Following Denise Jones Gregory’s transition from provost to interim president, Jackson State University in Mississippi has appointed Preselfannie E. Whitfield McDaniels to the role of interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.
A faculty member with the HBCU since 1999, Dr. McDaniels has been serving as dean of the division of graduate studies. She is a full professor of English who specializes in twentieth-century American and African American literature, U.S. women writers, African American vernacular English, and service learning and portfolio pedagogies. She is the co-author of Meeting Points in Black/Africana Women’s Literature (African World Press, Inc., 2016).
“It is an honor to serve in this role at a time when our focus on academic excellence and student success remains more important than ever,” said Dr. McDaniels. “My priority is to support our faculty and students and to strengthen the academic systems that sustain excellence across every college and program.”
Dr. McDaniels is an alumna of Jackson State University, where she majored in English. She holds a master’s degree in English from Mississippi College and a Ph.D. in English from Louisiana State University.
Carlos D. Wilson has been selected to serve as interim dean of the division of graduate studies while Dr. McDaniels takes on the responsibilities of provost and vice president.
With over 15 years of academic and administrative experience, Dr. Wilson has served in several capacities at Jackson State, including associate dean of graduate studies and director of the School of Lifelong Learning in the College of Education and Human Development. An associate professor of interdisciplinary studies, he has led several grant projects focused on adult education, literacy, and international training.
“Graduate education drives innovation and prepares our students to meet the needs of today’s workforce,” said Dr. Wilson. “I look forward to strengthening the graduate experience, expanding access, and elevating the presence of our programs as we work to grow enrollment and deepen impact.”
A three-time graduate of Jackson State University, Dr. Wilson holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a master’s degree in teaching mathematics, and a Ph.D. in urban higher education.
