LaShundia Carson is the new dean of the School of Education and Psychology. She has been on the faculty at the university for 16 years. Dr. Carson was the principal investigator for a National Science Foundation $1.1 million grant program entitled “Be Brave, Teach STEM: Building a Diverse Teacher STEM Workforce in Mississippi.” She was director of a program that prepares student teachers for various teaching tasks, legal issues in education, professional knowledge, and professional practices in elementary and secondary education.
Dr. Carson received her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Alcorn State University. She earned master’s and doctoral degrees in early childhood education from Jackson State University in Mississippi.
Dexter B. Wakefield, professor and associate dean of academic programs of the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences was named interim dean of the school. Professor Wakefield has 26 years of experience as an agriculture teacher and administrator in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Texas. He is noted for his qualitative approach to historical research associated with underrepresented students in agriculture.
Dr. Wakefield received his bachelor’s degree from Fort Valley State University in Georgia. He holds master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural extension and education from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He completed postdoctoral studies at Harvard University.
