SALEM ACADEMY - Key Persons
Ashley Pearson is an educator/actor/singer/director originally from Maryland now based in Winston-Salem, and is a proud Latina. Ashley began studying dance, voice, acting, and piano at age three, and has performed across Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. She studied music theatre through intensive programs at University of the Arts (Philadelphia), Elon University, and through several DC-area organizations. At Elon, she studied English Literature, Creative Writing, Theatre, and Spanish, and then served as the Associate Director of Admissions for several years, including traveling to and recruiting students from Latin America. Prior to coming to Salem, she served as the Director of College Counseling at The Burlington School. Favorite student trips she has led include Boston, Philly, Disney World, Nashville, DC, and Uganda. In 2006, she served as the director for the drama camps through YMCA, where she ran the program as well as wrote and directed the productions. She was a member of the Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre program for several years, including as their Company Manager in 2007. She regularly performs and directs throughout the triad and is so appreciative of all who support the arts. In her "spare time," she is the Chapter Advisor for Delta Upsilon at Elon, serves as a Standardized Patient for Wake Med students, and enjoys camping and kayaking with friends, traveling all over the world, and visiting her loving family.
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Member of the Officers Team
- Secretary
Chuck Blixt has been a friend to Salem Academy and College Athletics since the early 1990s. He is the father of Allison Blixt A'96 and Katie Blixt Cody A'00. Blixt served as Chair of the Salem Academy and College Board of Trustees from 2012-2014, after serving on the Board from 2001 to 2014 and on the Board of Visitors from 1997 until 2014.
He established the Blixt Family Endowed Fund for Faculty Enhancement at Salem Academy and established the Blixt Athletic Fields, which serve as home to many of Salem Academy and College's athletic teams. In addition, Blixt was instrumental in securing several annual grants from the R.J. Reynolds Community Involvement Plan for Salem Academy and College.
Blixt received a BS degree and a JD degree from the University of Illinois. He retired in 2006 from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, where he was executive vice president and general counsel. He and his wife Dianne live in Winston-Salem and have four grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Teacher
- Assistant Professor at Emory & Henry
- Program Developer for High Point University
Dr. Christopher M. Clary grew up in Denver, Colorado and earned a B.A. in English and History from the University of Colorado in 2003. Thereafter, he attended Northwestern University, earning a Ph.D. in 2010 in English literature with a specialization in Renaissance theatre and culture. He has published on topics ranging from Renaissance gender and identity to the emerging field of early modern animal studies. Previously taught at Pace University in New York and Emory & Henry College in Virginia. Following a four-year appointment as visiting assistant professor at Emory & Henry, Dr. Clary worked for one year as the study abroad program developer for High Point University where he used his previous experience teaching short-term study abroad programs to design and manage HPU's diverse international studies program. He now spends his spare time recreationally cycling, mountain biking, running, and attending live music concerts.
Job Titles:
- Retired, President Emerita / Kalamazoo College / Winston - Salem, NC
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Vice Chair
- Noted Healthcare Leader
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Physician / Educator, Buffalo, NY / Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Summer McGee began as President of Salem Academy and College on July 1, 2021. You can learn more about President McGee by viewing her biography.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Staff
- Program Director of Academic Affairs / MD Program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine
JaNae Joyner, PhD, MHA, received her PhD in Molecular Medicine in 2007 from Wake Forest University where her research focused on translational basic science, community programming, and continuing medical education (CME) for primary care physicians related to hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. After receiving her Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Winston Salem State University in 2014, Dr. Joyner transitioned to a role as Program Director of Academic Affairs/MD Program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSOM). In 2017, she continued her career journey at WFUSOM as the Director of Healthcare Education & Innovation where she held operational and curricular innovation responsibilities, achieving two national experiential learning accreditations by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Prior to joining Salem Academy and College, Dr. Joyner served as Associate Vice President and Assistant Dean for WFUSOM and Atrium Health serving areas of curriculum experience and support. Her responsibilities included senior leadership for the Center for Experiential and Applied Learning (CEAL), the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Learning (CERTL), which includes instructional design/distance education, and Coy Carpenter Library. Currently, Dr. Joyner serves as chief of staff in the President's Office at Salem Academy and College. Dr. Joyner has been honored to attend epidemiology and leadership programs at Johns Hopkins and Harvard Business School. She has two post-graduate certificates from the Kenan Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Management and Business Acumen and has completed Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training. In 2021, Dr. Joyner completed a Diversity Certificate through Atrium Health. Dr. Joyner lives in Kernersville with her husband Rich Corcoran and enjoys spending time with her morkie puppy (Rowdy) and cat (Oliver). She enjoys exercise including weight lifting, walking, and cardio dance training, the theater, and planting/growing flowers.
Ms. Anna Gilliam joined Salem Academy in July 2022 as the Art teacher. She is looking forward to sharing the journey of expression through Art. She is happy when the magic of an art form changes a person, bringing a whole new dimension to someone's life and personality.
Anna is a native of Ukraine, she just returned to the US from living in Asia, where she lived and taught Art and Design. She also lived in Azerbaijan and Ukraine, both of those countries she considers a highlight of her recent years outside of the US. Ukraine is constantly in her prayers, she hopes for their victory and sovereignty.
Anna's background is in Graphic design and Fine Art, she holds a Bachelor's degree from Bridgewater State University in MA. She also received a Masters degree in Education, from George Mason University, VA. Her favorite media are stained glass, building art pieces with recycled materials, clay construction, drawing and digital design/drawing.
Outside of work, Anna goes to church and participates in community events at Two Cities Church. She loves dogs and hopes to adopt one. Anna likes to sing and dreams of being in a musical. She loves to ski, hike and live outdoors. She likes to bike around with her husband, they discovered the trail around Salem lake and are looking to visit other parks.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Director of Board Relations
Tonya is a former attorney with strength in developing effective policies and procedures and coordinating efforts with multiple stakeholders. She brings proactive leadership with strengths in communication and collaboration. Tonya earned a J.D. with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.A. of History from Wake Forest University. She has over seventeen years of board experience.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Alumnae Board
- Director, Nominating