The People

Faculty & staff

The full department: full-time faculty, adjunct faculty and the staff who keep the building running. The department office number reaches every desk.

Chair

Dr. Mark G. Henderson

Chair, Department of Speech Communication and Theatre · Founder and Artistic Director, MADDRAMA

Founder and artistic director of MADDRAMA (Making A Difference Doing Respectable and Meaningful Art), a troupe of Jackson State performers who tour nationally with an extensive repertoire of original plays and specialized performances. His students call him the “Star Maker,” and those he has mentored can be found on local, regional and Broadway stages as well as on the big screen.

A theatre director, motivational speaker and performer, he holds membership in the National Communication Association, the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts, Inc., the JSU National Alumni Association (Madison, MS chapter) and the Rho Xi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

This fall: Dr. Henderson performs in the world premiere of Slipping Through the Cracks: The Bobby Rush Musical by Stephen Helper and Bobby Rush at New Stage Theatre, October 20 – November 1, 2026.

B.A. Speech Communication Studies & Dramatic Art, Jackson State University
M.A. Communications & Urban Studies, Michigan State University
M.A. Theatre, Texas A&M University
Ph.D. Communications, University of Southern Mississippi

Email mark.g.henderson@jsums.eduPhone 601.979.2872Office Rose E. McCoy Auditorium

Faculty

Full-time teaching faculty

Yolanda Williams, MFA

Coordinator of Theatre, Directing and Stage Management

★ Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year, 2026

A native of Jackson, Mississippi. At Jackson State she coordinates Theatre, Directing and Stage Management, and directed the spring 2026 production of Everybody Black.

Education & directing credits

B.A., University of Dallas
M.F.A. Directing, University of Southern Mississippi
Young Leaders of Color, Theatre Communications Group

Directing credits include Mojo: A Black Love Story, The Bald Soprano, Intimate Apparel, Waiting for the Parade, Noises Off, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Antigone and For Colored Girls.

yolanda.r.williams@jsums.edu601.979.3335

Margaret Anderson, MA

Instructor of Speech & Communication · Coordinator, Speech Arts Core Course

A native of Clinton, Mississippi, she joined Jackson State in 2019 and coordinates the Speech Arts core course. Faculty advisor to JSU’s Lambda Pi Eta chapter and the department’s representative to the Mississippi Communication Association.

Education & background

M.A., University of Mississippi
B.A. Communication, Mississippi State University
Tepper-Gallegos Casting & Workshops, Los Angeles

A teacher of more than twenty years, she has directed and performed in community theatre productions including Blithe Spirit; Bell, Book, and Candle; and The Rainmaker. Her talent work spans voice-overs and commercials for radio and television and narrations for church and business productions, and she coaches students preparing for commercial acting tryouts.

601.979.2872

Rondee Gaines, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Speech Communication & Theatre

Dedicated to advancing student growth through rigorous academic instruction, creative performance and a commitment to excellence in communication and the theatrical arts.

Background & courses

Holds a Ph.D. and a Doctor of Ministry. Author of eight books, with research centered on narrative as a tool for lived experience, healing and community-building.

Her books, including A Black Woman’s Prayers: Giving Hope, Living Faith, & Being Light, are available on Amazon.

Teaching, Fall 2026: SPCH 201 Speech Arts · SPCH 218 Listening

j00497883@jsums.edu(609) 469-1893Website infinitelifecoaching.org

Sharon Miles

Visiting Assistant Professor

Department office 601.979.2872

Adjunct faculty

They carry a real share of the teaching in this department.

Adjunct