Mississippi Today

‘As long as I’m needed’: JSU acting president has no timetable from IHL for appointment

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2023

‘As long as I’m needed’: JSU acting president has no timetable from IHL for appointment

by Molly Minta, Mississippi Today
March 6, 2023

Jackson State University’s temporary acting president said she has no timeline for her appointment at an on-campus press conference Monday.

Elayne Hayes-Anthony’s address to the media and campus community came as questions are still spinning about the circumstances that led the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees to suddenly place her predecessor, Thomas Hudson, on administrative leave with pay last week.

“I’m going to be here as long as I’m needed,” Hayes-Anthony said. “I’ve not been given a timetable.”

For now, Hayes-Anthony has limited hiring and firing powers. Decisions like that, she said, will be made in coordination with IHL Commissioner Al Rankins.

“I am committed to upholding our operations at the highest possible standard,” she said.

But in other aspects, Hayes-Anthony is fully embracing her new role at the historically Black university in the capital city. The Jackson native and former chair of the university’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies emphasized her connection to Jackson State, her love of the university’s athletic teams and her commitment to academics.

“I’m homegrown,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere. This is not something for me as a resume builder. I love this university, and I think it shows.”

The IHL has been silent about its decision to place Hudson on leave due to a “personnel matter” though, in a press release last week, the board said it will “discuss the future leadership of Jackson State” at this month’s meeting. The stunning decision came about a month after IHL voted to renew Hudson’s contract through 2027.

Any questions about Hudson, Hayes-Anthony said, were for IHL. But she did answer questions about the deep-rooted sense among many in Jackson State’s community that the IHL board does not look out for the university’s best interest — or even that trustees sabotage the university by appointing presidents who are not fit for the role.

“We can really bridge and go over whatever we think are troubled waters,” she said. “I think it can be done. I think the community is ready for that to be done. And I think the people that serve Jackson State, like I do, will be ready for that to be done.”

Hayes-Anthony said she planned to meet with students Monday afternoon.

“I want to know what students need because a part of my mission is increasing enrollment, and you can’t do that without listening to students,” she said.

She has also scheduled a meeting with the faculty senate later this week, said Dawn McLin, the faculty senate president, who attended the press conference.

“The largest room in the world is the room for improvement,” McLin said. “I appreciated that she talked about trust. It’s earned. And she’s working hard to earn our trust and foster a culture of inclusiveness here at Jackson State University.”

In January, the faculty senate voted no confidence in Hudson and four members of his administration, including Joseph Whitaker, the vice president of research and economic development; Michael Bolden, vice president of facilities and operations; Robin Pack, the executive director of human resources, and Brandi Newkirk-Turner, the associate provost.

The resolution cited a “continuous pattern of failing to respect” shared governance and other professional norms of higher education from Hudson’s administration.

Rico Jackson, a 21-year-old senior communications major, said he went to the press conference to “show some love” from his department because Hayes-Anthony has been a supportive leader.”

This semester, Jackson said that Hayes-Anthony made it possible for him to graduate on time by arranging for him to take two classes in tandem that are normally required to be taken apart.

“She’s always been there to try to make whatever way that she can possible for you,” he said.

Hayes-Anthony will be at the Capitol Wednesday to promote the university’s legislative agenda that includes requests for funding for new dormitories and improvements to its water system.

“Jackson State is one of the great pillars of the city of Jackson,” she said.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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Mississippi Today

UMMC holds free cancer screenings

Published

24 hours ago

April 30, 2025

Staff Editor

mississippitoday.org – @EricJShelton – 2025-04-30 12:00:00

by Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today
April 30, 2025

Resident physician Claire Babin, right, performs an oral cancer screening on Ella Holmes during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Physicians prepare for oral, head and neck cancer screenings during a free screening event at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Resident physician Brooks Lampkin, center, screens Diane Carter for oral cancer as medical students Mason Nodurft, left, and Eva Kiparizoska observe during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Educational giveaways advocating against smoking are available during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Sharon Terry, senior tobacco treatment specialist, waits for patients during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Skylar Robinson, medical office assistant, left, and Kiandria Bruce, registered nurse, review materials at the patient sign-in table during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Head and neck cancer literature is available during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Dr. Alex Brooks and registered nurse Angela Noble talk during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Nina Brown, clinical manager, helps Ned Bostic with paperwork during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Resident physician Brooks Lampkin performs an oral cancer screening on Ned Bostic at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Ned Bostic receives a neck cancer screening during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Resident physician Brooks Lampkin, center, and medical student Hanna Watson examine Ned Bostic during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at the Jackson Medical Mall on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery hosted a free oral, head, and neck cancer screening Wednesday at the Jackson Medical Mall as part of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week.

The event featured quick, noninvasive screenings aimed at catching cancer early — when treatment is most effective. Onyx Care provided free HPV vaccinations, while the ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education, and Research offered resources on smoking cessation and free services.

“These screenings take about 10 minutes and can save lives,” said Dr. Gina Jefferson, head and neck surgical oncologist at UMMC. “The earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the better chance we have of curing it.”

Tobacco and alcohol use remain major risk factors for these cancers. However, physicians say an increasing number of cases are linked to HPV, especially among younger adults with no history of smoking or drinking. Dentists are often the first to spot early signs, which can include persistent sores, lumps in the neck, or difficulty swallowing.

Oral, head and neck cancers are among the most common globally. When found early, survival rates can exceed 80 percent.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The post UMMC holds free cancer screenings appeared first on mississippitoday.org

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

This article presents factual information about a free cancer screening event without showing a clear ideological stance. It primarily focuses on the health benefits of early cancer detection and the availability of free resources, such as HPV vaccinations and smoking cessation support. The language used is neutral and the content is centered around public health education rather than promoting a political viewpoint. The inclusion of factual statistics, such as survival rates and risk factors, adds to its informative and objective tone. There are no signs of bias or advocacy for a particular political agenda, making this a centrist piece.

Crooked Letter Sports Podcast

Podcast: What next for Mississippi State baseball?

Published

1 day ago

April 30, 2025

Staff Editor

mississippitoday.org – @rick_cleveland – 2025-04-30 10:46:00

by Rick Cleveland and Tyler Cleveland, Mississippi Today
April 30, 2025

Mississippi State didn’t even wait until the end of the season to fire Chris Lemonis, who brought the national championship to Starkville not quite four years ago. Where do the Bulldogs go from here. Robbie Faulk who covers the Bulldogs more closely than anyone else joins the podcast to discuss the situation.

Stream all episodes here.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The post Podcast: What next for Mississippi State baseball? appeared first on mississippitoday.org

Mississippi Today

Mobile sports betting users: We want to hear from you

Published

1 day ago

April 30, 2025

Staff Editor

mississippitoday.org – @MSTODAYnews – 2025-04-30 10:21:00

by Mississippi Today, Mississippi Today
April 30, 2025

Mississippi Today is looking to speak with current and former mobile sports betting users. We’d like to speak with people who spend considerable amounts of time and money betting on sports through online gambling sites.

We’re interested in hearing the experience of people who have suffered from gambling addiction or problems, or friends and family members of people who have. We also would like to talk with people who believe legalizing mobile sports betting would benefit Mississippi and its residents.

We want to hear from you. Please take the survey below or contact Political Reporter Michael Goldberg by email at mgoldberg@mississippitoday.org

TAKE THE SURVEY:

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This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The post Mobile sports betting users: We want to hear from you appeared first on mississippitoday.org

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

This article from Mississippi Today appears to present a neutral stance, focusing on gathering input from various groups of mobile sports betting users, including those who may have experienced addiction issues. The content does not advocate for or against the legalization of mobile sports betting but instead seeks to gather diverse perspectives, including those of individuals who may support or oppose it. The language used is objective and does not suggest a particular ideological perspective, allowing for a balanced exploration of the issue at hand.