Practitioners of Distinction

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Practitioners of Distinction

Practitioners of Distinction

The School of Education Practitioners of Distinction Award recognizes individuals who imagine, innovate, and inspire the fields of P-12 teaching, higher education, educational leadership, counseling, and more through professional practice. Honorees are typically currently-serving practitioners at all educational career levels.

Meet our 2024 Practitioners of Distinction Inductees

Carlos Clark

Why did you choose to attend the University of Mississippi?

See Carlos’s Answer

Michael Fleming

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishments (both personally and professionally)?

See Michael’s Answer

LaSheba Hilliard

Tell us about the mentors and role models who inspired you throughout your career:

See LaSheba’s Answer

Cindy Risher

How did you become interested in your field?

See Cindy’s Answer

Help us recognize our alumni!

Each year, the School of Education Board of Advisors accepts nominations for the Practitioners of Distinction alumni awards. Recipients of our alumni awards are recognized each spring.

Nomination Eligibility

Self-nominations are welcome for alumni of the School of Education at the University of Mississippi.
Current School of Education Faculty, Staff and members of the SOE Board of Advisors are ineligible for consideration.
All nominations are considered for three years.
Nominations for the 2025 honorees will open in Fall of 2024.

For any questions, please contact our Development Office at soedev@olemiss.edu. We're happy to help!

Practitioners of Distinction Nomination Form

Fill out my online form.

Past Inductees

We are forever impacted by the legacy of our alumni. Learn more about our previous Practitioner of Distinction inductees below.

2023 Practitioner of Distinction Inductees

2023 Practitioners of Distinction Inductees
	Dr. Angela Ellison B.A.Ed. 1998 20+ year educator and current Head of School and Junior High/ High School Principal at Oak Forest Academy
	Dr. Ishmael Miller M.A. 2015 Project Manager / Analyst of Racial Equity Initiatives at Highline Public Schools & incoming Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow of Educational Leadership at Arizona State University
	Dr. Donna Sheperis B.B.A. 1986 (Marketing); Ph.D. 2005 Professor of Counseling at Palo Alto University; Board Certified Counselor and TeleMental Health Provider with 30+ years’ experience in clinical mental health counseling
	Mrs. Catherine Tibbs B.A.Ed. 1992 Career educator at middle school, high school, and university levels and current director of the Hancock Performing Arts Center; former director of Live Oak Writing Project, University of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Coast

2021 Practitioner of Distinction Inductees

2021 Practitioners of Distinction Inductees
	Mary Jane Jackson B.A.Ed. 1980, M.Ed. 1982 35-year social studies and geography educator
	Dr. R. Brit Katz Ph.D. 1997 Student affairs administrator; retired Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Life, Millsaps College
	Tiffani Pollard B.A.Ed. 2001, M.Ed. 2004 English and journalism teacher at West Harrison High School
	Dr. Patrick Washington M.Ed. 1999, Ed.D. 2015 Founding Principal, Promise Academic Academy Spring Hill; Founder and CEO of Man Up Teacher Fellowship

2020 Practitioner of Distinction Inductees

2020 Practitioners of Distinction Inductees
	Chris Chism M.Ed. 2011 Pearl, MS Principal Corps alumnus, Principal of Pearl High School, and 2018 Mississippi State Administrator of the Year
	Dr. Johnny Mattox B.A.Ed. 1973, M.C.S. 1974, Ph.D. 1979 Corinth, MS Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Professor of Biology at Blue Mountain College.
	Dr. Kelle Sumrall B.A.Ed. 2002, M.Ed. 2004, Ed.D. 2010 Oxford, MS Science teacher at Lafayette Middle School, Robert E. Yager Excellence in Teaching Award recipient by the National Science Teachers Association, and 2020 Mississippi Boys Bowling Coach of the Year.
	Joanne Webber B.A.Ed. 1996, M.Ed. 1997 Collierville, TN Physical education teacher at West Collierville Middle School, cross country coach, and certified Apple Teacher and Vanguard Coach.

2019 Practitioner of Distinction Inductees

2019 Practitioners of Distinction Inductees
	Jamil Northcutt B.S. 03, M.A. 04, Ph.D. 13 West Orange, NJ Vice President of Player Engagement, Major League Soccer
	Adam Pugh Ph.D. 09 Oxford, MS Superintendent of Lafayette County School District
	Wanda Quon B.A.Ed. 74 Jackson, MS Principal, Pecan Park Elementary School
	Angela Victory B.A.Ed. 00, M.Ed. 02 New Albany, MS Teacher, New Albany Elementary School

2018 Practitioner of Distinction Inductees

2018 Practitioners of Distinction Inductees
	Kevin Allemand B.A.Ed. 05 Perkinston, MS Social studies, government, and politics teacher at Hancock High School
	LaTonya Robinson B.A.Ed. 98, M.Ed. 99, Ed.D. student Batesville, MS Principal, Greenhill Elementary, North Panola School District
	Whitman Smith B.A.Ed. 89, M.Ed. 94 Oxford, MS Director of Admissions, University of Mississippi
	Patrick Wilcher B.A.Ed. 03, M.Ed. 04 Guilford, MS Mathematics Instructor, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

2017 Practitioner of Distinction Inductees

2017 Practitioners of Distinction Inductees
	Shelley Clifford B.A.Ed. 03, M.Ed. 04 Atlanta, GA Head of Lower School, Mount Vernon Presbyterian School
	Jessica Ivy B.A.Ed. 06, M.Ed. 08, Ph.D. 11 Starkville, MS Assistant Professor of Secondary Education, Mississippi State University
	Jay Levy B.A.Ed. 11 Canton, MS English Teacher, Northwest Rankin High School
	Wanikka Vance B.A.Ed. 03 Park Forest, IL Founder, Foundations 4 adVANCEment