From College Street – Spring 2026

Humanities Teacher of the Year

Thomas “Kris” Lee, The W’s Humanities Teacher of the Year, presented “Not The Same Old Story: Learning How To Stop So You Can Start,” on campus in February. Lee is an associate professor of English at The W, where he teaches undergraduate creative writing and playwriting and serves in the graduate programs for the MFA in Creative Writing and the MFA in Theatre Education. His talk revealed insights into his creative process and how that informs his teaching.

MUWAA Distinguished Achievement Award

Dr. Brandy Larmon, dean of the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences, has been named the 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award winner by the Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association. The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes faculty, staff and friends of The W who have achieved professional distinction and made significant community service contributions at the local, national and/or international levels, bringing distinction and honor to the university.

Tollison Named Interim President

The IHL Board of Trustees recently named Dr. Scott Tollison interim president of the Mississippi University for Women. Tollison currently serves as provost and executive vice president of academic affairs at The W. He will assume the role of interim president on July 1, 2026. Tollison served as interim provost for one year before he was officially approved as provost in 2019. He was dean of the College of Business and Professional Studies at The W from 2012-2018. A native of West Point, Tollison earned his undergraduate and master’s degree in business information systems at Mississippi State University. He earned his doctorate at MSU in 2009.

COPLAC Legislative Breakfast

Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kim Whitehead joined members of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) to discuss the mission and impact of public liberal arts institutions during the COPLAC Legislative Breakfast on January 22 at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. In 2027, The W will also host the COPLAC Summer Summit.