Advisor Leadership
State Officer Advisor Executive Committee
The State Officer Advisor Executive Committee is composed of the local advisors who support Tennessee's elected College/Postsecondary State Officers. The full committee supports officer safety, preparation, communication, travel, and leadership development throughout the year.
Purpose
Support Elected State Officers and Strengthen Advisor Voice
The State Officer Advisor Executive Committee includes the local advisors of Tennessee's elected College/Postsecondary State Officers. These advisors provide supervision, logistical support, mentoring, and advocacy while helping officers balance college, travel, leadership duties, and personal well-being.
This full committee is separate from the SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary Advisory Committee. From within the State Officer Advisor Executive Committee, three advisors are selected to represent the group on the separate Advisory Committee: one from East Tennessee, one from Middle Tennessee, and one from West Tennessee.
Guiding Philosophy
Safeguard. Guide. Empower.
Advisors safeguard, guide, and empower student leaders to represent SkillsUSA with integrity, professionalism, and pride.
Committee Structure
Two Distinct Groups With Connected Roles
The State Officer Advisor Executive Committee and the SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary Advisory Committee are separate groups. The full Executive Committee is made up of the local advisors of the elected State Officers. Only three of those advisors serve on the separate Advisory Committee.
State Officer Advisor Executive Committee
Includes all local advisors assigned to Tennessee's elected College/Postsecondary State Officers.
- Supports officer safety, travel, preparation, and professionalism.
- Coordinates with the State Director and State Officer Coaches.
- Helps officers balance academic and leadership responsibilities.
- Provides the advisor perspective on the State Officer experience.
Advisory Committee Representatives
Three members of the State Officer Advisor Executive Committee are selected to serve on the separate SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary Advisory Committee.
- One representative from East Tennessee.
- One representative from Middle Tennessee.
- One representative from West Tennessee.
- These three represent the full Executive Committee.
Statewide Advisor Voice
Three Advisors Represent the Full Executive Committee
The Advisory Committee is separate from the State Officer Advisor Executive Committee. Only three State Officer Advisors serve on it: one representative from East Tennessee, one from Middle Tennessee, and one from West Tennessee.
These three advisors carry the perspective of the full State Officer Advisor Executive Committee into Advisory Committee discussions. They gather feedback, identify shared concerns, recommend improvements, and report information back to the broader group of State Officer Advisors.
Executive Committee Responsibilities
Leadership Beyond Officer Supervision
Executive Committee members continue to fulfill the responsibilities of State Officer Advisors while also supporting broader advisor leadership and association improvement.
Represent Regional Advisors
Gather input from advisors within the region and bring common needs, concerns, ideas, and successes to statewide discussions.
Serve on the Advisory Committee
Participate in advisory discussions and provide practical insight grounded in chapter, campus, and State Officer Advisor experience.
Strengthen Communication
Help distribute accurate information, clarify expectations, and maintain consistent communication between regional advisors and the state association.
Recommend Improvements
Identify opportunities to improve officer support, advisor resources, training, travel, conferences, and statewide programming.
Support Advisor Development
Encourage professional learning, share best practices, and help newer advisors understand the responsibilities of supporting state officers.
Model Professional Leadership
Demonstrate ethics, professionalism, collaboration, and commitment to the mission of SkillsUSA in every setting.
Collaboration Framework
Clear Roles Create Stronger Student Leadership
State Director
Provides overall direction, approves programming, and ensures alignment with the SkillsUSA mission and Tennessee College/Postsecondary standards.
State Officer Coaches
Guide officer skill development, team communication, leadership confidence, and preparation through structured developmental activities.
State Officer Advisors
Ensure officer safety, attendance, travel readiness, professionalism, and communication while serving as the primary campus liaison.
State Officers
Fulfill commitments as statewide student leaders through professionalism, communication, teamwork, service, and representation.
State Officer Advisor Responsibilities
Supervision, Logistics, Mentoring, and Advocacy
State Officer Advisors serve as the supervisory link between the State Director, Coaches, colleges, and student officers. Their role is supportive and supervisory, allowing officers to remain student-led while receiving the adult guidance required for safe and successful service.
Officer Commitments
What Advisors Help Officers Maintain
Advisors should understand the commitments contained in the State Officer Application and Contract so they can provide consistent support and accountability.
Membership and Academics
Maintain active SkillsUSA membership and remain in good academic standing throughout the term.
Required Participation
Attend required trainings, conferences, meetings, and statewide leadership activities.
Professional Conduct
Demonstrate respect, responsibility, and professionalism in every environment.
Dress and Conduct Standards
Follow the SkillsUSA dress code, Code of Conduct, travel expectations, and event requirements.
Communication
Respond consistently, meet deadlines, and remain connected with the officer team, Coaches, advisors, and State Director.
Leadership Development
Participate fully in coaching, teamwork, reflection, public speaking, advocacy, and professional growth.
Safety and Travel
Student Protection Is the First Priority
Advisors are responsible for maintaining a safe, professional, and policy-compliant environment during travel, training, conferences, and all official SkillsUSA activities.
Travel Compliance
Follow SkillsUSA, Tennessee Board of Regents, and institutional travel policies and complete all required forms.
Rooming and Supervision
Maintain appropriate rooming assignments, supervision plans, curfews, and check-in procedures.
Emergency Readiness
Keep emergency contacts, medical information, itineraries, and state staff contact information accessible.
Immediate Reporting
Report safety concerns, policy violations, incidents, or student well-being concerns to the State Director immediately.
State Leadership and Skills Conference
Support Officers and Help Deliver the Conference
State Officer Advisors play a direct role in implementing SLSC. They support officers through rehearsals, lines, stage movement, delivery, scheduling, and professional presentation while also serving as conference volunteers.
Advisors may assist with the Opening Ceremony, recognition programs, Grand Awards, student movement, hospitality, or other activities aligned with their skills and interests.
Best Practices
What Effective Advisor Leadership Looks Like
Model Professionalism
Demonstrate the communication, preparation, dress, judgment, and conduct expected from student leaders.
Communicate Consistently
Maintain open communication with officers, Coaches, the State Director, campus leadership, and families when appropriate.
Check In Individually
Use one-on-one conversations to support reflection, accountability, academic balance, and personal well-being.
Maintain Adult Boundaries
Support officer development while maintaining proper supervision, confidentiality, professionalism, and appropriate adult-student boundaries.
Provide Constructive Feedback
Reinforce strengths, identify needed improvement, and help officers take ownership of their growth.
Empower Student Leadership
Guide and support without taking over responsibilities that belong to the student officer team.
Communication Protocols
Preparation Prevents Problems
Review agendas, itineraries, packing lists, attire, assignments, transportation, emergency information, and arrival expectations.
Maintain supervision, monitor schedules, support officer readiness, communicate concerns, and ensure check-in and check-out procedures.
Debrief with officers, communicate follow-up needs, document concerns, and reinforce learning and accountability.
2025–2026 Membership
State Officer Advisor Executive Committee
The educators below serve as State Officer Advisors for Tennessee's elected College/Postsecondary State Officers. Three members, representing East, Middle, and West Tennessee, also serve on the separate SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary Advisory Committee.
Dr. Sharon Couch
Director of Student Engagement and Leadership
Pellissippi State Community College
East Tennessee
- Advisory Committee Representative
- 2025–26 Outstanding Advisor of the Year
- Technical Chair – Career and Technical Educator
- Certified CliftonStrengths Coach
- srcouch@pstcc.edu
Mike Mercer
Director of SkillsUSA
Chattanooga State Community College
East Tennessee
- Technical Chair – Technical Computer Applications
- michael.mercer@chattanoogastate.edu
Cynthia Rutledge
Senior Instructor / Practicum Coordinator
Chattanooga State Community College
East Tennessee
- Technical Chair – Medical Assisting
- Cluster Chair – Health Occupations
- cynthia.rutledge@chattanoogastate.edu
Chris Anderson
Interim Work-Based Navigator / Campus Coordinator
TCAT Knoxville
Haley McCulloch
Academic and Student Support Associate
TCAT Knoxville
Janet Watson
Business Systems Technology Instructor
TCAT Oneida
- State Officer Co-Advisor
- jwatson@tcatoneida.edu
Jayne Roysden
Cosmetology Instructor
TCAT Oneida
- State Officer Co-Advisor
- jroysden@tcatoneida.edu
Shelia Anderson
Technology Foundations Instructor
TCAT Hartsville
Middle Tennessee
- Advisory Committee Representative
- Technical Chair – Opening & Closing Ceremonies
- shelia.anderson@tcathartsville.edu
Brittany Twillbeck
Student Services Counselor
TCAT Henry/Carroll
West Tennessee
Norris Washington
CAD Technology Instructor
TCAT Memphis
West Tennessee
- Technical Chair – Career Pathways Showcase
- norris.washington@tcatmemphis.edu
Ernestine Peete
Master Instructor, Barbering
TCAT Memphis
West Tennessee
- Advisory Committee Representative
- Technical Chair – Career Pathways Showcase
- National Education Team Member
- ernestine.peete@tcatmemphis.edu
Stewardship and Service
Helping Student Leaders Succeed
The role of the State Officer Advisor is one of stewardship, mentorship, and responsibility. Through the Advisor Executive Committee, regional representatives extend that service by strengthening communication, elevating advisor voice, and helping the association improve its support for student leadership.