Nashville’s singer/songwriter Amy Speace has been heralded by Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine and The New York Times and featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” She was discovered by Judy Collins while living in New York City and cutting her teeth in the folk clubs of lower Manhattan. Collins signed Amy immediately upon seeing her to Wildflower Records in 2006 and put out two of Amy’s first records. In 2009, Amy moved to Nashville, TN and began working with Thirty Tigers record label, releasing a more critically-acclaimed album every few years. In 2020, her song “Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne” was the winner of the Americana Music Association (UK) International Song of the Year. Her newest record, “The American Dream,” is out October 18 th and proves to be her best record yet. Her records have been widely critically praised and have reached #1 on the Folk Music Charts. As well, 2013’s “How To Sleep in a Stormy Boat” was named as one of the Top 100 Records of the Last Century by Performing Songwriter Magazine. As an essayist and poet, she has been published by The New York Times, Salon.com, Performing Songwriter, No Depression, Working Mother, 2 River Review and Euonia. She has taught songwriting and stage performance for twenty years at various festivals and songwriting camps, as well as teaching Master Classes at Berklee College of Music. In 2024, she published, To The Performer: A Singer-Songwriter’s Handbook, based on her classes. She graduated Magna cum laude from Amherst College. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the Naslund-Mann School of Writing at Spalding University.

Lena Russomanno began with Cumberland as an Adjunct Instructor for Political Science in the fall of 2024. She was born and raised in Wilson County and currently resides in Goodlettsville, TN.

Lena received her Associate in Science degree from Cumberland University in 2018. She then transferred to Middle Tennessee State University in the fall of 2018 to pursue a degree in Political Science. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Spanish in 2020. In the midst of the pandemic, Lena decided to further her graduate studies at MTSU, and in the winter of 2021, she graduated with her Master of Arts Degree in International Affairs.

Lena has always been fascinated with government and politics. At both universities, she served on the Student Government Association, was a member of the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, a member of her Collegiate Political Party, and at the age of 21, she managed her
first political campaign.

After graduation, she became a Bill Clerk for the Tennessee House of Representatives serving in that capacity for the second year of the 112th General Assembly. Where she filed bills that became law, and she worked for members of various house committees. After her time at the Tennessee General Assembly, she moved across the street to work for the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office, Division of Election. She still works in this role serving the great state of Tennessee. She assists all 95 county election commissions, and voters from across the state. Now, she is so eager to be back at Cumberland University teaching students about a topic that is very near and dear to her heart.

In her spare time, Lena is very involved in her faith. She has served as a Young Life leader for Station Camp High School for 4 years now. She spends a lot of time disciplining her high school girls. When she is not at church or Young Life, you can find Lena spending time with her family and friends, at a coffee shop, concert, or a sporting event.

Dr. Joseph A. Cortez is a public safety researcher, professor, and practitioner with two decades of experience in law enforcement, emergency management, and homeland security. Before joining Cumberland University, Dr. Cortez served as a Police Lieutenant and Executive Officer in the Office of the Chief of Police for the Santa Monica Police Department and as a Special Investigator for the Los Angeles Police Department. Throughout his career, Dr. Cortez has held numerous leadership roles in operations and investigations, with a significant portion of his time dedicated to the special operations division.

Dr. Cortez is a respected figure in law enforcement education, having designed and implemented comprehensive training and education programs for police departments nationwide. As the Vice Chair of the Police Research Advancement Section at the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Dr. Cortez bridges the gap between academia and practical application, contributing to evidence-based policing practices and policy development. He has fostered collaboration between researchers and practitioners, providing input, advice, and direction on
various aspects of law enforcement policy research and evaluation.

Dr. Cortez also serves as a faculty member at the University of Southern California, where he teaches courses in Public Policy, Criminal Justice, and Homeland Security. In response to the aftermath of the Michael Brown incident, Dr. Cortez designed and taught an undergraduate course to help students understand the interplay between public policy and crime. He is also an instructor in the USC Public Safety Leadership Program, which educates senior public safety management on applying a 21st-century approach to public safety.

In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Cortez continues to impact the public safety field as a practitioner with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and through his publications in various journals and magazines. He frequently presents at national and international conferences on topics related to public safety education, evidence-based practices, and leadership.

Dr. Cortez holds a BS in Criminal Justice from Upper Iowa University and an MA in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from the College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University. He earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California, focusing on juvenile justice and diversion programs. His research has set benchmarks for policy development and the creation of advanced police officer training curricula.

Dr. Cortez has family throughout the great state of Tennessee and currently lives in the Nashville metropolitan area with his wife and three young children.

Renita Wade was raised an art lover in right here in Middle Tennessee. She has been a graphic designer for over 30 years and still has her own design consulting business. Throughout her career she worked with business as a senior graphic designer in publishing and in web design. She has over 9 years of experience teaching graphic design courses in BFA programs. Including at the Art Institute of Washington DC, Southern New Hampshire
University, at her Alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University and now Cumberland University.

She has an MA in New Media Design from Savannah College of art and Design and a BS in Mass Communications with the emphasis in Art and Advertising from MTSU. She loves to travel, and she has lived and worked in several amazing cities in the US. After covid-19 kept her from traveling to see her family who lives in the Middle Tennessee area, she decided to move back home to focus on being creative. Drawing, painting, creating, and
gardening.

Renita lives in Murfreesboro near her family in a 45-year-old ranch style home with her dog.

Carlita Harrington will be in her first year at Cumberland University in the fall of 2024. She’ll be teaching General Psychology and Human Growth & Development. She is a Florida native who’s a master’s level Clinical Mental health counselor specializing in Military Families & Culture. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from Tennessee State University and served in the United States Navy for eight years. Carlita takes a Rogerian approach to counseling also known as person-centered, which is rooted in “helping people find their own best way”. Carlita looks forward to being an agent of change through advocacy and education.

Dr. Raquel Alvarez has more than 10 years of experience in Mexico as a lead teacher for children between the ages of six and twelve. She attended the “Universidad Bancaria de Mexico” (2007-2012) and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogy. To further enrich her education skills and knowledge she obtained a Master in Education degree at the “Universidad Interamericana para el Desarrollo” (2012-2014). Continuing studies resulted on obtaining in a Doctor in Education (2019-2021) at the “Centro Universitario Tzompanco Tepeyac”. All degrees were obtained from Mexican universities. In addition, however, U.S. Equivalent Summary Certifications of these studies were earned through the ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) Institution. In 2023, a score of “outstanding” was achieved on the ETS Praxis Spanish World Language Test (5195). Dr. Alvarez demonstrates a strong vocation and enthusiasm for her profession. She enjoys contributing ideas and collaborating with her team, as well as developing strategies that enhance her student’s learning. She is currently taking English classes to refine her communication and comprehension skills in the language. A native of Mexico, she has lived the past two years in Lebanon T.N. Her passion for teaching has led her to seek the opportunity to practice teaching Spanish in this country. Outside her work she enjoys spending time with her two sons and parents. She is fond of nature, watching and playing volleyball, finding good friendships and enjoying her spiritual pursuits.

Daniel Abbott is an author, speaker, and educator from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the co-author of Wounds, a collaborative memoir written with Razel Jones, about the triumphs and the pains experienced on their collective journey toward cross-cultural navigation.

Daniel has a BA in Writing from Grand Valley State University and an MFA in Fiction from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. His work has appeared in Lit Hub, the Noctua Review, the Ginosko Literary journal, and the Owen Wister Review.

He is currently working on a project called Dancing Skeletons, an epic community saga set in his hometown of Grand Rapids.

Daniel lives and writes in Smyrna, Tennessee.