Gregory, a Jackson, Miss. native, joins Alcorn after serving as associate professor of graduate education and director of Ed.D. doctoral studies at Belhaven University.

Her career spans every major level of public schools from second grade teacher to elementary and high school administrator.

“I was drawn to 91���� because of its legacy of preparing educators and leaders who make a meaningful impact in their communities,” Gregory said. “This role allows me to bring together my K–12 and higher education experiences to strengthen programs, support faculty, and positively influence students.”

As dean, Gregory oversees academic programs in education, health and physical education and recreation, and psychology.

Her immediate priorities include strategic faculty hiring, increasing enrollment across undergraduate and graduate programs, and improving student pass rates on licensure examinations.

She has also set her sights on launching graduate level psychology programs and an Ed.D. doctoral program.

“I have been intentional about listening, learning, and taking strategic action,” Gregory said. “Most importantly, I’ve felt a genuine sense of connection and purpose in this role. Alcorn truly feels like home.”

Gregory said her years in K–12 schools inform every decision she makes about curriculum and faculty development.

She expects Alcorn graduates to enter the workforce ready to manage classrooms, use data to guide instruction and demonstrate the professional conduct that sustains careers. These are what she calls the soft skills that travel across all professions.

“Treat students like they have your last name,” Gregory said, crediting advice from her mother as the foundation of her professional philosophy. “When we approach our work with that mindset, there is nothing we wouldn’t do to ensure students are supported and successful.”

Gregory said expanding graduate offerings will deepen the school’s contribution to Alcorn’s broader mission of community leadership. She envisions a school where working professionals can return for advanced degrees, micro-credentials and endorsements long after earning their first diploma.

Gregory earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Jackson State University and a Master of Education in elementary education from Belhaven University. She also holds an educational specialist degree in school administration and supervision and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership, both from Delta State University.

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This event is free and open to the family and friends of the Class of 2024 and the University community.

“Baccalaureate is an opportunity for Alcorn graduates to express gratitude and praise to God for their victory against great odds,” said Dr. C.J. Rhodes, director of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Hiram Rhodes Revels Institute for Ethical Leadership. “Dr. Kia Conerway, a young preacher and HBCU grad whose leadership impact is felt from Memphis to the White House, will certainly inspire continued God-graced bravery for the Spring Class of 2024.”

Conerway is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, the University of Chicago, and Memphis Theological Seminary.

With nearly two decades of experience shaping strategies for churches, politicians, and non-profits in the South, she has become known for her expertise in fundraising and consulting. She has successfully raised funds for multiple church launches and the three largest churches in the Mid-South.

As founding pastor of the Church at the Well, Conerway has overseen significant growth, enabling nearly $300,000 in mission funding. Her doctoral work, which raised nearly $500,000 in a single weekend, highlights her skills in consulting for health disparity programs.

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Nearly 400 graduates will receive associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees.

“Montell Jordan’s remarkable journey as a musical artist and now pastor is a testament of perseverance and commitment,”��said Dr. Tracy M. Cook, president.��“These are key attributes our graduates will need along their��journey. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Jordan back to the Alcorn campus as he��provides words of encouragement to��our graduates.”

Montell��Jordan��is an author, pastor, Grammy Award-winning artist, and recipient of the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 1995, along with artists such as Coolio, TLC, and Madonna,��Montell��Jordan’s breakout hit “This Is How We Do It”��was a chart-topping success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles for seven weeks and the R&B charts for eight. Over his nearly twenty-year music career, he produced seven studio albums and 14 singles, ultimately selling over 10 million records worldwide.

As a student at Pepperdine University in Malibu,��Montell��was set to attend law school when a professor told him his biggest regret was missing his chance to pursue music.��Montell��realized,��in a flash, that if he was ever going to get��a chance��to pursue music on the level he wanted, he had to move forward with his dream.��He recorded a demo tape that made its way to Def Jam Records Founder Russell Simmons. “This Is How We Do It”��took off, and the first of many��number one��records was created.

Montell��began to realize the difference between his gift and calling.��He was gifted as a musician, but he was called to minister.��Speaking, teaching, mentoring, counseling, and writing��are ways��Jordan��fulfills his ministry purpose today.��After serving as an executive pastor for Victory Church in Norcross, Ga., for nearly a decade, he now has a marriage ministry with his wife, Kristin, where they assist public marriages��to��heal��in private.��Their ministry, Marriage Masterpeace, is a 501c3.����Montell��and Kristin also pastor a virtual church called Master Peace Church that launched November 6, 2022, and streams live every��Sunday at 11 a.m.��and��6 p.m. EST.

Montell��has written two books – “Becoming Unfamous”��which is��his autobiography, and “This Is How We Do It! Making Your Marriage A Masterpeace”��which he co-authored with his wife, Kristin.��Throughout his musical career,��Montell��had already shown an ability to stretch boundaries of genre and style and uses this same ability to influence, impact, and inspire today.��Montell��brings the word of God and personal experience from the music business to provide a practical and applicable understanding of music and worship��to light.��He still performs on world tours and loves��to bring��the love of Christ outside the��four walls of the church to concert venues all over the world.����Montell��is a Champion Ambassador for Special Olympics North America and a public speaker on��topics related to��diversity, equity, and inclusion.

For more information about the Spring 2024 Commencement ceremonies, please visit alcorn.edu/commencement/.

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In addition to the $500 scholarship, Camry also received a complimentary membership to MPE for her first year of teaching.��

“I would like to��extend my congratulations to��Ms. Gipson for being selected as one of the recipients of the 2024 Linda Anglin Scholarship,” said Dr. LaShundia Carson, dean of the School of Education and Psychology.��“It truly takes a community effort to prepare and support outstanding educators, and scholarships like this��one��play a crucial role in enabling many of our students to��successfully��complete their academic programs and achieve their goals.”

Camry decided to pursue a career in education because of her various experiences in grade school that ignited her passion for the field.��

“Working in the special education field throughout high school inspired me to pursue education as my future career,” she said.

She expressed her gratitude and joy about the Linda Anglin Teacher Preparation Scholarship.

“When my achievements in education are recognized, I feel valued,” said Gipson. “In this day and age, teachers are still yearning to feel valued, so it has been��very��heartwarming for my work to be acknowledged.”

The Dallas, Texas native feels Alcorn has “thoroughly prepared her for a future career as an educator.”

“As I leave Alcorn, I plan to use the skills and knowledge I’ve gained to become a top educator��in my field. Alcorn advisors and instructors have given me the information and experiences to��be successful and prepared��as I move forward in my career.”

Gipson is a��member of the��Collegiate 100 Women of 91���� and volunteers as an academic tutor and health worker.

“I have been blessed with wonderful opportunities and experiences,” said Gipson. I am thrilled to be entering the education field. I know this journey will bring light to not only my life but also the lives of the others I will teach.”

Founded in 1979, the Mississippi Professional Educators is Mississippi’s��largest��and premier organization for professional educators, serving approximately 12,500 teachers, administrators, and support personnel. MPE serves members in pre-K through graduate education in both public and private institutions��with the purpose of promoting��better education for the children of Mississippi. ��MPE offers an annual scholarship to an MPE student member from each School of Education at Mississippi’s fifteen public and private institutions of higher learning. ��

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“I am excited about the future of the School of Education and Psychology and eagerly anticipate working closely with Dr. Henderson in her new capacity,” said Dr. LaShundia Carson, dean of the School of Education and Psychology. “I would like to express my appreciation for the exceptional leadership provided by Dr. Morris Stanton, which has brought stability and guidance to our department during the transition period. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside him on campus, and I am confident that Dr. Henderson will continue to build on his achievements in her new role.”

With over 20 years of experience in the field of education, Henderson has held various roles, including Special Education teacher, Special Education director, deputy superintendent, and interim superintendent in various school districts. She has also made significant contributions to higher education by teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

“It is an honor and privilege to be selected to serve at such a prestigious and historical institution, said Henderson. “I am excited to join the faculty of the School of Education and Psychology, and I look forward to working to help fulfill the mission and vision of the University.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Spelman College, a master’s in business administration from Millsaps College, a Specialist�� and Doctor of Education degrees in education leadership, both from Mississippi College.

She is a life member of the Junior Auxiliary of Brookhaven and chapter support coordinator for the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries. Henderson is also an active member of the Mississippi Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College and is currently pursuing a certificate in biblical theology from Wesley Biblical Seminary.

Beyond her professional achievements and community involvement, Henderson is a devoted wife and mother of two sons.

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91���� alumna Ajasha Long is the perfect example of perseverance.

The Saint Louis, Missouri native’s commitment to excellence earned her an invitation to pursue a doctorate degree at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She plans to study counseling psychology.

As she looks back on her matriculation through her education, she realizes how thankful she is to have kept her goals in sight.

“Receiving the invitation was an extremely humbling experience because I previously had doubts about my skills and abilities,” said Long, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Alcorn in 2015. “I am extremely grateful to be given this opportunity, and I am excited about what is in store.”

Long said that counseling psychology is a flexible field, which is why she was inspired to make it her career. In the future, she wants to take advantage of all the opportunities the field affords to her.

“I chose counseling psychology because the field is multidimensional. There are so many ways to utilize your talents in this filed. I plan to be a practitioner as well as a researcher. I also plan to work in academia. Earning the doctorate degree will enable me to do all of those things.”

In the future, Long plans to continue her research in health disparities and chronic illness. – Alcorn News

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Two exceptional students from 91���� have been chosen for their outstanding work in the classroom. DeKayla Thomas and Ruby Winters, who are both juniors and psychology majors, were selected into the Roland E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Tuesday, March 7.

The Roland E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federal TRIO program funded at 151 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society.

DeKayla, an Olive Branch, Mississippi native, is proud to be selected to the esteemed program. She looks forward to the positive advantages that come with being a McNair Scholar.

“I feel blessed to be given the opportunity to be a McNair Scholar,” said DeKayla. “As soon as I learned about the program, I knew I had to become a part of it because I knew I would be given a wonderful opportunity. I am still gaining so much knowledge about graduate school and doctoral programs, so being a part of the McNair program is extremely beneficial to my future.”

Becoming a McNair Scholar has motivated Ruby, a Memphis, Tennessee native, to do her best so that others can see the positive impact of such programs.

“Becoming a McNair Scholar has motivated me because I know how invested the people involved with the program are in my education,” said Ruby. “I know that I have to continue to work hard in order to prove that programs like this are effective in helping minority students succeed.”

Dr. LaShawn Thompson, who was a McNair Scholar during her time as a student at the University of Southern Mississippi, has faith in the program’s ability to aid the educational success of the students.

“This is a great program that will boost our students in their education futures and careers,” said Thompson. “I was a McNair Scholar when I was a student, and it played a big part in my education.” – Alcorn News

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On February 18^th, 2017, Dr. LaShawn Thompson presented, as a part of the Human Rights Committee of the Ms Counseling Association, a three hour Ethics workshop in Jackson MS at the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center.

The presentation was entitled “Keeping them down: Combating Institutional isms- A Counselors’ Ethical Responsibility to Advocate, Educate & Bring them up!”

Within this presentation, the presenters assisted participants in recognizing their sometimes unknown biases, the roles of micro-aggressions in the marginalization of individuals based upon gender, sexuality, religion, race, culture, socio-economic and educational status, as well as how counselors can then advocate for various marginalized groups to ensure all individuals feel safe within society.

The goals of the presentation were to gain awareness of personal biases, to gain knowledge about institutional “ isms”, to learn how discrimination and marginalization impacts individuals societally and globally, and to address our ethical responsibility to identify bias, advocate for equality, and reverse institutional “isms”.

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The Psychology Society will host an open forum discussion with Ms. Tiffany Parris. Ms. Parris is a Psy D. student from Adler University in Chicago, Illinois, and will be here to discuss graduate school options, diversity in higher education, and to have an informal conversation with students about higher education. Refreshments will be served following this event and is open to all students and staff. This event will be held in the JD Boyd library auditorium from 2- 4pm.

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Psychology Society Hosts Ice Cream Social

On April 7th, 2017, The Psychology Society organization will be having an ice cream psychology-social. At this event, free ice cream will be served for all those attending. Students of all majors will have the opportunity to socialize with students in the department of education & psychology. All students are welcome to come and learn about events in our department and about the programs offered in The Education & Psychology Department. The event will be in the Walter Washington Curriculum Resource Center from 2-4pm. Please come out to this event and celebrate psychology week with our department!

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