just around the corner.
“She told us where her office was and to come get her anytime we needed to talk or if we needed assistance with anything. If we couldn’t find something, she would walk us to where we needed to go. And I really looked up to her for that.”
Tillman remembered a nail technician who came to her office 30 minutes into her first class, complaining, “I can’t do this. I’m too old.” Tillman talked to her, and the student ended up going on to get her degree in education.
“That always has stayed with me because she was so devastated,” Tillman said. “We have been able to change people’s lives.”
The Rev. Renee Kesler, president and CEO of Beck Cultural Exchange Center, said Tillman “brought the light” and is a collaborator. “You know to bring people together to get it done.”
Pellissippi State President L. Anthony Wise Jr. unveiled a sign naming the Magnolia Avenue Campus courtyard in her honor.
“You sought so many ways to connect the college to the community and the community to the college,” he said. “Not only are we naming the courtyard in your honor, but we will be renovating it and making it accessible to the whole community as a teaching space and learning space. Thank you for giving us your very best.”
Tillman thanked her staff and said, “I just want to be remembered that I did some good for somebody.”
Lesli Bales-Sherrod does marketing and writing for Pellissippi State Community College.