Dr. Lance Evans

Rooted in Mississippi and Shaped by its Education System, Now Paying it Forward

Rob Fyke

Lance Evans, Ed.D., a lifelong Mississippian, assumed the role of state superintendent of education earlier this year. Raised in Mississippi, his journey reflects the experiences of many in the state—from student to teacher and then administrator, Evans has navigated every step of the educational path. He views the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) as a support system dedicated to serving public school districts across the state.

Evans grew up in the small town of Mantachie in Itawamba County, where family and community shaped his values. His upbringing was filled with involvement in school activities, including sports and the FFA program, as well as various jobs around town. A strong educational influence came from his grandfather, who served in public education for more than 40 years. Evans credits his mentorship with instilling in him a strong work ethic and sense of character. Today, he is a devoted family man. His hobbies—hunting, fishing and golf—are shared with his wife, Brandy, and their two children: Katie, a chemical engineering student at Mississippi State University, and Landon, a high school student-athlete. Balancing family life with his professional responsibilities, Evans remains focused on being a supportive leader both at home and for the students across the state.

From his early education in Mantachie to his current role as state superintendent, Evans’ journey through Mississippi’s education system has been marked by steady growth and an openness to new challenges. After graduating from high school, he attended Itawamba Community College, where he played football—a decision he considers one of the best of his life. Evans remains a strong advo- cate for community colleges, believing they provide invaluable opportunities for their students. He then transferred to Mississippi State University, where he continued playing football and earned his bachelor’s degree. His career began in the classroom, teaching history and coaching football at Oxford High School, followed by a teaching stint at Tremont Attendance Center. During this time, Evans also pursued a master’s degree in educational leadership from Mississippi State.

His career took a turn when he moved into administrative roles, first as an assistant principal and later as a principal in the New Albany School District. He cites his time as an elementary school principal as critical to his development because of the way it expanded his understanding of the educational process. After earning his doctorate from Delta State University, Evans progressed into the role of superintendent at New Albany School District. He credits his experiences within the educational system as crucial preparation for his current role in shaping Mississippi’s future in education.

Under Evans’ leadership as superintendent, the New Albany School District was able to integrate academics with workforce development, preparing students for after graduation. As John Ferrell, former New Albany High School principal and current chief of school and district transformation, explained, “Dr. Evans set out to integrate the quality academics at New Albany with workforce development to benefit the students. Through collaboration with business and industry leaders, we developed a district-wide plan that includes the creation of the IMPACTO (Industry as a Means to Prepare for Academic, Career and Technology Opportunities) program. With the support of our career coaches, the number of industry partnerships that New Albany has formed has grown significantly since the implementation of IMPACTO, and that number will continue to rise.”

Evans is known for his solution-fo- cused leadership, always pushing for innovative ways to ensure that students face “pathways to success with no dead ends.” Suzy Bowen, former career coach under Evans and now director of regional impact at the Create Foundation, recalls his dedication to overcoming obstacles. “Every time we would hit a wall of some type, whether it be liability limitations to place kids in certain industry settings, or lack of funding, he would come back to the drawing board with me or loop in community partners to strategically work on solutions. He works to create programs and initiatives that can be sustained and replicated.”

This collaboration led to the growth of business partnerships, which increased from zero to 350, with major industry partners such as Toyota, Create Mississippi and Three Rivers. These partnerships have transformed New Albany into a district focused on real-world preparedness, with workforce development becoming an integral part of the curriculum, starting as early as kindergarten and continuing through high school.

Because Evans has experienced nearly every facet of education, he is able to draw on that wealth of experience to serve the state of Mississippi. His mission is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to pursue a fulfilling path in life. “We desire to create productive human beings in our communities,” Evans said. He is committed to shaping and adapting Mississippi’s education system to meet the ever-changing needs of students in 2024 and beyond. As he puts it, “Success looks different for each student. It is our responsibility as educators to create multiple, flexible paths to achievement. All students deserve the opportunity to find their own route to success without encountering dead ends.”

A key pillar of Evans’ plan for educating Mississippi’s 21st-century students is workforce development. This starts with updating the state strategic plan to incorporate input from industry stakeholders, ensuring that education aligns with workforce demands. Establishing partnerships between school districts and private businesses is central to this strategy, as is incentivizing districts through the accountability system to focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the local level. Evans stresses that preparing students for a variety of career paths is critical for their future success. “We can’t create a system where we try to put square pegs in round holes,” he explains, emphasizing the need for a flexible and individualized approach to education.

Equity and access in education are also central to Dr. Evans’ goals for the state of Mississippi. While Mississippi is a small and close-knit state, its school districts face significant disparities. Recognizing that some districts require more support than others, Evans has prioritized restructuring the way the state assists low-performing schools. “When one area struggles, we intend to provide much support, working alongside the district, to help them get back on track without interrupting the identity of the district. We will do our best to prevent a state takeover to preserve community pride,” Evans explained. Rather than stigmatizing districts with failure labels, his approach centers on providing support to help schools improve. “Tagging a district as a failure does not preserve school or community pride, and we plan to serve those districts as supportively as we can without a failure designation, if possible,” he added.

Evans is also focused on addressing Mississippi’s teacher shortage. By prioritizing recruitment and retention strategies, he aims to ensure that all students— regardless of where they live—have access to passionate, qualified educators. Additionally, he envisions a public school system that is equitable and attractive, designed to draw families back from private schools and increase enrollment in public education. Evans is committed to providing every student in Mississippi with the opportunity to thrive.

Suzy Bowen expressed her confidence in Evans’ ability to drive change across the state, stating, “The Mississippi Department of Education better buckle up! With Dr. Lance Evans at the helm, productivity and innovation are sure to follow. Kids in Mississippi will rise to the top under his leadership, and I am thrilled to continue to be one of his regional partners, making great things happen for kids across the Magnolia State.”

As Lance Evans steps into his role as Mississippi’s state superintendent of education, he brings with him not only a wealth of experience but also a deep-rooted commitment to the state that shaped him. His approach to leadership, which blends tradition with innovation, positions Mississippi to become a model for other states in the years to come. His vision for the future is clear—an education system that recognizes the individuality of each student, fosters their unique paths to success and strengthens the connection between academic learning and real-world opportunities. Whether through workforce development, equitable access or recruiting passionate educators, Evans’ leadership is focused on ensuring that every student —no matter their background—has the tools they need to succeed.