Mississippi Urban Research Center

The Mississippi Urban Research Center employees hold degrees on the bachelor’s through doctoral levels, as well as discipline-specific national certifications.  Staff members also possess a wide range of expertise and career experiences in the public, private, governmental sectors and non-profit sectors.

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

 

James Kelley 

Research Associate/Analysis

 

 

Phone: (601) 979-1169

Email:  james.e.kelley@jsums.edu       

 

 

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

 

 

 

Ms. Shernica Ferguson

Evaluation Specialist

 

 

 

Phone: 601-979-6355

          Email:  shernica.l.ferguson@jsums.edu               

 

 

 

Kenya Dotson

Administrative Assistant

 

 

Ms. Kenya Dotson is the Administrative Assistant for MURC. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Jackson State University and a Master’s degree in Leadership from Belhaven University. She has over 20 years’ experience working with educational programs performing administrative, managerial, project management, and customer service activities. She enjoys working with children and young adults by providing them with educational information and pathways that should sustain them through life if navigated properly with passion, determination and hard-work. Her current research includes investigating the use and potential impact of social media in public school classrooms.

 

Phone: (601) 979-1386

Email: Kenya.m.dotson@jsums.edu