Tina Garrett Earns Doctorate of Education in Professional Studies with an emphasis on higher education.
Dr. Tina Garrett has achieved a significant academic milestone by earning her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Professional Studies with an emphasis on Higher Education. Her dissertation, titled An Exploration in Differences in Learning Preferences and Motivations Across Multi-Generational Community College Students, addresses the unique challenges and opportunities posed by the presence of students from five of the seven living generations within today’s college classrooms.
“Instructors from 13 of the 15 public community colleges in Mississippi agreed to allow their students to complete a student questionnaire (MSLQ),” Dr. Garrett explained. “This statewide collaboration resulted in 974 student responses. My goal for this study was to guide instructors and administrators in meeting the needs of multi-generational students by understanding their learning preferences and motivations.”
Dr. Garrett’s educational journey began at Mississippi Delta Community College, where she earned an Associate of Arts degree. She later received both her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Master of Education degree in Community Counseling from Delta State University. She began her professional career in mental health counseling before transitioning to higher education, where she has served as an instructor for over 25 years. Since 2014, Dr. Garrett has been a dedicated psychology instructor at Holmes Community College. She currently holds two leadership positions at Holmes: Coordinator of Academic Programs for the Grenada campus and District Division Chair for Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Outside the classroom, Dr. Garrett remains actively engaged in both professional and community service. She is a member of the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Academic Officers and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Faculty Staff Association of Community Colleges. Dr. Garrett is also a life member of the Junior Auxiliary of Winona, MS, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries as Recording Secretary.
A resident of Winona, Mississippi, Dr. Garrett lives with her husband, John. They have two daughters: River, a school counselor in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and Radleigh, a student in the UMMC Dental Hygiene Program. In her rare spare time, she enjoys watching The Golden Girls and sipping a good cup of coffee. A devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Winona, she also serves as a Sunday School teacher.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Garrett shared, “I am thankful for the encouragement of my family, friends, and coworkers. This journey could not have happened without your support.”
