UM School of Education Honors 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees and Practitioners of Distinction

The event, which took place May 2, is held each year to honor individuals whose service, innovation and leadership have made a lasting impact on students and the field of education.

This year’s celebration recognized four recipients of the Practitioner of Distinction Award, and six Hall of Fame inductees, including one recipient of the Outstanding Educational Service Award. The latter is an honor reserved for those whose work is bold, transformative and far-reaching.

“Through their work as educators and leaders, our outstanding awardees demonstrate how their commitment to the profession can ignite opportunity and create lasting change,” said David Rock, the school's dean.

The Hall of Fame inductees and Practitioners of Distinction honorees were selected by the School of Education board of advisers through nominations made by the school's community that were sent in earlier this year.

2025 School of Education Hall of Fame Inductees

Summer DeProw, chancellor of the University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College, was recognized for her visionary leadership in higher education and workforce development. A UM alumna, DeProw spearheaded UA-PTC’s strategic plan, “Resilience, Aspiration and Purpose,” and has served in numerous roles at Arkansas State University. She also serves on several boards, including the UM School of Education board of advisers.

Peggy Emerson, former assistant dean and School of Education faculty member,  was posthumously honored for her lifelong dedication to early childhood development and student mentorship. Emerson, who earned her doctorate from UM, was remembered for her academic excellence, global curiosity and enduring personal connections with students and colleagues.

William Ivy, a national leader in student success and enrollment management, was inducted for his four-decade career in higher education. Ivy, a UM alumnus, helped transform advising and enrollment systems at Oklahoma State University, Pittsburg State University and Tulsa Community College, and was previously named to the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.

Jerilou Moore, longtime UM professor and arts integration advocate, was honored for more than 25 years of service as a teacher, administrator and scholar. Moore, who co-directed major reading and standards-based initiatives, continues to influence the field through her books on arts-based STEAM education

Teresa Poole, dean of education at William Carey University, was recognized for more than 30 years of service across P–12 and higher education. A UM alumna and former school administrator, Poole is known for her leadership, community engagement and commitment to educational equity.

Jeanne Carter Luckey, a dedicated advocate for accessibility and public service, was named the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Educational Service Award. A UM graduate and former special education teacher, Luckey’s legacy includes service with Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning board, where she championed ADA compliance, as well as deep community involvement along the Gulf Coast. Luckey died in 2024, and her contributions were honored through this posthumous recognition.

2025 Practitioners of Distinction

Jonathan Barnes, a school counselor at Water Valley High School, was celebrated for innovative college and career initiatives and the development of a behavior support program that reduced office referrals by 80%. A UM alumnus, Barnes began his career serving students displaced by Hurricane Katrina and has become a statewide model for student support.

Yolanda Logan, principal of Oxford Learning Center, was honored for nearly 20 years of educational leadership. A former research chemist turned teacher and administrator, Logan has championed student-centered learning and was named Oxford School District’s Administrator of the Year in 2019

Allison Oliver, assistant professor at Austin Peay State University, was recognized for her contributions to special education as a teacher, behavior specialist and consultant. A 2022 UM doctoral graduate, Oliver also leads community outreach and professional development in inclusive practices.

Phil Webb, superintendent of Pontotoc City Schools, was honored for his leadership in Mississippi K–12 education. A UM graduate in educational leadership, Webb has served in nearly every administrative capacity in his district and is known for building high-performing teams and strong school cultures.

Top: From left, Charles C. Emerson Jr., Charles W. Emerson III, Jerilou J. Moore, Teresa Poole, Summer L. DeProw, William A. Ivy and Alwyn Luckey, joined by David Rock, dean of the School of Education.

By Don Feitel/School of Education