Faculty Category: Staff

LESLIE STEELE

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Executive Director, Office of the President and Instructor
Work Email: lsteele@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1268
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 101
Category: Staff
Department: Office of the President
Degrees:
B.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
M.S.P., Cumberland University
Bio:

Leslie Steele began working at Cumberland University in 2006. She serves as Executive Director, Office of the President and works closely with the Board of Trust. Additionally, in the fall of 2018 she began teaching the Foundations of Scholarship and Learning course to incoming freshmen. She also assists with the Cumberland University Parents Association, and is the proud mother of son Ethan. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Tennessee in 1995 and her Masters of Science in Public Service Management from Cumberland in 2018. 

 

TAUREAN SMITH

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Assistant Football Coach
Work Email: tsmith@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1344
Location: Football Athletic Training Building
Category: Staff
Department: Athletic Department
Degrees:
B.S., Western Kentucky University
Bio:

Taurean Smith returns to the Cumberland staff as the defensive coordinator.

Smith spent the last five years at NCAA Division II Kentucky Wesleyan, serving as the associate head coach, defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. In his first season, he helped the Panthers to a 7-4 mark, the best record in program history, just one year after a winless season. He improved the defense in nearly every statistical category en route to the program’s first winning season in 15 years.

Smith was named Interim Head Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan this past August, posting a 3-7 mark.

During his time in Owensboro, 11 KWC players earned All-Conference accolades, including First Team recognition for defensive back Alijah McGhee, who led the Great Midwest Athletic Conference with seven pass break-ups and six interceptions, and Second Team honors for defensive end Dalan Cofer. Smith also coached G-MAC Special Teams Player of the Year Keelan Cole, who now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons at Cumberland, working primarily with the linebackers as well as helping with special teams. His linebacker trio ranked first, third and fifth in tackles for the Bulldogs in 2012, accumulating 16.0 tackles for loss with one sack, one interception and three interceptions. Connor McChurch earned Second Team All-Mid-South Conference honors for the year.

In 2013 the tandem ranked first, third and fourth in tackles with four interceptions, 11 tackles for loss, six pass breakups and 10 quarterback hurries. The group also forced five fumbles while Nathan Jernigan garnered Second Team All-MSC accolades and was also named MSC Freshman of the Year.

Smith coached one season as a graduate assistant at Bethel University, working with linebackers. Stayce Whipple garnered First Team All-Mid-South Conference accolades that year. He was in charge of breaking down opponent film and drawing scouting cards for the Wildcats, who posted an 8-3 overall record, falling in the first round of the NAIA Playoffs.

His coaching career started as a student assistant at his alma mater, Western Kentucky, assisting with linebackers and special teams. He also broke down film and assisted with daily recruiting on campus activities.

Smith played two seasons for the Hilltoppers at inside linebacker for coach David Elson. He played in 24 career games at WKU, compiling 88 tackles as a senior with 5.5 tackles for loss as well as one interception and two forced fumbles. He recorded double-digit tackles in three straight contests, including 13 at Navy, and returned an interception 16 yards against South Florida. He ended his career with 11 tackles against Arkansas State.

Smith posted 49 stops as a junior with one fumble recovery and one pass breakup, including four tackles and a pass breakup versus Virginia Tech. He recorded a team-best 10 stops with a sack against Ball State and notched eight tackles versus Florida International.

He played two seasons at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, earning Male Student-Athlete of the Year honors as a sophomore. He earned First Team All-Region and All-Minnesota Community College Conference honors as a sophomore, registering 118 total tackles, eighth best in the nation, along with seven interceptions and eight tackles for loss.

He recorded 25 tackles against Ridgewater Community College and was credited with 18 stops and two interceptions versus Vermillion Community College. Smith paced the Spartans with 102 tackles along with three forced fumbles as a freshman, garnering Second Team All-MCCC accolades.

He was a three-year letterwinner at Perry High School in Perry, Ga., twice earning the Coaches’ Award. He posted 88 tackles as a senior, helping the Panthers play their first-ever home playoff game, and registered 82 stops with three sacks and two fumble recoveries as a junior. Smith made 64 tackles as a sophomore and also earned three letters in basketball.

Smith received his bachelor’s in Physical Education from Western Kentucky in 2011.

 

ANNAH SMITH

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Assistant Director of Enrollment Services
Work Email: asmith@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 257-8273
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 106C
Category: Staff
Department: Office of Enrollment, Admissions, and Student Financial Services
Degrees:
B.A., Freed-Hardeman University
M.B.A., Cumberland University
Bio:

Annah Smith is a Lebanon local who graduated from Friendship Christian School in 2016, after attending there since first grade. From there she went to Freed-Hardeman University where she graduated summa cum laude in May of 2020. She obtained two degrees: a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations, and a B.A. in Photography.

In August 2023, she graduated from Cumberland University with her Masters in Business Administration.

Her love for communicating with young people and their families was fostered during her internship at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Seacrest Studios during the summer of 2019. She came to CU after nearly a year of working as a photographer for LifeTouch school portraits.

LORRAINE (LORI) SCHOCK

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Associate Registrar
Work Email: lschock@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1227
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 104A
Category: Staff
Department: Office of Academic Affairs
Degrees:
A.C.Ed., Moody Bible Institute
B.A., Judson University
Bio:

Lori Schock grew up in the Southeastern portion of Michigan.  She attended Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, IL, where she earned a degree in Christian Education/Music.  She continued to Judson University in Elgin, IL, where she received a degree in Elementary Education.  Before employment with Cumberland in 2016, she was employed as a classroom teacher with Lebanon Special School District and McClain Christian Academy.

DANNIELLE SCOTT

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Advancement Coordinator
Work Email: dscott@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1269
Location: Catron Alumni House
Category: Staff
Department: Office of Advancement
Bio:

Mrs. Scott joined Cumberland University December 2020. 

Prior to joining the university, she worked at Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency as a Nutrition and Payment Specialist. 

She is married to her high school sweetheart Thomas Scott and together they have two children, Calie and Katelyn. And one dog, Jack.

 

WILLIAM (RUSTY) RICHARDSON

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Executive Director of Community Relations and External Affairs, Title IX Coordinator, and Instructor
Work Email: rrichardson@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1257
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 101C
Category: Staff
Department: Office of Academic Affairs
Degrees:
B.S., University of Tampa
M.S.P., Cumberland University
M.B.A., Cumberland University
Bio:

Rusty has been at Cumberland University since November 2011 serving as the Vice President for Advancement and later in his current role as Executive Director of Community Relations & External Affairs. He is a seasoned veteran with almost 40 years of experience working in the non-profit sector.

In his current role, Rusty is responsible for the many of the major events held by Cumberland such as the Phoenix Ball, Notes for Nurses, and Founders’ Day celebration. He also serves as the representative for Cumberland University at many local events in the community. 

Prior to coming to Cumberland, Rusty served as president of the Phi Delta Theta Foundation headquartered in Oxford, Ohio.

Rusty is active with the Lebanon Rotary Club having held the offices of President and Treasurer. He and his wife Kathy belong to the First United Methodist Church. He is an avid racquetball player and fisherman. 

REGGIE BLAIR

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Vice President for Enrollment Services
Work Email: rblair@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1231
Location: Memorial Hall, Room 106B
Category: Staff
Department: Office of Enrollment, Admissions, and Student Financial Services
Degrees:
B.S. Lipscomb University
M.S. Lipscomb University
Bio:

Reggie Blair began his professional career working for Dell Technologies as an Inside Accounts & Sales Team Manager. In that role, he managed and developed several accounts for higher education, state and local government, and K-12 organizations. Additionally, he oversaw training efforts for newly hired sales representatives, while also coaching tenured representatives for specialty roles in corporate account development. While he enjoyed the opportunity there for many years, he felt a calling to pursue a role in higher education.

In 2008, Blair decided to make a vocational change by returning to his alma mater and starting a career in the admissions office. Blair worked in the admissions office at Lipscomb University for 13 years, ultimately culminating his career as Sr. Director of Admissions. During his time in the office of admissions, he served in a variety of capacities, including training and oversight of recruitment activities for admissions counselors, managing and directing graduate recruitment efforts for the School of Computing, operating as principal representative for local community college partnerships while increasing the recruitment and retention of prospective transfer students, admissions athletic liaison, and serving as the primary institutional contact for K-12 schools within the National Christian School Association (NCSA).

Blair joined Cumberland University as Vice President for Enrollment Services in the fall of 2021. Under his leadership, Cumberland achieved the highest overall enrollment to date of 3,072 students in the fall of 2023. He is also actively involved in several community organizations, including 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce (former board member), Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Blair holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Information Security from Lipscomb University, and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.

NICHOLAS REYNOLDS

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IT Support Services Manager
Work Email: nreynolds@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 453-6379
Location: Labry Hall
Category: Staff
Department: Office of Campus/Food/Housing/Security, Office of Information Technology
Degrees:
B.S., Cumberland University

LIBBY OGUIN

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Director of Student Life
Work Email: loguin@cumberland.edu
Work Phone: (615) 547-1390
Location: Labry Hall, Room 126
Category: Staff
Department: Office of Campus/Food/Housing/Security
Degrees:
B.S., Cumberland University
M.S., Cumberland University
Bio:

Originally from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Libby O’Guin has served in the Student Life arena for the university since 1999. While attending Cumberland University as an undergraduate, Libby received academic and athletic scholarships and served as a member of the CU Softball team. Other organizations she joined included Pi Gamma Mu, Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Chi, Psychology Club, President’s Association of Students, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Athletic Honors included All Conference, All Region, and MVP for 1997. Libby also received the Miss Cumberland Award in 1997.

The area of Student Life continues to be her passion along with mentoring students. She is direct advisor to Student Government Association, Best Buddies, and the Student Programming Board. She has also served as a TN Achieves Student Mentor since 2018. Libby also spends much of her time helping at her local church with events for the community, teaching children’s classes, and helping with the middle and high school age youth. She enjoys partnering the CU students with local community service agencies and also serves as a member of the Wilson County Health Council. Libby enjoys volunteering with MJ Little League, the Down Syndrome Association of Middle TN, and Best Buddies while regularly donating to United Way and the Community Help Center. She has been married to Justin Thomas O’Guin since 2004 and has one daughter, Abby, born in 2005 and one son, Griffin, born in 2010.

 

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