Mississippi Public Universities
Academic & Student Affairs
As staff to the Board of Trustees, the Office of Academic and Student Affairs coordinates systemwide activities through the formulation, interpretation, and implementation of policies related to academic programs, teaching and learning, student affairs, and continuing education. In addition, the Office of Academic and Student Affairs promotes academic quality in educational development to meet the diverse academic, workforce and lifelong needs of all Mississippians.
Office Staff
Eric Atchison
Institutional Research Analyst
Telephone: 601.432.6288

Nikitna Barnes
ARM Special Projects Coordinator
Telephone: 601.432.6110

Carlotta Brown
Finance Specialist for ARM
Telephone: 601.432.6303

Lashanda Colbert-Vance
Special Projects Director for GEAR UP MS
Telephone: 601.432.7804

Nira Coleman-Johnson
Director of GEAR UP MS
Telephone: 601.432.7876

Menia Dykes
Director of Accreditation
Telephone: 601.432.6372

Mitzi Gendron
Research Analyst
Telephone: 601.432.6445

Mary Grant Lee
Evaluation & Compliance Director for GEAR UP MS
Telephone: 601.432.6958

Sandra Herring
Assistant Director of ARM
Telephone: 601.432.6984

Jim Hood
Director of Strategic Data Management
Telephone: 601.432.7011

Susan P. Lee
Director of Academic Affairs
Telephone: 601.432.6522

Lacey Loftin
Website Content Coordinator for College Knowledge Project
Telephone: 601.432.6621

Janette McCrory
Director of Nursing Education
Telephone: 601.432.6486

Gloria Miller
Coordinator of Student Affairs & P-20 Initiatives
Telephone: 601.432.6422

Pearl Pennington
Director of Student Affairs
Telephone: 601.432.6482

Alfred Rankins, Jr.
Associate Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs
Telephone: 601.432.6501

Juanester Russell
Associate Director of GEAR UP MS
Telephone: 601.432.7807

Patricia Shines
Administrative Assistant for GEAR UP MS
Telephone: 601.432.7876

Ronjanett Taylor
ARM State Program Director
Telephone: 601.432.6380

Deborah Taylor
Administrative Assistant to the Associate Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs
Telephone: 601.432.6501

Briana N. Thompson
Program Support Specialist for GEAR UP MS
Telephone: 601.432.6159

Casey Turnage
Director of P-20 Initiatives
Telephone: 601.432.6458

Marsha Watson
Director of College Knowledge Project
Telephone: 601.432.6177