2/15/2024 - Jackson, Miss.

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) today recognized educators from across the state’s public university system for their contributions to the positive advancement of diversity on campuses and communities. The awards program, which began in 1992, is presented as part of the Board’s observance of Black History Month.

Nominees from each of the state’s eight public universities and the University of Mississippi Medical Center are recognized with the Diversity Award for Excellence. One nominee is selected by the Diversity Committee of the Board as the Diversity Educator of the Year.

The Board also recognizes a community honoree with the Karen Cummins Community Service Award, which honors individuals who have promoted diversity and inclusion in their communities. First presented in 1997, the award was renamed in 2017 in memory of former IHL trustee Karen Cummins in recognition of her courage, compassion and willingness to serve.

Individuals honored with the Diversity Award for Excellence include:

• Dr. Babu George, MBA director and professor of business administration at Alcorn State University
• C. T. Salazar, Reference Instructional Services librarian and assistant professor at Delta State University
• Dr. Ebony Lumumba, associate professor and chair of the Department of English at Jackson State University
• Dr. Jordan Lynton Cox, former assistant professor of cultural anthropology at Mississippi State University
• Dr. Shecoya White, assistant professor in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion at Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine
• Dr. Davida Crossley, associate professor of microbiology at the Mississippi University for Women
• Dr. Ro’Shaun A. Bailey, assistant vice president for student affairs and campus life at Mississippi Valley State University
• Dr. Rebecca E. Symula, instructional associate professor of biology at the University of Mississippi
• Dr. Jennifer L. Lemacks, professor and associate dean for research in the College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Mississippi

The 2024 Diversity Educator of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Caroline E. Compretta, assistant vice chancellor for research and associate professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Compretta was recognized for her broad scope of work that includes research in community-engaged partnerships in rural Mississippi, dedication to serving underrepresented populations, and efforts to mentor early career faculty, residents, and students.

The 2024 Karen Cummins Community Service Award was presented to U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson, in recognition of his career spent working to improve the lives of all people. Thompson’s community engagement efforts began while he was a student at Tougaloo College and have continued through his terms as an alderman and mayor of the City of Bolton, as a Hinds County supervisor, and as a member of Congress (now in his 15th term).

The Diversity Committee of the Board of Trustees is comprised of Trustee Dr. Steven Cunningham, Trustee Dr. Ormella Cummings, and Trustee Jeanne Luckey.

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The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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