House Concurrent Resolution 49

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. VERNA R. TAYLOR UPON THE SPECIAL OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND UPON HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD OF EDUCATION.

WHEREAS, Verna R. Taylor, Ph.D., is being honored upon the special occasion of her retirement from Jackson State University (JSU) as an assistant professor of the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor, who has broadened the minds of both elementary and collegiate students throughout her vast career, retired from JSU in May of 2023; and

WHEREAS, as one who knows the importance of earning an education, Dr. Taylor earned the following degrees from JSU: bachelor of science criminal justice (1979); master of public policy and administration (1983); Ph.D. educational administration (1999) and master of arts criminal justice (2015); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor, before entering into the field of education, worked for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics from 1980-1981 as an intelligence analyst, and then from 1981-1988, she made contributions as a professional licensing officer for the Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning, where she used her expertise to help ensure that officers were properly trained throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, after selflessly serving as a state employee for nearly 10 years, Dr. Taylor began positively shaping the minds of young people by serving as an elementary teacher at Reynolds Christian Academy in Pasadena, California, from 1988-1990 before returning to the Magnolia State, where she served the Jackson Public School District as an in school suspension coordinator at Jim Hill High School and from 1991-1992, she served as the area coordinator for the 21st Century Program, for one year, at Hardy Middle School for at risk children; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor, began making contributions at her beloved alma mater, JSU, in 1992, where she served as the area coordinator/residence hall director at McAllister Whiteside Hall until 1999, and starting in that same year, 1999, she began mentoring the JSU Athletic Department Undergraduate Studies; and

WHEREAS, also, beginning in August of 1999 until Dr. Taylor's retirement, she served as an assistant professor with JSU's Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, where she helped students understand the complexities of society, crime and justice for students majoring in the critical fields of criminal justice and sociology; and

WHEREAS, from 2010-2019, Dr. Taylor also served as an adjunct professor at Hinds Community College, and during that time, beginning in 2014, she began servicing as the proxy for the Department Chairperson for the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, where she oversaw the daily functions of the department during the absence of the chair, which spoke volumes of her dynamic leadership skills; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor, throughout her distinguished career, has received several professional licensures, such as: State of Mississippi administrative educator license; certified trainer, Franklin Convey Program(s) Seven Habits of Highly Effective People under JSU License Agreement; certified public school teacher social studies/history and certified principal licensure; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Taylor also has a variety of professional affiliations and activities, some of which include: JSU Alumni Association Lifetime Member; American Civil Liberty Union; member of Phi Lambda Theta-International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education; member and advisor of Lamdbda Alpha Epsilon-Nu Omega Psi Chapter American Criminal Justice Association and advisor to Ronald McNair Research Scholar, and she has served on various committees at JSU throughout her active tenure; and

WHEREAS, due to her selfless service at JSU, Dr. Taylor has received a number of accolades, some of which include the following: Professor of the Game (Baseball 2017); First Time Faculty Advisor for College of Liberal Arts (2007); JSU Professor Who Inspired Alpha Kappa Muans (2000 and 2002) and Dedicated Professor Award from Criminal Justice Students (2001); and

WHEREAS, as a multi-talented woman who receives great joy in sharing her knowledge with others, Dr. Taylor has been featured as a speaker for many events, and she has made it an integral part of her career to serve her community in a myriad of ways, some of which include, serving on a mayoral policy board, conducting workshops to help others and helping the community through church service organizations and other entities; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor and recognize an inspirational assistant professor such as Dr. Taylor whose service for over thirty years in the field of education, with over 25 years served at her beloved alma mater, JSU, will never be forgotten by every student, faculty, staff and administrator who were positively impacted as well as blessed to work with her throughout her meaningful career:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Verna R. Taylor upon the special occasion of her retirement, and we wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Verna R. Taylor and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.