Mississippi Urban Research Center

Director

Dr. Sam Mozee Sr.

Dr. Sam Mozee, Jr., Director at the Mississippi Urban Research Center, earned the doctor of philosophy degree in public policy and administration from Jackson State University. Dr. Mozee’s dissertation research focused on examining job training programs in minority communities.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from JSU. Dr. Mozee has received specialized training in research, public policy, and community and economic development at the University of Oklahoma, University of Southern Mississippi, Carnegie-Mellon University, and the RAND Corporation’s Pardee Graduate School.  Dr. Mozee has more than 20 years of experience working  in research and planning organizations; state and local governmental units, and local non-profits. Dr. Mozee tenure at MURC started in September 2004.

 

Phone: (601) 979-4204

Email: sam.mozee@jsums.edu 

 

Associate Director for Research

Dr. Melinda Todd

Dr. Melinda Todd., Associate Director for Research at the Mississippi Urban Research Center, holds a doctor of public health degree from Jackson State University’s School of Public Health. Her dissertation research addressed parents of children with autism and their access to support groups.  Additionally, Dr. Todd holds a Master’s degree in public health with a concentration in health education and health promotion from JSU, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Mississippi College. Dr. Todd is a Master Level Certified Health Educator (MCHES®) and is a certified prevention manager (CPM). Dr. Todd has over 20 years of experience with grant writing and health education program development. Her current research interests include public and urban health issues, community health education, violence prevention, and mental health.

Phone: 601-979-1174

Email: melinda.g.todd@jsums.edu

 

Researchers

Sheryl Bacon 

Research Associate/ Analyst

Sheryl L. Bacon joined the MURC staff in 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Services (2011), and a Master’s in Public Administration (2013) from Belhaven University. After working for nearly a decade in the private sector as a Senior Data Analyst/Processor with ACS/Xerox, she decided to pursue a formal career in public service, and is currently ABD in the doctoral program in Public Policy and Administration at Jackson State University. Her doctoral concentration is Environmental Policy, Planning, and Management, and her research priority area at MURC is Community and Economic Development.

Phone: (601) 979-1409

Email: sheryl.l.bacon@jsums.edu

 

 

Dr. Michael Tornes

Evaluation Specialist

Dr. Michael Tornes, an Evaluation Specialist at the Mississippi Urban Research Center, earned his doctor of philosophy degree in organizational communication from the University of Oklahoma. His dissertation addressed the socialization of employees in a multi-departmental organization through the context of work teams. Dr. Tornes has worked on evaluation projects involving school-based health and wellness programs in the Oakland and San Francisco (CA) school districts. He also has experience working in the nonprofit sector in Louisiana and Mississippi. His current research interests are in education, specifically trauma-informed schools, charter schools, and the declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs.

 

 

Phone: 601-979-6355

Email: michael.tornes@jsums.edu

 

 

Ashley Mcphearson

Administrative Assistant

 

Ashley Mcphearson currently serves as MURC’s Administrative Assistant.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Jackson State University and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Belhaven University.  She has been working at Jackson State University since 2015.  Her specialty area of research is COVID-19 and Community Development.  She enjoys learning and applying new knowledge to help solve societal problems .

 

 

Phone: (601) 979-1386

Email:   ashley.j.mcphearson@jsums.edu