According to a recent announcement by the Mississippi Department of Education, Dr. Lance Evans has officially assumed the role of state superintendent of education in Mississippi on Monday.
Dr. Evans takes over as the new superintendent of the state, succeeding Dr. Raymond Morgigno, who held the position on an interim basis from July 2023 to June 2024.
In December 2023, the state board of education chose Dr. Evans following a nationwide search.
In March, Dr. Evans’ appointment received unanimous confirmation from the state senate.
With a career spanning over 20 years in education, Dr. Evans has dedicated his skills and expertise to serving Mississippi students in various roles. He has worked as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and district superintendent throughout his career.
Under his leadership, the New Albany School District achieved an impressive A-rating for five consecutive years, placing the district among the top 10% of school districts in the state. In addition, he implemented a workforce development program that provided career and technical education opportunities for students, fostering partnerships with local businesses. As the superintendent of the New Albany School District, he demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and equipping students with the necessary skills to succeed in the workforce.
Dr. Evans expressed his honor and humility as he started his role as the state superintendent of education. He eagerly anticipates working with educators, stakeholders, and communities to pioneer new pathways for graduates to attain success in their careers, college, and life.
As he began his tenure, Dr. Evans set out six key objectives for education in Mississippi:
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- “Updating the State Board Strategic Plan with stakeholder input to reflect current priorities for public education
- Restructuring support for low-performing districts by establishing a department within the MDE to focus on improving student outcomes and preventing the need for a state takeover
- Integrating workforce development and career and technical education through strong partnerships between districts and private businesses and industries
- Examining the accountability system to incentivize districts’ focus on workforce development
- Addressing the teacher shortage by assisting districts with recruiting and retaining teachers
- Increasing enrollment in public schools by creating equitable systems that attract families back to public education”
According to Dr. Evans, educating the students of the 21st century demands unconventional methods and a broad spectrum of techniques to guarantee the success of each individual student.
As educators, we understand that success can take on various forms and can differ from one student to another. It is our duty to ensure that we provide multiple and adaptable pathways to success. Every student deserves to have the chance to discover their own approach to success, without any roadblocks hindering their progress.
