Meet the 2025-2026 Fellows

Joy Birabwa

Early Childhood Education Faculty Fellow

Joy was born and raised in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, before she and her family made North Carolina their home. She values the opportunities the state offers and is excited to be part of the Faculty Fellows Program as she looks forward to continued growth and connection. Her deep appreciation for nature, everyday beauty, and authentic human connection keeps her grounded and guides her to live with intention, respect, and faith.

Her academic journey began in Uganda and culminated with a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from UNC Greensboro, where she explored human development, learning, and relationships across the lifespan. Professionally, she has worked across various sectors, including international development agencies, gaining insight into community engagement and education in both formal and informal settings. As an educator, Joy is passionate about creating engaging, inclusive, and practical learning environments where every student feels seen and valued. She joined the program to strengthen her teaching skills and expand her professional network.

In her free time, Joy enjoys walking outdoors, especially when surrounded by greenery. She never tires of eating plantain—particularly when it’s cooked just right—and brings curiosity, purpose, and a commitment to making a positive impact into every space she enters.

Scott Brannon

Entertainment Technology Faculty Fellow

Scott Brannan is a live sound engineer with nearly 30 years of experience spanning touring, corporate events, houses of worship, and theme park entertainment. He currently serves as the monitor engineer for jazz artist Boney James and previously worked at Walt Disney World’s America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT as a crew chief, production planner, and front-of-house engineer.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from UNC Greensboro and an MBA from Purdue Global. Passionate about sharing real-world expertise with students, Scott emphasizes high standards for himself and those he mentors. Outside of his professional life, he is a husband, father, and dog lover who enjoys biking, weight training, and staying active.

Victoria Cox

English Faculty Fellow

Victoria Cox, originally from Asheboro, North Carolina, now resides in Winston-Salem. She recently got married and is in the process of changing her legal name. Victoria began her academic journey at Randolph Community College, where she earned an Associate in Arts (College Transfer), before completing a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Creative Writing at UNC Greensboro. She later earned a Master of Arts in English with an emphasis in Multicultural and Transnational Literatures from East Carolina University.

Her professional experience includes work in publishing and marketing with military writers at a small independent press, as well as content writing through an internship with UNCG’s School of Health and Human Sciences. She briefly taught high school before turning her focus to higher education, teaching English as a Second Language at Randolph Community College and, currently, English at Forsyth Technical Community College. Through the Faculty Fellows Program, Victoria hopes to expand her teaching experience, explore instructional design, and build a broad skill set for the future.

Passionate about languages and cultures, Victoria is currently learning Russian while also refreshing her Spanish skills.

Hope McCoy

Human Services Technology Faculty Fellow

Hope McCoy brings a strong professional background in Human Resources to her current work as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina. She earned her Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and is passionate about continuing to provide mental health therapy, mentoring and teaching future human services professionals, and serving as a thought leader at the intersection of mental health and faith.

She values the opportunity the Faculty Fellows Program provides to help shape and invest in the next generation of human services professionals. Outside of her professional role, Hope is the proud mother of an aspiring legal professional, was raised in a small North Carolina town, and enjoys line dancing in her free time.

Brittney Stone-Keezer

English Faculty Fellow

Brittney (she/her) was born and raised in North Carolina and has called the state home all her life. A lifelong reader, she grew up visiting the Greensboro Public Library with her mother and developed an early love for books and research thanks to several inspiring English teachers in high school. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in English Education with a minor in Sociology from Appalachian State University, where she also discovered her love for hiking, running, and exploring the mountains of Boone.

After graduation, Brittney spent five years teaching 8th grade English Language Arts in Mt. Gilead, NC, where she met her husband, Noah. She later moved to Greensboro and has spent the last six years teaching 7th grade ELA at a magnet school in Guilford County. During this time, she deepened her passion for student growth and storytelling, while also earning a Master of Arts in English Literature from UNC Greensboro in May.

To further expand her skills and experience, Brittney joined the Faculty Fellows Program at GTCC. She hopes to learn new strategies for reaching diverse learners and gain valuable experience in higher education as she works toward her goal of becoming a professor. With plans to eventually pursue a doctorate, Brittney is committed to being the kind of professor who engages and supports her students while maintaining academic rigor. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, watching horror movies, and reading mystery novels.

Tiana Wilder

English Faculty Fellow

Tiana grew up in Sumter, South Carolina, in a family of educators who inspired her passion for learning and literature from an early age. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Claflin University before moving to Greensboro to pursue graduate studies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. During her time at NC A\&T, she participated in the University of Iowa’s International Writer’s Program and presented at UNC Greensboro’s CACE Conference. In 2023, she completed her Master of Arts in English and African American Literature.

With the goal of becoming a full-time professor, Tiana joined the Faculty Fellows Program to gain hands-on teaching experience in higher education and to learn from GTCC’s experienced faculty. She is committed to being a positive influence on her students by equipping them with strong English skills for any career path and by serving as a mentor who provides encouragement and support.

Outside the classroom, Tiana enjoys reading, crocheting, and watching movies. Her bucket list includes traveling to Japan, attending a Broadway show in New York City, and meeting Guy Fieri.

Brianna Yancey

English Faculty Fellow

Originally from Elon, North Carolina, Brianna is a poet and lecturer at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree in English and Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from Queens University of Charlotte, and a Master’s degree in English and African American Literature from NC A\&T, completed in 2023.

Brianna’s aspirations include publishing both poetry and children’s books, securing a full-time role as a creative writing faculty member, and establishing writing retreats and residencies for Black women poets in North Carolina. She joined the Faculty Fellows Program to collaborate with seasoned faculty and to gain new perspectives on teaching. This experience allows her to engage with a diverse student body while further refining her teaching practices to foster impactful learning. Her mission is to help students view English and Creative Writing as vital tools for communication, self-expression, and critical thinking.

In addition to her teaching and writing, Brianna is a visual artist who enjoys working with paint and soft pastels. She is also an amateur baker and a passionate music enthusiast.

Eliana Franklin

English Faculty Fellow

Originally from Charlotte, Eliana Franklin (she/her) recently earned her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a focus on poetry from UNC Greensboro. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing and a minor in Environmental Studies from UNC Asheville.

Eliana has taught writing and other subjects across a wide range of ages and levels, from K–12 to undergraduate and graduate students. She aspires to teach English full-time at the college level while also publishing a poetry collection. Her current work centers on a manuscript exploring the relationship between people and the environment, particularly within the mountains and Piedmont of North Carolina.

Through the Faculty Fellows program, Eliana hopes to expand her teaching experience at the community college level as she works toward her long-term career goals. Outside the classroom, she enjoys hiking and mountain biking in Greensboro and throughout North Carolina’s state parks.

Maram Galal-Bryant

Business Faculty Fellow Maram Galal-Bryant, MBA, is a seasoned Human Resources leader with more than a decade of experience shaping transformative talent strategies across global and diverse organizations. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, and born in Fresno, California, she grew up moving across the U.S. as her father pursued his doctorate at Purdue University. She later earned both her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where her interest in human behavior and organizational development sparked a purpose-driven HR career.

Her professional journey includes leadership roles in HR business partnership, talent lifecycle management, DEI strategy, employee relations, and global change initiatives. Maram’s work consistently centers on aligning people strategies with business goals, fostering inclusive workplaces, and enhancing employee engagement. With a career goal of continuing to evolve as a strategic HR leader, she is committed to cultivating high-impact cultures, building organizational resilience, and mentoring the next generation of HR professionals. Her passion for talent development inspired her to join the Faculty Fellows Program as an adjunct professor, where she hopes to bridge academic knowledge with real-world HR application while gaining fresh perspectives to further refine her leadership approach.

Taylor Gentry

English Faculty Fellow Taylor Gentry, originally from Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, holds a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During her graduate studies, she developed a strong interest in Medieval Literature and disability studies, which, combined with her personal and professional experiences, shaped her dedication to creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments.

Her long-term career goal is to secure a tenure-track faculty position and continue research in her field. Through the Faculty Fellows Program, Taylor seeks to strengthen her pedagogical skills, expand her understanding of equity and inclusion in higher education, and engage in meaningful collaboration with colleagues who share a passion for academic excellence.

Beyond academia, Taylor is an avid board game enthusiast who enjoys collecting and playing strategy-based games. She values how these games foster critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration—qualities she intentionally weaves into her teaching and scholarship.

Jocelyn Gasque

Business Faculty Fellow Jocelyn Gasque brings more than 20 years of experience in accounting, finance, and talent acquisition to her role as an Adjunct Instructor in Business through GTCC’s Faculty Fellows Program. She is passionate about helping students connect academic concepts to real-world applications and future career opportunities. A North Carolina native, Jocelyn grew up in Cary and has lived in High Point for over two decades. She earned her B.S. in Accounting from UNC Greensboro, completed graduate coursework in accounting, and holds an MBA from Wake Forest University.

Her professional background includes serving as a Corporate Controller, Public Accountant, and Senior Recruiter. She currently works as a Senior Recruiting Manager and Vice President at Robert Half Finance and Accounting in Greensboro, where she partners with organizations to identify and place top talent in accounting, finance, and human resources roles, while also mentoring job seekers.

As the parent of two college graduates—both of whom began their journey at GTCC—Jocelyn understands the value of accessible, practical education. Her teaching style blends technical knowledge with industry insight to build student confidence and prepare them for today’s dynamic business environment. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, cooking for family and friends, and spending time outdoors with her Aussiedoodle, Benjamin Freedom Franklin—born on the Fourth of July and always ready for adventure.

Margo Ford Crosby

Faculty Fellow

Margo Ford Crosby is a passionate leader in early care and learning with 18 years of experience dedicated to advancing early childhood education as the foundation for lifelong success. She is the founder and owner of TLC Consulting LLC, where she creates professional learning opportunities for early care and learning champions. With more than 15 years of combined experience in the nonprofit sector, public schools, community colleges, and early intervention services, she has focused her work on Early Literacy, Family Engagement, and Holistic Equity. A proud graduate of Winston-Salem State University with a degree in Birth–Kindergarten Education and a concentration in Business Administration, Margo has been recognized for her excellence in teaching, including twice being nominated for School Site Teacher of the Year and serving as a school-level finalist in 2020. She went on to earn a master’s in Early Childhood Leadership and Administration from UNC Greensboro, where she also developed a deep passion for policy and advocacy.

Margo is the author of Mirrors Up, a children’s book that promotes self-awareness, affirmations, and cultural humility. She enjoys supporting the success of young learners while strengthening the workforce that educates them. As a Faculty Fellow, she hopes to sharpen her skills as a scholar-practitioner and build pathways for future educators, all while continuing to publish, keynote, and advocate for children, families, and teachers. Outside of her professional work, Margo finds peace in nature walks, chooses a yearly “POWER word” to stay grounded—her 2025 word is FOCUS—and proudly serves as her family’s cheerleader-in-chief.