LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT DEAR FRIENDS, Alcorn State University is truly a special place. It is a place that can be easily characterized as embodying rich traditions, a storied legacy, and a continued commitment to serving as a beacon of opportunity to the underserved and underrepresented members of its community. On July 1, 2019, I became the 20th and first female President in the University’s nearly 150-year history. As a 1996 alumnus and legacy graduate of Alcorn, I understand, first-hand, the impact and the personal transformation that is the Alcorn experience. It made me whom I am today. In as much, I enthusiastically assumed the helm of this great university filled with a keen sense of pride and purpose, while also understanding my role in charting a path for the future. What I also recognized is that the glass ceiling was shattered for the 67 percent of our students and countless alumni, who until this moment had never experienced a representative in this seat. For this, I commend Commissioner Alfred Rankins, the 19th President, and the IHL Board for having the foresight, recognizing that Alcorn State University was prepared and ready to step into the future with boldness and ready to lead in the higher education landscape. Thus far, my tenure has been unconventional. What began as a typical academic year, abruptly changed in Spring of 2020 from in-person classroom instruction and traditional campus life to online learning and extraordinary measures to keep COVID-19 at bay. Although COVID-19 has continued to impact campus operations, I am pleased to report that few schools rose to the occasion as successfully as Alcorn State University. Even as we faced down the challenges that COVID-19 brought, we never stopped moving forward, thanks to the extraordinary efforts and resiliency of our students, faculty, and staff while keeping our community safe.
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