New Faces, Enduring Legacy at Pine Forge Academy

Story by Addriene Rhodes

For 80 years, Pine Forge Academy (PFA) has nurtured students academically, spiritually, socially and personally. This year, four professionals joined the Pine Forge family. Their journeys are different, but their commitment is shared: helping young people discover their gifts, grow in confidence and carry the PFA legacy forward.

For Paige Whitaker, the new associate dean of Kimbrough Hall, residential life is more than supervision; it is an opportunity to mentor, encourage and create a community where young women can thrive. Whitaker holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Oakwood University (Ala.) and a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Community Mental Health from Alabama A&M University.

Her professional experience includes behavioral health, case management, community outreach, advocacy, crisis support and nonprofit service. Her commitment to residential life began in college as a residential assistant, where she learned the importance of relationship-building and creating a welcoming home away from home. At Pine Forge, she is dedicated to helping the young women of Kimbrough Hall grow academically, personally, socially and spiritually.

New chemistry teacher Mazoe Morris brings to PFA an interdisciplinary background in biology, biochemistry, health care, research and social services. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Oakwood University and a Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Miami. Before joining PFA, Morris worked in laboratory research, health care and case management, including molecular biology and stem cell research. In the classroom, she is committed to making chemistry accessible and relevant through hands-on learning, real-world applications and connections to students’ everyday lives. Her goal is to build curious, confident thinkers who are prepared for college and future opportunities in STEM.

For Ericka Blackwell (’04), returning to PFA is a homecoming. A proud PFA alumna, she knows firsthand the transformative power of the academy. Blackwell returns for her second chapter as a Pine Forge educator with more than a decade of experience in classroom teaching, school administration, curriculum leadership and student programming. She teaches AP language and composition, English language arts, and world history, while contributing to instructional leadership and curriculum development. Her goal is to strengthen academic excellence at PFA.

For new Chaplain Keith Johnston, an educator, mentor and student advocate, education is about helping young people answer two powerful questions: Who am I, and Whose am I? Johnston earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Oakwood University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Belmont University.

He has served in Adventist and public-school systems in Tennessee, Virginia and Maryland, and has also worked as a counselor in behavioral health settings serving teens and young adults. His approach centers on the whole student: academic achievement, character, emotional well-being, spiritual identity and preparation for life. At PFA, he brings a passion for mentoring, relationship-building and helping students recognize their potential.