Mitchell Shears, Ed.D. Email & Phone Number

Pearl, Ms, Us

Responsible for the University Academic Advisement Center; Retention Initiatives of First-Time Full-Time Freshmen; Quality Enhancement Plan (Q.E.P. - R.O.A.R. Re-envisioning Orientation, Advising & Retention; College Access & Success Programs; TRIO Programs; and other tasks as assigned by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.Selected Accomplishments:1) Increased the institution's first-time, full-time retention rate from 53% to 77%.2) Led the University's effort to receive full compliance of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for SACSCOC 2021 Reaffirmation Process.3) Awarded over $14 million in TRIO funding from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education to serve income-challenged and first-generation middle school, high school and college students who aspire to persist and graduate with a postsecondary degree. 2020 Grants Awarded:- TRIO REGULAR Student Support Services Programs ($1,309.440)- TRIO STEM Student Support Services Programs ($1,309,440)2021 Grants Awarded:- Talent Search South ($1,386,875)- The Educational Opportunity Center ($1,160,100)2022 Grants Awarded:- Student Support Services Teacher Prep ($1,309,440)- Talent Search North ($1,386,875)- Tiger Achievers Upward Bound ($1,437,685)- Tiger Navigators Upward Bound ($1,437,685)- Tiger Survivors Upward Bound ($1,437,685)- Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Scholars Community College Program ($1,309,440)- Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Scholars Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) Program ($1,309,440)

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Utica, Mississippi, United States

Utica, Mississippi, United States

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

As Chief Academic Learner, I served as the first principal of this newly built elementary school. Together with a hand-picked par excellence faculty and staff serving over 500 students who were rezoned and transferred from neighboring low-performing schools, in one academic year, the school received a school accountability rating of "B". The school quickly became known as the "Private-Public School" and established the first Men of Honor Program to honor elementary males who received Honor Roll or Higher at least one 9-Week Term and established the first Girls Excelling in Mississippi Schools (GEMS) to honor elementary girls who received Honor Roll or Higher at least one 9-Week Term. The school also was named the 2013 National Title I Distinguished School (MCT2 performance) Category I: Exceptional Student Performance for two or more consecutive years (2010-2011 and 2011-2012).

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

As the Chief Academic Learner, I motivated a dynamic team of dedicated educational professionals, supportive external partners, proud parents and superior students from a low performing school accountability rating to a High Performing School accountability rating in one academic year. The team maintained the school's High Performing School accountability rating under my leadership which led to becoming the 2009 National Title I Distinguished School for MCT2 Performance) in Category I: Exceptional Student Performance for two or more consecutive years. Additionally, we established the first Chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society Chapter in the State of Mississippi and recieved many other awards from the National Parent Teacher Association, the Mississippi Parent Teacher Association and Mississippi Program of Research and Evaluation for Public Schools (PREPS, Inc.).Personally, the accomplishments of the school led me to being named the 2010 JPS Administrator of the Year; 2010 2nd Congressional District Administrator of the Year; and 2010 Mississippi’s Runner Up to Administrator of the Year.

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Jackson, Mississippi, United States

Lorman, Mississippi, United States

Doctor Of Education - Edd, Educational Leadership

Education Specialist, Education Leadership

Master Of Science - Ms, Education

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Mass Communications