Upward Bound is a pre-college preparatory program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program is designed to motivate underachieving students by developing their basic skills to enable them to complete high school and make a successful transition into postsecondary education.

���We really appreciate all of the parents who allowed their children to participate this summer, and we encourage more parents to consider signing their scholars up as well,��� said Kenneth White, interim director.

Students visited and toured Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University campuses and made visits to various fun and educational sites such as the Houston Zoo, Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Preserve, Houston Holocaust Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center, and finally the Houston Space Center.

They also enjoyed a fun day at the Galveston Pier.

For more information about Upward Bound at 91做厙, contact Kenneth White at 601.877.6222 or kenwhite@alcorn.edu.

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She will be responsible for retention and development services. Her focus will be on ensuring that students receive the support and resources they need during the critical first two years of their academic journey at Alcorn.

���I am thrilled to continue the work of Alcorn���s student success strategy as dean of University College,��� said Hutson. ���I look forward to working in partnership with the University College team, the academic units, and the campus community to support a positive student experience through holistic student development. I appreciate both Drs. Wooden and Cook for their confidence and support of me to contribute to Alcorn���s student success outcomes in this new capacity.���

Hutson previously served as Alcorn���s chief of staff and assistant vice president for Student Development & dean of students.

With over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, she has a commitment to student success, collaboration and partnership, and a campus culture that encourages students, faculty, and staff to connect, engage, and belong.

She has contributed to the student success strategic priorities of 91做厙 through partnership with faculty and staff to offer students significant co-curricular experiences and engagement initiatives that support students��� academic, personal, and professional goals.

During her tenure at Clayton State University, she was instrumental in the development of the University���s student success strategy to support new and incoming students. She also served in the role of faculty at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and as committee chair for the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).

She is a peer reviewer for the Journal of Community Engagement in Higher Education, where her original research, Institutionalizing Community Engagement in Higher Education: A Quantitative Approach to Engagement based on Institutional Characteristics, was published in 2019. Her research on community engagement in higher education has been widely disseminated, and she has provided oversight of a $1 million grant from the AmeriCorps National Service to provide scholarships to students.

In addition, Hutson is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and other organizations committed to advancing the work of student services in higher education and at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Hutson received a bachelor���s degree in political science from Mercer University, a master���s degree in public administration from Florida State University, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Valdosta State University.

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The group included the Student Government Association (SGA) and Mister and Miss Alcorn.

���The NASAP Student Leadership Institute was an amazing experience,��� said Jordan Buck, SGA President. ���Throughout the leadership institute, we participated in interesting seminars, listened to inspiring speakers, and collaborated with numerous HBCU student leaders. We are eager to apply the knowledge and insights we have received to better serve 91做厙 and our positions as student leaders.���

The NASAP Student Leadership Institute is an interactive six-day program designed for newly elected Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) student leaders, including Student Government Associations, Class Officers, Greek Councils, Student Ambassadors, and Programming Boards.

Pictured from left, are Eric Thompson II, Joshua Ray, De���Marcus Jackson, Solomon Bryant, Kristyn Wilson, Oniyah Robinson, Kaitlyn Phillips, Jordan Buck, Jillian Mills, and Arrington Robinson.

The Institute aims to empower these leaders to uplift their organizations and universities through enhanced leadership skills and a deeper understanding of their roles on campus.

During the Institute, participants engage in numerous activities about student leadership and development.

The program���s goals include fostering an appreciation for the mission and significance of HBCUs, promoting planning and organization to better serve students, catalyzing empowerment and positive change on their respective campuses, and building collaborative relationships with other student organizations, faculty, administration, and fellow students.

The NASAP Student Leadership Institute emphasizes the importance of forging meaningful relationships with campus administration to facilitate collaborative solutions and promote holistic growth.

Student leaders that participated in the NASAP Student Leadership Institute include ���

Eric Thompson II ��� NPHC President, psychology major, Cincinnati, Ohio

Joshua Ray ��� Junior Class President, biology/health science major, Shelby, Miss.

De���Marcus Jackson ��� SGA Parliamentarian, geospatial engineering major, Natchez, Miss.

Solomon Bryant ��� SGA 1st Vice President, secondary education major, Minden, La.

Kristyn Wilson ��� Senior Class President, biology/pre-professional major, Canton, Miss.

Oniyah Robinson ��� 2nd Vice President, biology/health science major, Greenville, Miss.

Kaitlyn Phillips ��� Sophomore Class President, social work major, Shaw, Miss.

Jordan Buck ��� SGA President, agribusiness management major, Crenshaw, Miss.

Jillian Mills ��� Miss Alcorn, elementary education and English teaching major, Greenville, Miss.

Arrington Robinson ��� Mister Alcorn, biology major, Canton, Miss.

Founded in 1954 on the campus of Howard University, NASAP traces its roots back to two parent organizations: the National Association of Deans of Women and Advisor of Girls in Colored Schools, and the National Association of Personnel Dean of Men at Negro Educational Institutions. Today, NASAP is a prominent association that sponsors various programs and events focusing on the needs of students and the professional development of student affairs professionals.

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The Forum will address the challenges and opportunities surrounding agricultural land ownership in the U.S. Topics will include the historical issues with agricultural land ownership, trends in farm demographic change, competition for land between farmers/ranchers and real estate and energy development interests, and more.

Farmers, ranchers, food and agribusiness leaders, government officials and staff, industry representatives, NGO representatives, academics, students in agricultural disciplines, and members of the media are all encouraged to attend.

Registration is required. To register for the event, please visit farmfoundation.org. Upon registration, attendees will receive the Zoom link and/or meeting ID and passcode via email.

The distinguished panel of experts participating in the event includes:

Moderator:

David Haight, Vice President for Programs, American Farmland Trust

Panelists:

Howard Halderman, President, Halderman Farm Management Service and Halderman Real Estate Services

Whitney Sawney, Director of Communications and Policy, Native American Agriculture Fund

Eloris Speight, Director, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center

���Ownership of and investment in U.S. farmland is a critical topic as we look towards the future with new demands for farmland, transitions of ownership and succession planning, and farmland as a continued investment opportunity,��� said Martha King, Farm Foundation, vice president of programs and projects. ���This Forum will examine the topic from multiple perspectives and look at both current events and proposed legislation as well as future demographics and trends.���

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College Raptor is a leading college planning platform that helps families discover college matches driven by AI algorithms to find the right colleges at the best price.

���We are honored to be ranked as the 8th HBCU of College Raptor���s Top 25 HBCUs listing,��� said Dr. Tracy Cook, interim president. ���This recognition is an example of Alcorn���s rich legacy and commitment to academic excellence.���

The recognition by College Raptor highlights 91做厙���s position as a premier institution of higher education in the country.

The rankings are based on a comprehensive evaluation of various factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other key metrics reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recent enrollment year.

���Each year, we carefully assemble our lists to highlight the best schools in different categories to help families get started in the college discovery process,��� said Bill Staib, College Raptor���s CEO. ���Alcorn State stands out for its continued dedication to academic excellence. We are proud to highlight them.���

College Raptor���s Best Colleges rankings are developed using publicly available data for each college. The selection process involves a specific and proprietary methodology that considers numerous factors, ensuring an unbiased assessment of the institutions. No college or University is able to pay for inclusion or better placement in these rankings.

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His term as MAS president began on July 1, 2023. He is the first representative from 91做厙 to lead MAS since its inception in 1932.

���The Alcorn community celebrates this amazing achievement with Dr. Patlolla,��� said Dr. Joyce Buckner-Brown, interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. ���He continues to demonstrate his leadership prowess, and I am confident he will excel in this new role.���

As president, Patlolla intends to increase student participation from universities across the state at the 88th MAS Annual Meeting. The event will be held from February 29-March 1, 2024, at the Thad Cochran Convention Center at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss.

���It���s an honor, and I am elated to be chosen to lead the esteemed science organization of the state and to be involved in directing policies over the year,��� said Patlolla. ���I am looking forward to encouraging science and engineering students and scientists to be more involved in the annual meeting and increase overall membership of the Academy.���

Driven by his dedication to fostering scientific excellence, Patlolla aims to amplify the number of presentations at the annual meeting and bolster membership enrollment for the organization.

Patlolla���s achievements and commitment to the scientific community have been recognized with his appointment as a life member and Fellow of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences (FMAS). He received the ���Outstanding Contribution to Science��� award from the Academy in 2021.

Since joining 91做厙 in 1997 as an assistant professor of biology, he earned tenure in 2003, was promoted to associate professor in 2004, and ultimately attained the rank of professor in 2011.

Over the years, he has held various leadership positions, including his tenure as the head of the biology department from 2002 to 2004 and his role as the associate dean of the area from 2009 to 2013. Patlolla has served as dean for the School of Arts and Sciences for the past decade.

His educational background includes a bachelor���s degree in biology and chemistry and a master���s degree in genetics from Osmania University in India. He furthered his academic studies, earning a master���s degree in biology and a doctoral degree in environmental sciences from Jackson State University.

He is the son of Sri P. Anna Rao and the late Smt. P. Susheela of Raparthy, Telangana, India. He is married to Dr. Anita Patlolla, and they are the parents of a son, Shiva, and a daughter, Sapna.

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���As Alcorn continues ���Forging Ahead,��� it is critical that we align the university with the strategic plan and best practices in higher education,��� said Dr. Ontario Wooden, interim president. ���The robust programming offered in the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and the School of Arts and Sciences warrants the title elevation for the Schools. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of the faculty and staff in the Schools to offer a quality educational experience to our students.���

The decision to rename these academic schools marks Alcorn���s commitment to providing a transformational education experience, which aligns with the university���s strategic plan.

���The name change will allow the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences to continue to effectively enhance the mission of our university by providing an enriched learning environment for a diverse body of undergraduate and graduate students through careers in agriculture, advanced technologies, and human sciences,��� said Dr. Dexter Wakefield, interim dean of the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. ���With increasing enrollment, a broad selection of academic programs, nationally recognized faculty and staff, and high levels of student career success, the school is recognized for attracting top-level students pursuing an education in these pathways. This would represent an additional means to attract and recruit students due to the prestige associated with the name ���college��� over ���school.���

Alcorn���s Agriculture and Applied Sciences includes several departments that produce workforce-ready graduates to enhance the agricultural workforce, which is the No. 1 industry in Mississippi.

They include the Department of Advanced Technologies, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Human Sciences, which hosts degree programs such as agricultural economics, agribusiness management, computer networking and information technology, and human development and family science.

The foundational pillars of the School of Agriculture and Applied Science are driving agricultural advancements, fostering technological innovation, and addressing critical issues in food security, sustainable practices, and workforce education leadership.

���This modification reflects the breadth of the academic disciplines available to students and faculty thereby distinguish the university from other institutions that may only offer a limited range of disciplines within the Arts and Sciences,��� said Dr. Babu Patlolla, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Generally, Colleges often attract students from a variety of backgrounds and cultures thereby increasing the diversity of the student population at the university. Finally, it better reflects the School’s commitment to excellence in Arts and Sciences.���

Alcorn���s School of Arts and Sciences, has various disciplines to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and social understanding.

The School is home to the Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Department of English, Language, and Mass Communication, Department of Fine Arts, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Department of Military Science, Department of Social Sciences, and Department of Social Work. With degree programs in English, history, mass communications, music, sociology, biology, and computer science, the School of Arts and Sciences.

The name change reflects Arts and Sciences dedication to producing well-rounded students equipped with the skills to tackle complex societal challenges and contribute to advancing scientific and artistic endeavors.

The changing of the Schools to College status highlights the academic growth and influence of these units and solidifies 91做厙���s position as a leading academic institution dedicated to innovation and shaping the minds of the next generation

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Lucreta Tribune has been named 91做厙���s new associate vice president for finance.

A native of Edwards, Miss., Tribune will provide leadership and direction to the following departments ��� Accounting, Accounts Payable, Grants and Contracts, and Procurement. She will ensure that financial reporting is accurate, timely, and compliant.

With a background in accounting and extensive experience in state government finance, Tribune brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.

���I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Tribune has accepted the position of AVP for Finance,��� said Dr. Adell Brown, interim vice president for finance, administrative services, operations, and CFO. ���She brings valuable knowledge in financial accounting, as well as leadership experience in the state government of Mississippi and 91做厙. We are tremendously grateful and have high expectations for the performance of the financial units under her leadership and direction.���

Before her appointment, she served as the director of accounting at Alcorn since August 2022, playing a vital role in managing financial operations and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

���I am honored and grateful for the promotion to associate vice president for finance,��� said Tribune. ���It is great to be given the opportunity to work alongside others who share the same goal to further the mission of our beloved institution.���

With a career spanning 14 years in state government finance and an additional five years as a state auditor, Tribune possesses a deep understanding of financial regulations and practices.

Tribune received a bachelor���s degree in accounting from 91做厙 in 2000. She furthered her education at Jackson State University, earning a Master of Professional Accountancy degree in 2004.

She resides in Clinton, Miss., and has one daughter, Megan.

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