Patti B. Lankford

Limestone University

Director of Human Resources

Born in Salisbury, NC, Patti was brought up in a Christian home, where her father served as a Baptist preacher. At the age of 3, her family moved to Shelby, NC where she was raised. After graduating from Crest High School, she took a summer job at a local bank, which led to a successful 14-year career in banking. Following her time in banking, she transitioned into personnel (now known as HR) and payroll at the Cherokee County School System, where she further developed her passion for human resources.

In 2021, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Limestone University, along with a certificate in Employee Relations Law. Patti has over 13 years’ experience in HR and has been with Limestone for 11 years. Now serving as Director of Human Resources, Patti focuses on aligning HR practices with organizational goals and employee engagement.

Patti enjoys working with people, and making sure the workplace is a positive environment for everyone. Her focus is on employee engagement and creating HR strategies that align with the demonstrating her commitment to a safe and equitable workplace. Limestone’s big-picture goals. She also serves on the Title IX and Emergency Response teams.

Outside of work, Patti enjoys spending time with family and her husband, finding balance and inspiration in her personal life. She’s always excited to connect with other professionals to share ideas and explore new opportunities for Limestone.

Miss Tawana L. Scott

Director of Equity & Inclusion Title IX Coordinator

Tawana LaToya Scott is the baby girl of Mrs. Cora Scott and the late Mr. J. C. Scott.  She has four other siblings, all of whom she adores and is thankful for. She lives in the upstate of South Carolina and graduated from Spartanburg County schools. Upon her completion of high school, she completed post-secondary education at Greenville Technical College with an Associate of Science degree in Applied Sciences with an emphasis in Human Services, a bachelor’s degree in Experimental Psychology at the University of South Carolina Upstate, Graduate course work in Professional Counseling at Liberty University, and most recently, she completed a master’s degree in social work from Limestone University. She is a lifelong learner and finds great joy in education and training for the marketplace while embracing the principles from the Kingdom of God. She serves in her ministry at her church, Restoration Church of Prayer, as an ordained Elder. Miss. Scott has a great passion for people and with people. She has life-lived experiences as a person with a God-given assignment as an individual with a disability, yet she has not lived one day disabled. She practices a person-first approach that helps her to see the person first through discernment and care before there is an attempt to judge or cater to any biases, prejudices, or stereotypes. She believes in conducting herself in such a way which allows her to earn the trust of others, rather than feeling like it is automatically given. Her faith and faith walk are the essence of her existence.

Miss Scott is a testament to God’s grace and a display of His forgiveness. In Miss. Scott’s current positions as the Director of Equity and Inclusion and the Title IX Coordinator, she ensures the process of care, protection, and safety on the campus is paramount. Tawana LaToya does not stand before you perfect; however, she does stand before you as a forgiven individual, broken before the Lord, and willing to extend grace to others as it was extended to her. As a result, she has served the State of South Carolina in a Governor appointed position with the South Carolina Statewide Independent Living Counsel for individuals with disabilities, serve on the Board of Directors for Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina, invited to sit on other boards and committees of various forums throughout the state. Miss. Scott was chosen to travel with Liberty University LU Send Now Team for missionary work with California wildfires. She received the Human Rights award presented by SC Counseling Association, Nominee for Social Work Student of the Year, Special Recognition from United States Representative, Congressman Ralph Norman, and other recognitions from state and local officials. She has been entrusted to work with such diverse populations and thereby she considers every opportunity as an opportunity to meet her audience where they are without creating an environment for others to perform, but only to be their true authentic self. In her role at Limestone, Miss Scott serves in various capacities through Equity and Inclusion. Her primary role is to complement the mission of Limestone by helping to bring fairness, equality, inclusion, and exercise a community of belonging and care, while also exercising perpetuating Limestone’s essence of LU Nation.

Michelle Phillips-Meek, PhD

Dean, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Michelle Phillips-Meek is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at LU. After earning a bachelor's in psychology in her home state of New Jersey, she earned a master's and PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina. She first started at Limestone in 2013 as an Assistant Professor of Psychology. She has assumed many other roles since then including program coordinator, department chair, and Director of the Women in Technology and Science program.

Josh Martin, LPC

Director of Counseling and Mental Health Services

Josh Martin has served in a variety of mental health counseling roles. Most recently, he was one of the school-based clinical counselors for ReGenesis Healthcare in Spartanburg School District 6, primarily located at the Dorman High School Freshman Campus. Additionally, he has worked at the Cherokee County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Envision Counseling Services in Spartanburg. Before beginning his counseling career, Martin worked as a shift supervisor at Hamrick Mills and as an account manager for Red Bull. While at Hamrick Mills, though, he said that he decided to follow his calling to help people become their best selves. Martin received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Limestone in 2015 and his master’s in clinical mental health from Liberty University in 2020.

Sara Neil-Spencer

Regional Workforce Advisor
S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce

Josh Martin is the Director of Counseling and Mental Health Services at Limestone University. He has served in a variety of mental health counseling roles. Most recently, he was one of the school-based clinical counselors for ReGenesis Healthcare in Spartanburg School District 6, primarily located at the Dorman High School Freshman Campus. Additionally, he has worked at the Cherokee County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Envision Counseling Services in Spartanburg. Before beginning his counseling career, Martin worked as a shift supervisor at Hamrick Mills and as an account manager for Red Bull. While at Hamrick Mills, though, he said that he decided to follow his calling to help people become their best selves. Martin received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Limestone in 2015 and his master’s in clinical mental health from Liberty University in 2020.