Administration
The Dean
Cherae M. Farmer-Dixon, DDS, MSPH, FACD
Dean and Professor
School of Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6207
Email: cdixon@mmc.edu
Vice & Associate Deans
Sandra G. Harris, DDS, FACD
Executive Vice Dean
School: Medicine
Phone: 615.327.6876
Email: harriss@mmc.edu
Walter R. Owens, DDS, FACD, FICD
Associate Dean & Assistant Professor
Development and External Affairs
Office of the Dean
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6656
Email: wowens@mmc.edu
Dean’s Office Staff
Celeste Bishop Stein, MSJ
Executive Assoc./ Marketing
Office of the Dean
Vanessa Pugh
Project Coordinator
Office of the Dean
Administrative Assistant, Senior
Business and Finance
Jalilah Haqq
Administrative Assistant, Senior
Business and Finance
James E. Tyus, DDS
Chair and Professor
Restorative Dentistry
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6125
Email: jtyus@mmc.edu
Gibson Johnson, Jr., DDS
Associate Professor and Chair
Oral Diagnostic Sciences
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6147
Email: gjohnson@mmc.edu
Jacinta P. Leavell, MS, PhD
Professor and Chair
Dental Public Health
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6682
Email: jleavell@mmc.edu
Sandra G. Harris, DDS, FACD
Vice Dean and Associate Professor
Office of the Dean
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6876
Email: harriss@mmc.edu
Julie Gray, DDS
Interim Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Assistant Professor
Office of Student Affairs
School: Dentistry
Phone:615.327.5820
Email: jgray@mmc.edu
Charles W. Williams, DDS
Professor and Chair
Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6184
Email: cwilliams@mmc.edu
Office of Business & Finance
Ayodele Odiduro, JD, MBA
Associate Dean for Finance & Administration
Office of the Dean
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6408
Email: aodiduro@mmc.edu
Kortney M. Warren
Fiscal Officer
Office of the Dean
School:Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6656
Email: kwarren@mmc.edu
Office of Clinical Affairs
Shawna R. Chesser, D.D.S.
Associate Dean and Assistant Professor
Clinical Affairs
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6605
Email: schesser@mmc.edu
Machelle F. Thompson, RDH, MSPH
Assistant Dean, Clinical Affairs
Director of Compliance
Associate Professor, Dental Public health
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6605
Email: mfthompson@mmc.edu
Office of Development & External Affairs
Walter R. Owens, DDS, FACD, FICD
Associate Dean and Assistant Professor
Development and External Affairs
Office of the Dean
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6656
Email: wowens@mmc.edu
Gerald Davis II, DDS, MA
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
and Assistant Professor
Office of Academic Affairs
School: Dentistry
Phone: 615.327.6784
Email: davisg@mmc.edu
Julie Gray, DDS
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Assistant Professor
Office of Student Affairs
School: Dentistry
Phone:615.327.5820
Email: jgray@mmc.edu
The Office of Academic and Student Affairs has one priority—the academic success of each student.
While this is a priority campus-wide, we have the unique perspective and responsibility to help dental students thrive and succeed in an environment where excellence is the standard—they have accepted a challenge, the training is rigorous, and we ensure they have access to the support that is necessary to achieve.
What makes us unique is our comprehensive approach to students’ academic, professional, and social development. We accomplish this by:
- Monitoring academic performance
- Assisting with tutorial services
- Providing other academic support instruments
- Promoting research
- Supporting student organizations
- Encouraging social development
- Awarding scholarships
- Mentorship
By taking time to connect with each student, we gauge our support on a very individualized level, customized to meet his or her specific needs.