Biographies of 2009 Chancellor’s Fellows

D. Andrew Creamer (Andy) is Chair of the Department of Psychology, Counseling and Foundations of Education at Troy University’s Troy Campus.  Andy was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his Associates at a community college and his B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida.  After a stint in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman, Andy returned to earn a Masters in Educational Psychology from Wayne State University, a Masters in Counseling from the University of Central Florida, and his Doctorate in Counselor Education from the University of Central Florida.  Andy has over thirty years experience as a Mental Health Counselor and Therapist and has a national reputation for working with abused and traumatized children and their families. Andy is the proud father of two adult daughters, Shannon and Kelly.

Joseph (Jay) Houghton currently serves as Florida Director for the Southeast Region of TROY’s Global Campus.  He holds a BA degree in French and an MA in Marketing. Prior to joining Troy University, his career took him to 3 states and 4 countries beginning in France where he taught English in the French public school system. He returned to New York where he worked with the Berlitz Language Schools.  A transfer within that group led him to Atlanta where he served as School Director for nearly two years.  From Atlanta, Houghton moved to Switzerland where he began a long association with the American College.  He served the College for 3 years in Switzerland, 4 years in Atlanta and for 17 years in London.  During his years with the College, he served as instructor, Director of Student Affairs, Academic Dean and for 16 years as President.  Houghton is married to Adrienne Le Brun and they have 3 daughters.

Marcus Paramore is Director of Government Relations for Troy University.  He is responsible for oversight of state and federal legislative affairs for the university and also directs the Troy University Political Action Committee.  He previously served the university as Director of Development for Athletics and under his direction Troy experienced significant growth in both annual donations and revenue that enabled construction and renovation of new facilities for the Athletics Department.  Previously, he worked on the congressional staff of Congressman Terry Everett.  Paramore holds a BA in Economics and a MS in Sport and Fitness Management from Troy University and he serves as chair of the College and University Governmental Affairs Representatives. He is a member of the Troy Rotary Club, the Business Council of Alabama and was recently appointed to the Board of Janice Capilouto Center for the Deaf.  Paramore is married to Leigh Ann, a TROY alum, and the couple has two sons, Bradley and Cody.

Candice Howard-Shaughnessy is Assistant Professor and Interim Chair for the Department of Kinesiology & Health Promotion. She earned her BS. in Physical Education and MS in Foundations of Education from Troy University (96, 98) and a PhD in Exercise Science with a specialization in Motor Development and emphasis in Special Education from Auburn University (03). Shaughnessy serves on many departmental, college, and University committees and provides community service as a board member for the Janice Capilouto Center for the Deaf, Pike County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, First United Methodist Church, and the Troy Miracle League. Her research interests include motor skill development in young children, physical activity in elementary children, and the increased performance of skill development in middle school children. In 2006, She was honored with the Ingalls Excellence in Classroom Teaching Award. Shaughnessy lives in Troy with her husband, Richard (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Troy University Athletics) and her 14 year-old Chihuahua, Abu.  

Greg Skaggs is Assistant Professor in the Department of Art and Design. Before coming to Troy, he taught graphic design at Southern Arkansas University. Greg is an active artist and has shown his work throughout the United States. Notably, he was selected to show in New American Drawings in Santa Fe, and Drawing on Alabama 2007 in Auburn. In 2008, he was selected to participate in the SECAC group show at the Ogden Museum of Art in New Orleans. Skaggs is also a member of IC3, developing projects with Halmstad University, Sweden. He serves on the Board of Trustees at the Wiregrass Museum of Art and on the Board of Directors for the Troy Arts Council. Greg holds undergraduate degrees in Graphic Design and Art Education, and an MFA in Painting from the University of Oklahoma. Skaggs and his wife, Carrie, have two children: Kalyn, fifteen and Abbie, thirteen.