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UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

The Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy operate on both the Oxford and Jackson campuses. The Schools of Dentistry, Health Related Professionals and Medicine, and the Health Sciences Graduate School, are based in Jackson only. (Additional healthcare programs are available through the School of Applied Sciences on the Oxford campus.) Other than these exceptions, the schools above are on the Oxford campus.

Biography: Shawnboda Mead

Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Community Engagement

Shawnboda MeadNamed Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Community Engagement in September 2021, Dr. Shawnboda Mead is responsible for advancing institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Mead provides leadership and coordination of UM's strategic efforts to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the community. Established in January 2017, the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DCE) supports the mission of UM by transforming people, institutions, and communities through partnership, access, and engagement that fosters belonging, enriches learning and development, enhances research, and creates equitable opportunities for all. DCE has a responsibility to ensure that all people have the awareness, opportunity, and support to benefit from the transformative power of a college education.

Mead joined UM in July 2014 as the inaugural director of the Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement and most recently served as the university’s interim Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Community Engagement and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Diversity. In her time at UM, she has enhanced our capacity to recruit and retain a more diverse student body, and played a key role in moving strategic initiatives involving faculty and staff. In addition to a previous role as Associate Director of Diversity and Multicultural Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Mead served in various roles at Western Kentucky University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Texas A&M University.

Mead earned a bachelor's degree in educational psychology from Mississippi State University and a master's degree in student affairs/higher education administration from Western Kentucky University. She holds a doctorate in higher education administration from UM and has over 16 years of experience in higher education. Mead is the president of the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) for 2021-22 and is professionally engaged in regional and national organizations. She is the past recipient of SACSA’s Bobby E. Leach, New Professional, and Mid-Level Professional Awards.

A native of Prentiss, MS, Dr. Mead and her husband, Neal, have two young sons.