OUR LEADERSHIP

Born and raised in Red Top, South Carolina during Jim Crow laws, Parker Hamilton began her working life as a domestic worker and ended it by leading an award-winning library system that served a diverse community of almost one million residents in Montgomery County, Maryland. Hamilton attended Morgan State and South Carolina State and holds a Master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois. She has worked in school, business, military and public libraries, but spent most of her career working in Montgomery County Government, Maryland. In addition to working in the library system she served five years as an Assistant Chief Administrative for the County. Prior to retiring in 2017 she served as Director of Public Libraries for 12 years.

​

Hamilton is the mother of three and grandmother to three.  She resides in Opelika, Alabama.

Ms. Butts has over 20 years of experience in change management, public relations, strategic planning, program performance, staff development and education and training. Patricia’s career has always been about service. After serving in the United States Army, she worked with military families, in the states and abroad, at Fleet and Family Support Centers in the Hampton Roads and Commander, Navy Installations Command in Washington, D.C.

Her passion for civil rights and the history of culture in Alabama evolved into an opportunity with the National Park Service. Patricia helped promote awareness and increased visitation for Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, and the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, while in her role as a management analyst and public information officer.  Her participation in the Selma to Montgomery’s 50th Anniversary ignited a call for action.

​

Volunteerism and advocacy were natural progressions. Patricia has shared her time and talent in leadership roles with Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Alabama CASA, and now serves as the executive director with Lee County Literacy Coalition. Originally from Virginia, Patricia calls Alabama home.

Dr. Jason C. Bryant is an Associate Clinical Professor at Auburn University where he began in January 2016 and is currently serving as the director of the Truman Pierce Institute within the College of Education at Auburn. Dr. Bryant has seventeen years of K-12 experience as a former science teacher, assistant principal, and principal at both the middle and high school level in Alabama.

​

Dr. Bryant is a past president and current board member for the Southern Regional Council on Educational Administration (SRCEA) and serves on the executive board of the Alabama Association of Professors of Educational Leadership (AAPEL) as vice-president. Dr. Bryant serves on various boards in the Opelika-Auburn community, including the Opelika Chamber of Commerce and the Museum of East Alabama.

​

Dr. Bryant is a three-time graduate of Troy University earning his Bachelor of Science in Education (1997), Master of Science in Education (1999) and Education Specialist in Administration (2009). Dr. Bryant received his doctorate from Auburn University (2015) in Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Dr. Florence Holland is an educator and diversity professional with over 19 years of experience firmly grounded in areas such as diversity, inclusion belonging, underrepresented minority recruitment and retention.

​

As of June 7, 2021, Dr. Holland is the Director, Culture, Diversity and Inclusion for RSM US, a limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms. She also serves as a senior consultant for The Diversity Movement (TDM). At TDM she aids in the development of additional course work and services clients in the development of diversity strategic plans and assessments. Dr. Holland holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with a minor in psychology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), a Master’s of Arts in Education in Educational Administration (K-12) from Ball State University, an Executive MBA from Auburn University and a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration from Argosy University, Sarasota where her research focused on the persistence of underrepresented minorities at predominately white institutions. Dr. Holland is a certified mathematics middle grades teacher in Georgia where she taught middle and high school mathematics for five years. She also holds certifications in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, the Wiley Everything DiSC, and the National Coalition Building Institute. She is currently enrolled in the Cornell University Certified Diversity Professional/Advanced Practitioner program, on track for completion in November 2020. She also currently teaches in the Education and Business graduate degree programs for Southern New Hampshire University where she teaches courses in Action Research, Non-Profit Organizations, and Education Factors of Diversity.

​

 Despite all her educational pursuits and professional career her main focus always remains her passion for children and their ability to find their life’s calling and purpose through exposure and opportunity. Therefore, she is committed to giving back and serves in her community through her church (Greenwood Missionary Baptist Church) and youth ministry involvement, tutoring middle and high school students in mathematics and ACT preparation and serving as a Den Leader for Troop 170 of the Boys Scouts of America, Inc. in Tuskegee, Alabama. She also serves as the church clerk and choir director at her church. She is a board member and treasurer for Ostara, a member and officer of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. – Tuskegee Chapter, Regional Treasurer of the Southeastern Region of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.  and during the 2021-2022 school year will serve as President-Elect of the Auburn City Schools Citywide Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Her ultimate pride and joy are her three sons - Michael, Miles, Major and the family dog Shep – all of whom she parents with her amazingly supportive husband, Michael.

Sara Demoiny is an assistant professor of elementary education at Auburn University and formerly taught elementary and middle school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Since moving to Opelika five years ago, Sara has focused her attention on preparing future educators to teach from antiracist, socially just frames and has worked to learn about local Lee County history. 

​

Sara volunteered during the grand opening of EJI’s Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and thereafter, incorporated a field trip to EJI in her courses.  Sara was excited to learn about Lee County Remembrance Project, and last year joined the Education Committee. The committee planned and carried out the first annual Racial Justice High School Essay Contest.

Sara is a wife and “dog mom.”  In her spare time, Sara likes to travel, cook, hike, and grow flowers.

Bio coming soon!