Meet the Administrative Staff
Name: Allen Barger, Ed.D
Position: Executive Director of University Studies
Education: Bachelors in Spanish and Resort Recreation & Tourism Management from Slippery Rock
University, Master of Arts in College Student Personnel, and Doctorate of Education
from Trevecca Nazarene University
Location: Ellington 206
Phone: (931) 221-1021
E-mail: bargera@apsu.edu
Dr. Allen Barger has worked at Austin Peay since July of 2004. He started as an Academic & Career Advisor, has worked as a Student Success Coordinator, and is now the Executive Director of University Studies. Additionally, he has been an adjunct instructor for APSU 1000 and the Leadership Department. He has also studied in Ecuador, Mexico, and Germany.
Name: Ricarlos Brantley
Position: Instructor of Culinary Arts
Education: Associates in Arts in Culinary Arts and Bachelors of Science in Culinary management
from the Art Institute of Tennessee-Nashville
Location: Fort Campbell Education Center 1207
Phone: (931) 221-1429
E-mail: brantleyr@apsu.edu
Chef Ricarlos Brantley was hired for the 3 year permanent instructor position effective January 2, 2025, after being an adjunct instructor for more than 6 months in 2024. He instructed Garde Manger and Nutrition in 2018-19 as an adjunct instructor and now the Interim Director of Culinary Arts. He Is a small catering business owner "Chef Brantley's Catering". He has worked several jobs in the Clarksville, TN area to include line cook at Fox's BBQ, Head Chef at Yolo's Soul Food, and General Manager at Trane for Five Star.
Name: Ryan Combs, Ed.D
Position: Director of New Student Programs & Initiatives
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with a minor in Religious Studies from Belmont
University, Master of Sport Administration from Belmont University, and Doctor of
Education in Educational Leadership from Austin Peay State University
Location: Miller 205
Phone: (931) 221-6429
E-mail: combsr@apsu.edu
Dr. Ryan Combs is the current Director of New Student Programs & Initiatives at Austin Peay State University. In this role, he oversees programs and initiatives that are targeted at offering opportunities, resources, and experiences that will positively impact our new students in and outside of the classroom. These programs and initiatives include University Success courses, the peer leader program, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors society for first-year academic success, and the PASS 0900 academic recovery course. Ryan has worked at APSU since the summer of 2016. Previous to his time in the University College, he has served in the athletics department and the Office for Student Success. In the athletics department, Ryan served as the Director of Student-Athlete Development and oversaw the academic success of APSU baseball, volleyball, women’s basketball, and soccer student-athletes. In the Office for Student Success, Ryan oversaw the APSU 1000 and Peer Leader program. Originally from Hazard, Kentucky, Ryan received his Bachelors and Masters from Belmont University, and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at APSU.
Name: Shawn Harding, Ed.D
Position: Director
Education: Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in International Relations
from Austin Peay State University, Master of Professional Services with a concentration
in Strategic Leadership from Austin Peay State University, and Doctor of Education
in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University
Location: Ellington 209
Phone: (931) 221-7123
E-mail: hardings@apsu.edu
Dr. Shawn Harding is currently a Director in University Studies. He oversees the Austin Peay Experience which includes the 4-year Graduation Guarantee and the Austin Peay Experience Grant. He also is a part of the curriculum design for UNIV 4995 - University Studies Capstone. Dr. Harding currently teaches UNIV 4995, and in the past has taught ENGL 2330 - Enhanced Lab, PASS 0900, and UNIV 1000 (formerly known as APSU 1000). Dr. Harding has studied abroad in Poland at Jaigellonian University. He loves his job and loves to help the students of Austin Peay State University achieve their dreams.
Name: Charli Beth Hill
Position: New Student Programs Professional
Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Austin Peay State University, Master's
in Higher Education from Western Kentucky University
Location: Ellington 207
Phone: (931) 221-7532
E-mail: hillcb@apsu.edu
Charli Beth Hill is the New Student Programs Professional. Charli Beth started working at Austin Peay State University in July 2011. She found a love for higher education while working on campus at APSU as a student. Charli Beth has taught several different classes as an adjunct instructor: APSU 1000 (now UNIV 1000), APSU 4010 (now UNIV 4995), PASS 0900, UNIV 1010 and UNIV 3020. Her greatest accomplishment to date is being “mama” to Jack.
Name: Delaney Atkins
Position: Student Success Professional of University Studies
Education: Bachelors of Science in English and minor in Professional Writing, Masters of Arts
in English
Location: Ellington 211
Phone: (931) 221-7530
E-mail: atkinsd@apsu.edu
Delaney Atkins is the Student Success Professional for University Studies. Delaney started working at Austin Peay State University in August 2020. She found a love for higher education while working on campus at APSU as a student. Delaney has taught several different classes as an adjunct instructor: Honors 300A, Honors 1000, PELP 3020, Honors 2510, and PASS 0900 . Her greatest accomplishment to date is her Honors Taylor Swift + Poetry course, which has garnered international attention.