The students were led by Jonas Crenshaw, executive director of Mississippi Charter Schools Association and Alcorn alum. During their seven-day tour, they visited nine HBCUs with Alcorn being the eighth school visited. According to Crenshaw, since the start of his teaching career in 2001, he has sent over 350 students to attend Alcorn.

“A lot of our scholars aren’t familiar with southern HBCUs and I wanted to make sure they were offered affordable options that would also give them a good experience overall,” said Crenshaw. “I know the kind of support that our scholars can get at a school like Alcorn.”

He also emphasized the university’s affordability compared to northern HBCUs, noting that Alcorn does not charge out-of-state fees, making it a cost-effective option.

The group was greeted with a formal welcome from President Tracy Cook, the Student Government Association, Brave Ambassadors and Royal Court. Throughout the day, students received a tour of the campus, along with a taste of Alcorn traditions and customs, which stood out to student Cincere Friend from Chester, Pa.

“What really touched me the most was the student building for the Alcorn business school,” said Friend. “They touched on a lot of things that I was actually interested in. Overall, it was a warm welcome, felt family-oriented and overall just a 10 out of 10 experience.”

They also had the opportunity to engage with various faculty, staff and departments before going to lunch. During the visit, the group experienced “Fish Friday”, when the campus community gathers in the cafeteria to enjoy music, fried and baked fish, Greek organizations strolling, and trail ride dancing. The atmosphere left an impression student Jacob Mickens from Philadelphia, Pa.

“The students, the ambassadors, the President, I can’t explain the energy that I got from Alcorn because it was so different from any other colleges that I’ve ever visited,” said Mickens. “It felt like home and the food, especially the catfish, was amazing!”

Assistant Director of Admissions Demartinez Simmons warmly welcomed the group, praising the students’ professionalism and expressing enthusiasm about assisting them through the enrollment process.

“The visit provided them with an opportunity to explore our academic programs and connect with staff and students, which helped them gain a better understanding of our culture,” said Simmons. “It was especially rewarding to see several students receive on-the-spot admission, and we look forward to the possibility of welcoming them back in the fall.”

The central theme emphasized during the visit was the university’s strong sense of community and its family-oriented environment.

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The conference, which took place April 21-22, 2026, was led by keynote speaker Dr. Theresa Horne, Vice President, Community Manager for Chase in Jackson, Miss. Her presentation, titled “Purpose-Driven Leadership in Action”, encouraged students to pursue careers aligned with their passions and values, rather than focusing solely on salary. She emphasized the long-term fulfillment that comes from meaningful work.

“I feel that it was very important to give back to a community that has given so much to me,” said Horne. “Coming here to Alcorn State solidifies in my mind how we can give back to the next generation, making sure that they’re prepared, ready and know who they are once they step out of these doors.”

The conference featured a dynamic lineup of speakers who brought diverse perspectives from their experience in corporate leadership roles including Amber Therrell the HR specialist at Mississippi Blood Services, Monica Smith-Wallace the Early Talent Acquisition Manager for Corporate Services at Caterpillar Inc.

Levell Spencer the Global Human Resources Business Partner at Caterpillar Inc. and Dr. Jason Gibson, author and assistant professor at 91°µÍř were also speakers at the event.

“My driving force is centered around helping students develop in their purpose and cultivate their brand,” said Gibson. “Purpose and branding are two essential attributes required to thrive post undergrad. I believe the tools that we are equipping students with are going to be integral to their success leaving Alcorn.”

Additional speakers were entrepreneurs who found solutions to challenges they personally experienced. Rahul Jindal, co-founder of MyCareerCloset, wanted to even the playing field of first impressions by providing students access to affordable clothing. Sterling Mark, founder of Sterling Empowerment, drew from his own experience with housing instability and frequent school transitions. His mission is to prepare students, equipping them with tools and knowledge that he wished he had.

“Having the opportunity to pour knowledge into them that could help them better prepare for the next phase of their life is my purpose,” said Mark. “Seeing the faces of the students receiving the information and watching them leave empowered and rejuvenated is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. I look forward to returning to the rich history here at Alcorn State and keeping the fire alive in them.”

The conference bridged the gap between corporate professionals and entrepreneurs, exposing students to tools that can help them thrive beyond their undergraduate education. The university continues to invest in shaping confident, career-ready scholars who will strive to make an impact in their fields.

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All events are free and open to the public.

The festival is one of the longest-running jazz festivals in Mississippi. It draws high school, community college, and university ensembles together for a full day of competitive performances, adjudication, and live music from world renowned artists.

“We look forward to welcoming you in Vicksburg for the 44th Annual ASU Jazz Festival,” said Dr. Ryan Stransky, 44th ASU Jazz Festival director. “This year will feature guest artist Kortland Whalum, a Memphis-based singer-songwriter who will deliver an energetic and powerful performance. Join us for a full day of high school and collegiate jazz bands.”

This year’s headliner is Kortland Whalum, a Memphis-based singer, songwriter, and actor whose credits span Broadway, Off-Broadway, and international touring with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

The festival kicks off Thursday, April 23, with a 1 p.m. performance by the Mississippi National Guard 41st Army Band at Bolden Fine Arts — Little Theater on the Alcorn State campus in Lorman. The main festival day follows Saturday, April 25, at the Vicksburg Convention Center, with doors opening to the public at 11 a.m.

The full festival schedule runs from 11 a.m. to about 9 p.m. Ensemble performances begin at 11:15 a.m. An awards ceremony follows at 6 p.m., with Whalum’s headline set beginning at 7 p.m.

Six ensembles are scheduled to perform, representing institutions from Mississippi and Louisiana — Murrah High School FM 1400 Jazz Ensemble, Jackson, Miss.; Cleveland Central High School Jazz Ensemble, Covington High School Jazz Ensemble, Covington, La.; Hinds Community College Jazz Ensemble, Miles College Jazz Ensemble, and the 91°µÍř Jazz Ensemble.

“The ASU Jazz Festival is a tradition of excellence in music, jazz, and education,” Stransky said. “We join together with high school, community college, and university ensembles to showcase the talent and musicianship represented across the nation.”

Whalum is a graduate of Memphis’ Overton High School for the Performing Arts and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Morehouse College. He spent six years in New York City performing in Off-Broadway productions before returning to Memphis, where he served as Vocal Director at the Stax Music Academy and facilitated the 50th Anniversary Stax/Volt Tour across the United Kingdom and France. His theater credits include “Hello, Dolly!,” “Porgy & Bess,” “The Wiz,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,”among others. The Tennessee State Senate has honored him for his artistic contributions and cultural impact.

Whalum will be accompanied by a band of accomplished Memphis area musicians, including guitarist JB Brownlee, keyboardist and producer Terrence Brown, and bassist Henry Conerway III, a Detroit native who has performed at the Kennedy Center, the Toronto Jazz Festival, and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola.

The ASU Jazz Festival has grown over four decades under the leadership of the Department of Fine Arts.

Dr. Russell Thomas Jr. founded the festival and also directed the Jazz Ensemble. Dr. David Miller, the longest-tenured festival director, built upon that foundation during his years leading both the festival and the ensemble. Dr. Sean Daniels later carried the tradition forward before the baton passed to Dr. Stransky.

The festival’s alumni stage reads like a who’s who of American jazz — Chick Corea, Branford Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, Max Roach, Ramsey Lewis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Arturo Sandoval are among the legends who have performed in Vicksburg over the festival’s 44-year run. The 2025 festival featured the Louis Hayes Quintet.

The event is sponsored by River Hills Bank, ASU Foundation, Inc., JXN Metro Music, Alcorn State Southwest Mississippi Center for Culture and Learning, Alcorn State Division of Marketing and Communication, and the Alcorn State Division of Student Affairs.

For more information about the ASU Jazz Festival, contact the Department of Fine Arts at 601.877.6271 or to become a sponsor, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 601.877.6296.

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Forrest, a senior recreation major from Winona, Miss., set a new SWAC record in the men’s 400-meter final with a time of 47.10 seconds. Williams, a sophomore sports management major from West Palm Beach, Fla., also set a record in the men’s 200-meter final, clocking 20.97 seconds.

Beyond their performances, both Forrest and Williams emphasized the discipline required to succeed at the collegiate level, balancing demanding training schedules with academic responsibilities.

“We’re student athletes first,” Forrest said. “Without academics, there is no track.”

Williams added that mental preparation plays a key role in performance. “I stay positive, trust the work I’ve put in, and come in with the right mindset every time.”

Head coach Alonzo Banks praised both athletes for their consistency and ability to perform under pressure. He also highlighted the importance of trust and individual development within the program, noting that each athlete is coached based on their unique needs.

“Our sport is very mental, and it’s individual first,” Banks said. “I take time to understand each athlete and what motivates them. When they step on the track, it’s just them in that moment, and they have to be ready. Forrest and Williams showed that they were ready.”

They finished the championships with two gold medals and multiple podium finishes across the men’s and women’s teams. The men’s team placed 10th overall with 29 points.

As they transition into the outdoor season, Forrest and Williams remain focused on building upon their success and continuing to elevate the program.

“This was a great weekend, but we know there’s more ahead,” Banks said. “I’m proud of what they accomplished, and we’re going to keep pushing.”

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This comprehensive event is designed as a one-stop opportunity for students to network with recruiters, explore diverse career paths, and secure internships and job opportunities. Employers seeking to connect with top–notch talent across all class years and majors within the Alcorn State community are encouraged to participate. This fair provides an invaluable chance for organizations to recruit highly skilled and motivated individuals.

Registration for the Fall 2025 InterConnect: Career Expo & Internship Fair will open on Handshake starting July 1, 2025. Interested participants can register and find more details at.

For any questions regarding the event, please contact the Office of Career Services and Pre-Professional Programs at careerservices@alcorn.edu or 601.877.6257.

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Dr. Antwon Woods, Dean of the School of Business, expressed his enthusiasm for the program. “By creating a STEM-focused MBA program, we hope to bridge the gap between business and technology, providing students with the information, skills, and industry connections they need to succeed in STEM-focused careers,” he said.

The program is self-paced and delivered online, offering engaging multimedia content, interactive exercises, and quizzes to accommodate different learning styles. It places a strong emphasis on developing analytical and problem-solving skills, including statistical analysis, data modeling, and decision-making techniques. Through collaborations with industry partners, students will have access to internships, real-world projects, and networking events that foster connections between academia and industry. Encouraging collaboration among students, faculty, and experts from diverse backgrounds and professions, the program creates an environment where business and STEM perspectives intersect to solve complex problems.

“This unique program is the result of thoughtful preparation and a keen awareness of the evolving economic and technological landscapes,” said Dean Woods. “We are proud to be Mississippi’s first university and the first HBCU nationally to provide a multi-disciplinary online program with concentrations in accounting, healthcare management, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.”

STEM MBAs are in high demand in tech companies, startups, and other innovation-driven organizations. The integration of STEM subjects in the MBA curriculum provides students with a unique skill set that is highly sought after in STEM-focused professions and industries. Graduates of the program will be equipped to tackle business challenges that require an understanding of scientific and technological concepts, as well as the ability to analyze data, innovate, and make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Classes begin on August 19, 2024, and will proceed in 8-week modules. Online registration will be available through August 16. Applicants must hold a STEM-related undergraduate degree and/or have relevant professional experience to be eligible. To ensure that students are prepared for the rigorous program, a self-paced, non-credit STEM MBA readiness course is also offered. This course covers two modules — foundational STEM concepts and introductory business principles.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be equipped for leadership roles that require a deep understanding of both business and STEM disciplines. They will have the capability to succeed in careers in various industries, including technology, consulting, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

The development of this program was made possible by an initial seed fund of $152K from the MD-HBCU grant. Applicants for the STEM MBA program can explore funding options through FAFSA or graduate assistantships. Graduate assistantship opportunities are also available for qualified applicants.

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From 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. on each date, accepted fall 2024 first-time freshmen and transfer students and two guests are invited to visit campus and speak with essential offices to support their successful completion of registration processes.

Representatives from the Admissions, Academic Advising, Housing, and Financial Aid offices will be present at the event.

“We are so happy and excited to have our incoming new students who have chosen 91°µÍř as their new home for the next four years,” said Roy Burr, University coordinator of first and second-year experience. “Their Brave journey starts when they arrive on campus for SOAR, ensuring they have the information needed to begin a successful first year.”

Burr shared that, throughout the day-long orientation, new students have multiple opportunities to meet fellow first-year students as well as the faculty and staff who will help guide them through the next four years as they earn their chosen degrees. “They will have opportunities to get to know the campus as they gain a more solid understanding of campus policies and resources. They will also meet with their academic advisor to discuss their fall schedule, learn some of our campus traditions, start to forge community bonds, and discuss and begin to develop integral college life skills.”

All incoming freshmen and first-time transfer students must participate in this event. Registration for the June 15 session is now closed. Students are encouraged to apply quickly for the remaining sessions.

Students should visit /academics/university-college/new-student-orientation/ and click on their chosen date to register to attend.

A $30 non-refundable registration fee is required to participate. Payments should be made online when registering for your preferred SOAR date.

“The start of a new year is always an exciting time, and we can’t wait to see all of our new Braves here this summer at Alcorn. Go, Braves!” Burr said.

For more information, contact University College at universitycollege@alcorn.edu or 601-877-6226.

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An invitation-only brunch has been planned to celebrate the legacy of Rep. Alyce Griffin Clarke on Saturday, October 28, at 11 a.m. in the Ecology Building on the Lorman campus. During pre-game of the football game against Mississippi Valley State, she will be recognized on field for her contributions.

“Rep. Alyce Clarke is a legend in Mississippi and beyond,” said Dr. Tracy Cook, interim president. “Throughout her career, she has worked diligently to provide access for the underserved and make our state a better place. She shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first female African American woman elected to the Mississippi Legislature and led the charge to bring the lottery to Mississippi, among many other milestones. It is befitting that we honor one of our fellow Alcornites for her nearly four decades of service to our state and Alcorn with Rep. Alyce Griffin Clarke Day to celebrate her rich legacy.”

Clarke broke barriers by becoming the first African-American woman elected to the Mississippi Legislature in 1985.

Throughout her legislative career, she continued to make an impact as she championed equal rights for many disadvantaged groups. The causes that she took on ranged from drug addiction, proper nutrition for families to leading the charge to bring the lottery to Mississippi to help improve education and the state’s highways.

“The Rep. Alyce Griffin Clarke ’61 Day is a tremendously special moment for the Alcorn family to present Mrs. Clarke with her flowers and celebrate her for all that she has sacrificed and given,” said Dr. Marcus Ward, vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation, Inc. “91°µÍř, and indeed, the state of Mississippi has been truly blessed to have such a trailblazing alumnae advocate as strong and impactful as Rep. Alyce Griffin Clarke has been in the Mississippi legislature.

Clarke began her career as a home economics teacher but later became a nutritionist.

She received her undergraduate degree from 91°µÍř in 1961 and attended Tuskegee University.

Additionally, Clarke is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., 91°µÍř National Alumni Association, Jack & Jill of America, Inc., MS Public Health Association, Regional Association of Drug-Free Schools and Communities, and Mississippi PTA.

“She has earned a rich legacy that has touched and made a difference for so many families and people,” said Ward. “We thank her immensely for her service and look forward to celebrating her legacy of leadership on this special day.”

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