Dr. LaShundia Carson selected as dean of the School of Education and Psychology
A familiar face at Alcorn State University has been selected for her commitment to student success and hard work.
Dr. LaShundia Carson is the new dean of the School of Education and Psychology. She replaces former interim Dean Dr. Malinda Butler, who retired this summer.
“I am delighted that Dr. Carson agreed to accept the role as dean,” said Dr. Ontario Wooden, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs. “She has been an asset to Alcorn, her colleagues, and the many students she has nurtured during their matriculation. I look forward to her continued contributions to the School of Education and Psychology.”
In her 16-year tenure with Alcorn, Carson has played a significant role in the School’s accomplishments. The National Science Foundation awarded the School over $1.1 million in funding for the “Be Brave, Teach STEM: Building a Diverse Teacher STEM Workforce in Mississippi” program, an initiative in which Carson served as principal investigator. She has led the Department’s Pre-Service Seminars, a program that prepares student teachers for various teaching tasks, legal issues in education, professional knowledge, and professional practices in elementary and secondary education.
Her work has also caught the attention of other organizations, as she was recently elected the 2022-2023 president of the Mississippi Professional Educations, the state’s largest professional organization for educators. She also serves as the coordinator of Alcorn’s Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). She, along with former Dean Butler, led to Alcorn becoming the first HBCU and the only institution of higher learning in Mississippi to be accredited by CAEP.
This promotion is a testament to the dedication that Carson has shown the School over the years.
“I am very proud that others noticed my commitment and dedication to improving access to education,” said Carson. “I have always strived to make a noticeable difference in all my endeavors.”
Carson credits her parents’ wisdom and the many lessons from her mentors for her success and inspiration to excel in her career.
“My parents have expressed the need for good ethics, and I am pleased with how their teachings have played a role in my career mobility. I’ve also had mentors such as Drs. Malinda Butler, Robert Carr Jr., Doris Gary, and the late Josephine Posey. They instilled a vision to be the best I could be to move to greater heights.”
Ensuring quality student, faculty, and staff experiences while continuing to elevate the School’s profile are two of Carson’s goals.
“My priority is recruiting students and preparing them for their careers. My other goals include providing students with excellent experiences that would prepare them for success and increasing certification and graduation rates for all programs. I also hope to provide research and professional development for faculty and staff while securing more external funding for our students and programs. I look forward to strengthening our mission to produce globally competitive candidates.”
Carson received her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Alcorn State University and her master’s and doctorate degrees in early childhood education from Jackson State University.
