Meet the Advisory Board
Dr. Chenita Sanks
Chenita was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia. She received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Columbus State University in 2002, Master of Education in Instructional Technology from Troy State University in 2003, Ed.S. in Elementary Education from Troy University in 2005, and an add-on in Educational Leadership from Troy University in 2006. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Mercer University in 2009.
She currently works for the Muscogee County School District as a full-time teacher and as an adjunct professor at Columbus State University. She also serves as Director of Christian Education at The House of God. She is the wife of Pastor Jamie Sanks, and a proud stepmother of four fine stepsons: Donquize, Cordarrell, Jammie, Jr., and Joshua. Her passion is educating the next generation to be Christ-ready, college-ready, and career-ready.
Dr. Larry Asplund
I am both the son and the father of a pastor; in fact, I come from a long line of Christian ministers and educators. I have been involved in pastoral ministry and teaching for 42 years, including an associate pastor, teaching pastor, senior pastor, and church planter. During that time I have also been actively engaged in the ministry of higher education for 21 years, including a full-time Bible college teacher, seminary teacher, and University Vice President. I have been married to my best friend, Lynda, for 43 years. We have two adult children, 36 and 41, and four wonderful grandsons.
I have a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Evangel University (Springfield, Missouri), M.A. in Biblical Literature, Assemblies of God Theology Seminary (Springfield, Missouri), D.Min. in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from George Fox University (Portland, Oregon) and an Ed.D. (ABD) in Educational Leadership from Liberty University (Lynchburg, Virginia). I currently serve as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Christian Life School of Theology in Columbus, Georgia. I am most recently the author of Transformers: Local Congregations as Agents of Community Transformation (Keys from the Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia)
Abraham George
Abraham George is in his sixth year of service as the Chief Information Officer at Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia. Prior to his appointment as the CIO, Mr. George served as the Executive Director of Computer Information and Networking Services of Columbus State University for four years. Abraham led the strategic initiatives in the development of technology and information system management at Columbus State. Abraham has over 25 years of experience in Information Technology and systems management. His recent technology initiatives include business process assessment to improve performance and efficiency in student customer services at Enrollment Management division, development of business intelligence (Dashboards) in the areas of admissions, financial aid, learning management systems, led successful completion of a 100% wireless campus networking project, in 2009 led the development of rubric design and implementation for online and hybrid courses to enable faculty with creation of fully online courses that resulted in the launch of sixteen degree programs online. His professional training programs include Leadership development on shared governance at Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Institute of Educational Management at Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Supercomputing training at University of Pittsburgh, Executive Leadership Institute at University System of Georgia and Computer policy leadership at Cornell University. Prior to joining Columbus State University, he was the Director of Networking Services and Academic Computing at Tuskegee University, Alabama. His professional affiliations include Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), Association of Colleges and Universities Telecommunications professionals in higher education (ACUTA), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Inc (IEEE) and Educause. Mr. George also served as the chair of leadership development committee for the USG CIO Council leadership development committee, serves on the client advisory board of Ad Astra, serves as an assistant scout master in BSA (Boy Scouts of America), served as the Vice president and President of the board of St. Joseph Catholic School from 1998-2004, is a member of the President’s Staff, is a member of University Cabinet and served as the member of Chancellor's Advisory Council for Shared Services. Most recently he led the launch of IT Innovation Center at Columbus State University. Abraham holds a BS and an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from Kerala University, India and Tuskegee University, USA respectively.
Dr. Jamie Sanks
Dr. Jamie Sanks was born in Ft. Mitchell, Alabama. He moved to Columbus, Georgia at the age of 5, where he still resides. He graduated from Hardaway High School (the best high school in Columbus, GA) in 1987 and left to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps.
After his brief stint in the Marine Corps, he worked as a welder at Worthington Cylinders until his injury in 1995. While he was injured, he met the Lord Jesus Christ who radically changed his life. God called him to the ministry and led him to New Revival Baptist Church. Dr. Sanks served this church as both Assistant Pastor and Superintendent of the Sunday school while attending Columbus State University, where he earned his Bachelors in Business Administration (in 2000) with majors in both management and marketing.
He went on to join Edgewood Baptist Church in Columbus, GA in 1999, where he was ordained a minister in 2007. During this time, he earned a Master of Science in Management from Troy University in 2002, a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Beacon University in 2004, a Master of Divinity in Organizational Leadership from Beacon University in 2005, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Beacon University in 2007.
Dr. Sanks served Beacon University as Dean of Admissions/Recruitment from June of 2004 until May 2006. He started both departments from scratch; and he achieved the highest enrollment in the history of the university. He also served Beacon as a professor of biblical studies for approximately two years.
Currently, Dr. Sanks serves as Lead Pastor for the House of God in Columbus, GA, Chairman of the Board of Advisors for Bright Destiny Learning Center, and is currently employed at Aflac in Columbus, GA. Moreover, he still finds time to give back to the youth of the community by substitute teaching for the Muscogee County School District on occasions.
He and his lovely wife (Chenita, the most beautiful woman in the world) have been married for fifteen happy years; and they have four fine sons: Donquize, Cordarrell, Jamie Jr., and Joshua.
Jimmy Blanton
Jimmy Blanton is a graduate of Mobile College in Mobile, Alabama, where he earned aBachelor of Arts with a double major in Religion and Psychology (B.A. 1975) and NewOrleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he earned a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry (M.Div.1988). He was admitted to the Bar inGeorgia in 1977. He is currently an Associational Missionary, Columbus BaptistAssociation in Columbus, Georgia and a member of the Executive Committee of theGeorgia Baptist Convention.Jimmy is an associational missionary of Columbus Baptist Association, which is home toMission Columbus Central located on Steam Mill Road in Columbus offering variousresources to meet the needs of all people through teaching life development courses,assisting those in needs with food, clothing, and household items, as well as attending tomedical needs with its partner, MercyMed. Jimmy was ordained by Providence Baptist Church, Opelika, Alabama on December 30,1973. His ministerial experience included serving as an instructor for Samford UniversityExtension for the Barbour County Center and a professor for Beacon College inColumbus Georgia. He served in overseas mission adventures in several nations. Hewas the Director of “AIM ‘96/Columbus”, Olympics Softball Venue in Columbus, GA. Heserved as pastor for various churches in Alabama and Georgia: First Baptist Church,Warner Robins, Georgia (1991-1995); Georgetown Baptist Church, Georgetown, Georgia(1981-1991); Hebron Baptist Church, Americus, Georgia (1978-1981); Shiloh BaptistChurch, Opelika, Alabama (1975-1978); and Dickinson Baptist Church, Dickinson,Alabama (1973-1975). He also served as Minister of Evangelism for Providence BaptistChurch in Opelika Alabama in 1972.Jimmy serves on various Board of Directors: Good Shepherd Medical Care, TeenAdvisors, Leadership Morality Institute, Mission Columbus Medical Clinic, God Bless Fort.Benning, and Quitman County Cancer Society. He is a member and sub-team vice chairof the Mayor’s Task Force for The Revitalization of South Columbus and a Director ofOperation Andrew for the Franklin Graham crusade in Columbus, GA. Finally, he servesas a member of the Advisory Committee for Bright Destiny Learning Center.His honors and awards include "Minister of the Year" by the Kiwanis Club “Missionary ofthe Year” by Georgia Baptist Convention State Missionaries in 1998.Jimmy has been married to Anita Liveoak for over 40 years. They have two daughters,Angela and Ashley, who are married, and three grandchildren. They are members ofGentian Baptist Church. He enjoys road and mountain biking, basketball, hiking, andspending time with his grandchildren.
Perrin Nicolson
W. PERRIN NICOLSON was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and he is a graduate of Washington & Lee University, Lexington, Virginia (B.A., 1974) and Mercer University (J.D., 1977). He was admitted to the Bar in Georgia in 1977. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Columbus Bar Association.
Perrin is an affiliate member of the Columbus Board of Realtors and the Columbus Mortgage Bankers Association, where he formerly served on its Board of Directors. He has also served on the Columbus Planning Advisory Commission, including two years as its chairman.
Perrin’s practice focuses on residential and commercial real estate transactions, the preparation of Wills, Probate, Guardianship and Conservatorship matters, and handling various other matters in the Probate Courts.
Perrin has been married to Rebecca Robinson Nicolson for 25 years, and they have four sons. They are members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, where Perrin serves on the Vestry. He enjoys teaching Sunday School to the middle school children, and he also enjoys bicycling.
Harlan Price
Harlan Price, A.I.A., N.C.A.R.B. is President and Operating Manager of Architectural Innovations Design Group, LLC, a general practice architecture firm in Columbus, GA. An Auburn University graduate (Bachelor of Architecture (’87), B.S. in Building Construction (’88), and Master of Building Construction (’01)), he moved to Columbus in 1998 after practicing in Montgomery, Alabama, and Austin, Texas. He also spent 4 years teaching at Auburn while working on his masters. He founded AIDG in 2006. He was born and raised in and around Houston Texas. In 1975 he moved to Clinton, Mississippi where he attended Junior High and High School. He is married to Michelle McLaurin Price and has a 7 year old daughter, Chloey. He is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, active with the local Boy Scouts (Committee Chairman for Pack 6 and Troop 6, Chattahoochee Council Board Member), and with Habitat for Humanity (Board Member and 2014-15 President).