Sherman College of Chiropractic recognizes Faculty and Staff of the Year and Employee Service Milestones
Spartanburg, SC (01/09/2026) — Sherman College of Chiropractic recently honored employees by naming the faculty and staff members of the year and recognizing employee service milestones. The annual event celebrates the successes of the past year and looks ahead to the college's future.
"At Sherman College, we're fortunate to have a dedicated and loyal team. Many of our employees have devoted significant portions of their careers to this institution, and their ongoing contributions continue to strengthen Sherman and advance the chiropractic profession," said Sherman College President Dr. Jack Bourla. "Together, these faculty and staff not only exemplify excellence in their roles but also inspire the Sherman community every day, helping to shape the next generation of chiropractors and advancing the College's mission of 'Adjusting the World for a Better Future.' We celebrate and thank our award recipients and long-serving employees for their dedication, passion, and lasting impact on the Sherman community, inspiring students and exemplifying the excellence at the heart of our College."
Dr. Natalia Popov was named the Sherman College 2025 Faculty Member of the Year in recognition of her exceptional teaching, compassion, and commitment to student success. Dr. Popov brings a global perspective and deep compassion to her role at Sherman. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Chelyabinsk State Medical Academy in 1997 and began her healthcare career in Russia's hospital system, managing a private clinic until 2008. After relocating to the United States, Dr. Popov transitioned into higher education, teaching anatomy, physiology, and laboratory courses as a health sciences instruAfter visiting Sherman College in 2023, Dr. Popov felt a strong connection to the institution's mission and set a goal to join the faculty. In 2024, she began serving as the anatomy lab manager while teaching selected courses. From her first days in the classroom, students quickly recognized her academic excellence, compassion, and dedication to their success.
Students consistently describe Dr. Popov as "sweet and loving," noting that she fosters a learning environment where they feel supported, challenged, and genuinely cared for. Her teaching style blends clarity and creativity, with thoughtfully designed summary slides, study guides, and practice questions that make complex material approachable and engaging. One student shared, "I LOVE her practice tests - I believe it's why I was so successful in her class."
Beyond mastering anatomy, Dr. Popov intentionally links course material to chiropractic practice, reminding students of the impact their education will have on future patients. As one student noted, "She always brought it back to chiropractic and how important topics will be for helping our future patients." Perhaps most memorable is the lasting impression she leaves on her students. "Dr. Popov is a ray of sunshine," one student shared, while another said, "She teaches with love and kindness." Her unwavering commitment to student learning and well-being exemplifies the values of Sherman College, making her a truly deserving recipient of the 2025 Faculty Member of the Year Award.
Brandon Hoskins was named the 2025 Sherman College Staff Member of the Year in recognition of his exceptional service, technical expertise, and commitment to the Sherman community. Since joining the College in October 2024 as a Junior Systems & Network Administrator, Brandon has made an immediate and meaningful impact by supporting critical systems, network operations, and specialized software relied upon daily by students, faculty, and staff.
Brandon brings a strong foundation of discipline, precision, and service to his role, shaped in part by his previous experience as a U.S. Air Force Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist, where he ensured high-performance aircraft were mission-ready at a moment's notice. At Sherman, that same sense of responsibility translates into a proactive, solutions-driven approach. Colleagues often note that Brandon doesn't ask whether something can be done - he asks how quickly it needs to be accomplished.
In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Brandon is deeply committed to continuous learning and professional growth. He has earned both the CompTIA A+ and Google IT Support Professional certifications and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Systems Security. His dedication to developing his skills reflects his desire to provide the highest level of service to the campus community
Beyond his technical abilities, Brandon is widely respected for his humility, kindness, and willingness to put others first. Whether assisting a colleague, supporting a student, or working behind the scenes to keep systems running smoothly, he exemplifies quiet leadership and selfless service. These qualities, combined with his professionalism and integrity, make Brandon Hoskins a truly deserving recipient of the 2025 Staff Member of the Year Award.
Sherman also recognized employees who reached milestone service anniversaries, celebrating their dedication and contributions to the College's mission. The following employees were recognized:
Celebrating one-year of service:
- Dr. Jessica Caruso
- Dr. Susan Donoff
- Stefan Lawter
- Dr. Natalia Popov
- Dr. Ankur Tayal
- Dr. Michael Tomasello
- Dr. Steven Waltner
Celebrating five years of service:
- Dr. Samantha Attaway
- Dr. Tim Guest
- Moses Rivas
Celebrating 10 years of service:
- Dr. Rebecca Boles
- Dr. Janice Fordree
- Dr. Billie Harrington
- Marcia Park
- Dr. Princess Porter-Fowler
- Rolando Rivera
- Dr. Huarong Zhou
Celebrating 15 years of service:
- Dr. Jaime Browning
- Dr. Amilliah Kenya
- Dr. Charles Kenya
Celebrating 30 years of service and retiring after the fall 2025 term:
- Dr. Claudia Seay
"We celebrate and thank our award recipients and long-serving employees for their dedication, passion, and lasting impact on the Sherman community, inspiring students and exemplifying the excellence at the heart of our College," added Dr. Bourla.
Link to photos in Flickr album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/199729886@N05/albums/72177720330128627
About Sherman College of Chiropractic. Sherman College of Chiropractic provides students with a comprehensive chiropractic education, preparing them to enter the field as Doctors of Chiropractic who are highly skilled, compassionate, ethical, and successful. On an 80-acre campus in South Carolina, Sherman offers a professional degree program unique in its approach and known globally for the skill and art of chiropractic delivered by graduates. The college's Chiropractic Center provides high-quality, affordable chiropractic care for families at every stage of life, from pediatric to geriatric. The center is a teaching clinic for chiropractic interns in their final stage of study before graduating from the college's doctor of chiropractic program. Coordinated by licensed doctors of chiropractic, the teaching environment enables interns to practice chiropractic under close supervision and ongoing consultation. For more information, visit www.sherman.edu or call 800-849-8771.









