College of Safety and Emergency Services Contacts

Bethany Holmes, Academic Advisor, College of Safety and Emergency Services
Assists Students with Last Name A – M
Email: Bethany@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 1-800-977-8449 ext. 146

Bethany Holmes began her career with CSU in 2005 and has served in the Admissions Department, as an evaluator, and currently as Academic Advisor for the College of Safety and Emergency Services. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Holmes holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. She is also an active member of the National Academic Advising Association.

Heather Smith, Academic Advisor, College of Safety and Emergency Services
Assists Students with Last Name N - Z
Email: Heather.Smith@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 1-800-977-8449 ext. 229

Heather Smith currently serves as the Academic Advisor for the College of Safety and Emergency Services. A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2002 and is currently working on her MBA with a concentration human resource management from CSU. She received a certificate in law enforcement from Northern Arizona University and has worked with students at California State University, Stanislaus and Montana State University Billings.

Michael E. Findley, Dean of the College of Safety and Emergency Services, Ph.D.
Email: Findley@columbiasouthern.edu

Michael Findley serves as Dean of the College of Safety and Emergency Services at CSU. He holds a Ph.D. in Safety from the University of Tennessee, a MSPH in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Alabama, a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Montevallo, and certifications in industrial hygiene, safety, indoor environments, and mold remediation. With 28 years of experience, Findley has served as an adjunct faculty member at CSU, the University of West Florida, and the University of Tennessee. His past experience includes positions in companies such as ESH Solutions, EOD Technology, Inc., British Nuclear Fuels Limited, Inc., Morrison Knudsen, Inc., BCM Engineers, Inc., Vulcan Materials Company, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Findley is a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, American Society of Safety Engineers, American Indoor Air Quality Association, and the National Safety Council.

Kim Clay, Assistant Dean and Chair of Criminal Justice
Email: Kim.Clay@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 1-800-977-8449 ext. 312

Kim Clay has served as adjunct professor of criminal justice for CSU since 2000 and was recently named Assistant Dean and Chair of the Criminal Justice Department. A graduate of the University of South Alabama, Clay holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s in public administration. His past work experience includes serving as a security police specialist and security police instructor with the United States Air Force and as a police officer for the University of South Alabama where he became Chief of Police in 1985. He has taught law enforcement and security courses at Ashville-Buncombe Technical Community College and at Louisiana State University. Clay is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, and Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police.

Nick Lees, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and Chair of Occupational Safety and Health and Emergency Management
Email: Nick@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 1-800-977-8449 ext. 311

Nick Lees joined CSU in 2005 and serves as the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and Chair of Occupational Safety and Health and Emergency Management. With 17 years of experience, Lees’ professional background includes positions as Manager of Environmental Affairs for Clorox, Inc. and Bio-Lab, Inc., work for PPG Industries, and serving as Senior Environmental Engineer for Georgia-Pacific. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Oglethorpe University, master’s degree in nuclear engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and has begun post-graduate studies in medical sciences at Emory University. Lees currently serves on the advisory board to the environmental group, the Green Bridge Council.

Joel Journeay, Chair of Fire Science, MS
Email: Joel.Journeay@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 1-800-977-8449 ext. 315

Joel Journeay serves as the Chair of the Fire Science Department at CSU. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from California State University in Los Angeles and is currently working on his doctoral degree. With 17 years of experience in the fire service industry, Journeay has held numerous jobs including fire chief, safety officer, fire officer and emergency response manager for hazardous chemical and biological material. His work experience expands nationwide and into the international sector covering destinations as far as the Middle East. He is a volunteer firefighter, POC Firefighter/Driver Operator, and member of the California State Firefighters Association.