DEAN OF STUDENTS MEGAN JAMES TALKS WITH STUDENT LEADERS.
MILLSAPS ALUM RETURNS AS NEW DEAN OF STUDENTS BY LAUREN SINGLETON ’21
As a Millsaps alumna, Megan James recalls fond memories from her time at Millsaps as she walks the campus today. Though buildings have changed and technology has revolutionized learning, “the commitment shown by students, faculty, staff and alumni to live into the motto of the college still rings true.” Some of James’s most memorable experiences included “hearing Margaret Thatcher and Jane Goodall speak in the Christian Center, having weekly lunches in the Caf with faculty and staff discussing current trends and seeing students walk across the seal during graduation.” She thanks Millsaps for such wonderful opportunities and “for celebrating when we meet marks of excellence, and for our unwavering support of one another.” James graduated from Millsaps in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology before earning her Master of Education in higher education administration from North Carolina State University. She is an active member of her community, volunteering for St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Jackson and serving as the international fraternity president of Delta Delta Delta fraternity. James previously worked as the assistant dean of students at Millsaps before transitioning to the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Office of Development as an alumni engagement associate. “I’m thrilled that Megan has come home to Millsaps,” says Millsaps President Robert Pearigen. “This is a critical time in the history of the institution, and Megan is the right leader to be our chief student advocate. Her proven commitment to student success and her unwavering dedication to the college makes her the perfect leader to fill this important post.”
Given the changing dynamics in higher education and the coronavirus pandemic, James says people “are questioning the value of a liberal arts education, the purpose of traditional colleges altogether and the inequities of access to and support within historic institutions.” She, however, believes Millsaps to be a special institution that, with appropriate adjustments, will thrive in coming years and adapt as necessary. “The landscape of higher education is rapidly changing, and colleges that will thrive in the future are those that understand how to engage the passion of students, support them in their quest for deep meaning and help them prepare for life after college.” James plans to help Millsaps adjust to modern-day challenges and keep the focus on students, their experience and their success in her role as dean of students. James began her new role in June and is responsible for creating and maintaining a collaborative campus environment that supports student success both in and out of the classroom. She functions as the college’s primary advocate for students and their experience. Important to James is the need to familiarize herself with the current student body, to figure out what support “they need for their success and to have a full, meaningful collegiate experience.” She also aims to develop relationships with students and get to know the issues and trends that are important to the student body to establish trust and connect with the Millsaps community. James says that, at the end of the day, “the focus of our college is on the students. Everything we can do to support them in their collegiate experience benefits the entire Millsaps community.”
MILLSAPS.EDU
5
